276 A VOYAGE TO Book VIII. 



the chief, calling on his cuftomers in his way, and ac- 

 quainting them that he is on his return home. Upon 

 this fummons, not one fails of bringing him to the 

 chiefs hut, what had been agreed on. Here they 

 take their leave of him, with all the appearance of a 

 fincere friendfhip, and the chief even orders fome 

 Indians to efcort him to the frontiers, and aflift him 

 in driving the cattle he has received in exchange for 

 his goods. 



Formerly, and even till the year 1724, thefe 

 traders carried large quantities of wine, of which, as 

 well as of all other inebriating liquors, the Indians 

 are immoderately fond ; but on account of the tu- 

 mults and wars that arofe from the intemperate ufe 

 of fpirituous liquors, this branch of trade has been 

 fupprefied, and no more wine allowed to be carried 

 ' into the Indian territories, than what fhall be judged 

 neceffary to give the mafters of families a cup by way 

 of compliment, and a very fmall quantity for trading. 

 The happy efFedls of this prohibition are felt on both 

 fides ; the Spaniards live in fafety, and the Indians in 

 peace and tranquility. They are very fair dealers, 

 never receding from what has been agreed on, and 

 pundual in their payments. It is indeed furprizing 

 that a whole people, who are almoft ftrangers to 

 government, and favage in their manners, fhould, 

 amidft the uncontrouled gratification of the moft enor- 

 mous vices, have fo dehcate a fenfe of juflice, as to 

 obferve it in the moft irreproachable manner in their 

 dealings. 



All the Indians of Arauco, Tucapel, and others 

 inhabiting the more Ibuthern parts of the banks of the 

 river Biobio, and alfo thofe who live near the Cordil- 

 lera, have hitherto fruftrated all attempts made for re- 

 ducing them under the Spanifh government. Por in 

 this boundlefs country, as it may be called, when 

 ftrongly pufhed, they abandon their huts, and retire 

 ioto the more diftant parts of the kingdom, where 



being 



