42 



mi those who had passed their Unes, destroy many, and oblige the 

 rest to save themselves by a precipitate flight. The Indians, for- 

 getting the orders of their Leader, in the ardour of vengeance sally 

 forth in pursuit of their flying enemy. Lautaro recalls them by 

 the sound of a military horn, which he blows with the utmost vio- 

 lence. They return, but dare not appear in the presence of their 

 oifended Commander. He issues new restrictions ; and then sum- 

 moning his soldiers together, addresses them in a. spirited, yet 

 calm and affectionate harangue, on the necessity of martial obedi- 

 ence. While he is yet speaking, the Spaniards return to the at- 

 tack, but are again repulsed with great loss. They retreat, and 

 encamp at the foot of the mountain, unmolested by their enemies* 



CANTO XIL 



THE Spaniards remain in their camp, while two of their ad- 

 venturous soldiers engage to return once more to the fort, and ex- 

 amine the state of it. On their approach, one of them is saluted 

 by his name, and promised security, by a voice from within the 

 wails. Lautaro had formerly lived with him on terms of friend- 

 ship, and now invites him into the fort. The Indian Chief harangues 

 on the resolution and the power of his countrymen to exterminate 

 the Spaniards, unless they submit. He proposes, however, terms 

 of accommodation to his old friend, and specifies the tribute he 

 should expect. The Spaniard answers with disdain, that the only 

 tribute the Indians would receive from his countrymen would be 

 torture and death. Lautaro replies, with great temper, that arms, 

 and the valour of the respective nations, must determine this point ; 

 and proceeds to entertain his guest with a display of six Indians, 

 whom he had mounted and trained to exercise on Spanish horses. 

 The Spaniard challenges the whole party : Lautaro wiU not allow 

 him to engage in any conflict, but dismisses him in peace. He re- 

 calls him, before he had proceeded far from the fort, ^and, telling 

 him that his soldiers were much distressed by the want of provision, 

 entreats him to send a supply, affirming it to be true heroism to re- 

 lieve an enemy from the'necessities of famine. The Spaniard sub- 

 scribes to the sentiment, and engages, if possible, to comply with, 

 the request. Returning to the camp, he acquaints his Commander 

 Villagran with all that had passed ; who, suspecting some danger- 

 ous design from Lautaro, decamps hastily in the night to regain 

 h.i city. The Indian Chief is severely mortified by their departure^ 



