WRECK OF THE CHALLENGER. 93 



rocks, and take her round to the entrance of the 

 Leubu ; but it was not persisted in, from the 

 little chance of success ; the strength and exer- 

 tions of the crew being, also, of much more con- 

 sequence for other purposes. The governor of 

 Arauco had procured a small ox, which he pre- 

 sented to the Captain, and which we killed for the 

 mess. Towards the evening a messenger ar- 

 rived with despatches from Arauco for the 

 governor, informing him that a body of 600 

 hostile Indians, under the cacique Cadin, were 

 within two days' march of us, and that SOOO 

 more were assembled on the hills to support 

 them. This intelligence, with other reports, 

 was sufficient to keep us on the alert, and in- 

 creased our desire to leave our present encamp- 

 ment for one where, w^e hoped, we should feel 

 less apprehension of being molested. Spies were 

 immediately sent in the direction of the hostile 

 Indians. The usual preparations were made for 

 the night, with a muster, and discharge and re- 

 load, of the small arms. 



June 5. — Northerly winds and fine weather, 

 with occasional fog. Busily employed in for- 

 warding baggage to the Leubu, as our means of 

 carriage permitted. The caciques came again in 



