58 



1 



And there secure, for the remaining road 

 Was clear and open to her own abode, 

 She gratefully declin'd my farther care, 

 And thankVi and bless'dme in a parting prayer. 



On Ercilla's return, the Spaniards continue to strengthen their 

 fort. They receive intelligence from an Indian ally, that the Barba- 

 rian army intend a fresh assault in tlie night. They are relieved from 

 this alarm by the arrival of a large reinforcement from the Spa- 

 nish cities in Chili: — on which event Colocólo prevails on the In- 

 dians to suspend the attack. Caupolican, the Indian General, 

 reviews all his forces ; and the various Chieftains are well des- 

 cribed. The Spanish Commander, Don Garcia, being now deter- 

 mined to march into the hostile district of Arauco, addresses his 

 soldiers in a spirited harangue, requesting them to remember the 

 pious cause for which they fight, and to spare the life of every 

 Indian who is disposed to submission. They remove from their 

 post, and pass in boats over the broad river Biobio. 



CANTO XXII. 



THE Spaniards are attacked in their new quarters — a furidiis 

 battle ensues. The Spaniards are forced to give ground, but at 

 last prevail The Indian Chief, Rengo, signalizes himself in the 

 action ; defends himself in a marsh, and retreats in good order 

 with his forces. The Spaniards, after the conflict, seize an un- 

 happy straggling Youth, named Galvarino, whom they punish as 

 a rebel in the most barbarous manner, by cutting off both his 

 hands. The valianjt Youth defies their cruelty in the midst of 

 this horrid scene; and, brandishing his bloody stumps, departs 

 from his oppressoi's with the most insulting menaces of revenge. 



CANTO XXIII & XXIV. 



GALVARINO appears in the Assembly of the Indian Chieftains, 

 and excites them, in a very animated speech, to revenge the bar- 

 barity with which he had been treated. He faints from loss of 

 blood, in the close of his harangue, but is recovered by the care 

 of his friends, and restored to health. The Indians, exasperated 



