201 



Bio-bio. He also sent orders to the sergeant-piajor 

 to raise as many recruits as possible throughout, the 

 kingdom, who, in consequence, brought him two thou- 

 sand horse, and a considerable number of ipfantry. 



Notwithstanding his losses, the Araucanian ge- 

 neral resolved to take advantage of the retreat of the 

 governor to attack the fort of Arauco. In order to 

 render more secure the success of the enterprise, he 

 endeavoured to divert the Spanish forces in every 

 quarter. For this purpose he ordered Guepotan to 

 make incursions into the territory of Villarica from 

 the fort of Liben, where he had supported himself for 

 several years. To C adiguala, who was afterwards in- 

 vested with the supreme command, he gave charge to 

 harrass the inhabitants of Angol ; and appointed Ta- 

 rochina to guard the shores >of the Bio-bio ; while 

 Melilanca and Gatipillan were sent against Impels 

 rial. These officers had several encounters with; the 

 Spaniards, attended with various success. Guepotan 

 lost the fort of Liben, which was taken by the bro- 

 ther of the governor, while Tarochina made himself 

 master of a great number of boats on the Bio- bio, 

 that were conducting supplies of men and warlike 

 stores to the forts newly erected upon that river. 



In 1586 Cayancura began his intended siege, by 

 surrounding the place with strong lines, so as not 

 only to intercept all succours, but also to prevent the 

 retreat of the garrison. From these preparations 

 the besieged perceiving that they must ñnally be 

 compelled to surrender or perish with hunger, 

 thought it better to die with arms in their hands 

 than to be reduced to this ex treni ity j they therefore 

 Vol, II C c * ^ ■ ' " 



