247 



ver, more bitter to them than death* Whenever 

 they came in sight of land, which is very common 

 during that navigation, they hesitated not to throw 

 themselves overboard, in the hope of escaping by 

 swimming and returning to their country. Many 

 had the good fortune to save themselves in this man- 

 ner ; but those who were not able to elude the vi- 

 gilance of the sailors, as soon as they were landed 

 on the island, or at the port of Callao, exposed them- 

 selves to every peril to eíFect their escape and return 

 to their much loved country, coasting with incred- 

 ible fatigue the immense space of ocean between 

 that port and the river Bio-bio. Even their relations, 

 more solicitous to deliver them from the miseries of 

 exile than from death itself, when they were con- 

 demned to that punishment, frequently sent embas- 

 sies to the governor to negotiate their ransom, but 

 he always refused to consent to it, until they had 

 laid down their arms and submitted to his orders. 



Laso had greatly at heart the performance of the 

 promise, which, like several of his predecessors, he 

 had made the king, of putting an end to the war. 

 He of course put in operation, every means possible 

 of attaining that end. Indeed, no one was more ca^ 

 pable of succeeding; but he had to contend with 

 an invincible people. Nevertheless, he employed 

 every measure that military science suggested to 

 him, to effect their subjugation ; now endeavouring 

 by his victories to humble their pride, now ravaging 

 their country with fire and sword, and now^restraii>- 

 ing them by the construction of fortresses in diffe- 

 rent places in their territory. He also founded a city 



