Such iniquitous measures did not fail to raise up new opponents. Mustees, Mulattoes, and even Spaniards, went over to the enemy. In aggravation, however, of their late misfortunes, their little army, consisting of 80U men under Paynenancu, venturing to engage the whole Spanish forces, was cut off almost to a man, and their in trepid leader taken and executed. In this deplorable ex igence, extraordinary efforts were exerted to retrieve their sinking affairs. Messengers, with symbolical ar rows, were speedily dispersed through the cuuntry, and at length succeeded in mustering a respectable force. But the Spania Is still maintained a formidable ascen dency. The 'Vogul Cayeneura having lost several en gagements, and finding his designs against the fortress of Arauco completely frustrated by another defeat, re tired in disgust, resigning the command to his son Nan goniel, who was soon after slain in an ambuscade.
At this period, (1586,) the English made a feeble ef fort to supplant the Spanish interests in Chili. Sir Tho mas Cavendish, with only three vessels, landed a few troops at the port of Quintero, and began tampering with the natives. Ile was soon attacked, however, and driven off by the corrigidor of St Jago.
The succeeding T ()pis, Cadeguala, Guanaolca, Quin tigenu, and Pailaeco, though each could boast of some gallant exploit, were none of them able to expel the ene my. The first fell at Puren in single combat with Gar cia Ramon, commander of the place. Guanaolca suc ceeded in capturing the forts of Purcn, Trinidad, and Spirito Santo, but effected nothing more of importance ; and the Spaniards were still left masters of the country. The period, however, of this Toqui's power was suffi ciently signalized by the retributory valour of Janiqueo, an Araucanian heroine, who, stimulated by the loss of her husband to gird on the sword of vengeance, and, in con junction with her blather, heading a troop of Puelches, carried devastation through the colonies, and severely Harassed the operations of the Spanish army. She was at last, however, entirely defeated on the mountains of Villarica, with the complete dispersion of her followers. Q u nti g u en u began his short career with all the ardour and expectation of a youthful hero. He carried hy as sault the fort of Alareguenu. The Spaniards assailed it in turn, and were, for the first time, victorious on that celebrated mountain. The young Toqui perffirmed all that glory could inspire, and perished with the greater part of his army. Pailaeco, like Nangoniel, fell in his first enterprise, not a single Araucanian having escaped the slaughter.
Thus after a rapid succession of seven Toquis, none of whom were deficient in courage, and some of them ex ci ting a degree of military energy which merited, and at first seemed to promise a more prosperous event, the Spaniards still maintained possession of the country. Both parties, however, were extremely exhausted, and while the Araucanians, with their new Toqui, returned once more to the marshes of Lumaco, the Spanish com mander, finding his forces so much reduced as to render impossible the vigorous prosecution of his advantages without very considerable reinforcements, went in person to Peru, for the pui pose of more readily obtaining them.
At Lima he met with Don Martin Loyola, commissioned to supersede him. This officer, on his arrival at Con ception, was visited by a deputy from Paillamachu, whose true purpose by the message was not merely, as pretended, the formality of congratulation, but, if possi ble, under that pretence, to discover the views and tem per of his new antagonist.* The period of Loyola's go vernment was singularly unfortunate. He began his ad ministration by founding (1594) the city of Cuya, intend ed for the double purpose of protecting the mines of Kil hcoya, and as a place of retreat for the inhabitants of Angol ; but he could not save the colonies from the pre. datory incursions of Paillamachu. This aged Toqui led forth his soldiers, in 1596, to gather subsistence from the enemy's territory, and by the rapidity of his movements eluded all pursuit. He took by storm the fortress of Lumaco, which, in order to repress his excursions, had been erected on the borders of the marsh. Soon after wards, by one fortunate blow, he redeemed the liberties of his country. Loyola, returning from Araucania, had, upon reaching the frontiers, dismissed the greater part of his escort, when Paillamachu came upon him during the night with 200 men, surprised him in his rash secu rity, and slew him with all his attendants. This exploit seems to have been confidently anticipated by the Arau canians, and, by previous concert, was appointed the sig nal for a general insurrection. Within two days, all the Spanish settlements from the Biobio to the Archipelago of Chiloe were attacked by the enemy, and their cities closely iurtsted. While the victorious Toqui, seizing this moment of surprise and trepidation,t crossed the frontiers, took Conception and Chillan, ravaged the pro vinces, and loaded his troops with their plunder. Not withstanding, however, the general consternation, Pedro de Viscaza, with what troops he could muster, boldly entered Araucania, and happily succeeded in withdraw ing the inhabitants of Angol and Cop.. With these he re-peopled the deserted cities of Conception and Chillan. Their apprehensions were considerably allayed by the ar rival of Don Francisco Quinones as governor, with a supply of soldiers and military stores. Still, however, the numerous sieges in Araucania were pressed with vi gour by the natives, and some indecisive engagements produced the evacuation of Canete and Amoco, while the disappointed Quinones vented all the fury of his un manly temper on a few wretched captives. Shortly af terwards Valdivia fell into the hands of Paillamachu, who stormed its fortifications, after swimming with his troops across the river. Its capture put the enemy in possession of two millions of dollars, a great number of cannon, with four hundred prisoners.