Garcia having thus given a farther display of his san guinary temper, marched into the heart of Araucania, and on the memorable scene of Valdivia's overthrow, built and fortified the town of Canete, provided it with a numerous garrison under Alonzo Reynoso, and returned in triumph to Imperial.
Canete was quickly assaulted by the Araucanians, hut with more valour than success. At length, the irritation of defeat and disappointment, drew Caupolican from his usual caution, and made him for once relax from the stern dignity of the national character. In his eagerness to destroy the enemy, he entered into a plot, in which. from a sense of honour, the other chiefs disdained to participate, and which, in its execution, was turned against himself, and proved the destruction of his brave army. A Chilese, one of the Spanish auxiliaries, was engaged to deliver up Canete to the Araucanians. The traitor, however, played a double part. Ile discovered the whole transaction to Reynoso, who having taken the necessary measures, admitted a part only of the Arau canian forces, overpowered and cut them to pieces ; while the cannon of the place, and a charge from the Spanish cavalry, completed the destruction of those without. Caupolican was among the small number that escaped, and with a few domestics took refuge in the mountains. Three Ulmens, taken alive, were blown to pieces from the mouths of cannon.
In the confidence that Araucania was now in a state of security, Garcia projected an expedition southwards ; and leaving instructions for the rebuilding of Concep tion, led his army against the Conches. This people, by the advice of an Araucanian exile, adopted a singu lar expedient for averting the threatened invasion ; an expedient, however, perfectly suited to the sordid tem per of their invaders. While the inhabitants concealed their property in the woods, an embassy, fitted out in all the semblance of poverty and wretchedness, was dis patched to meet the Spanish commander. The whole appearance of these ragged messengers, with the pre sent they laid before the governor, while it excited the mirth, repressed the ardour of his soldiers. But Garcia, though himself deceived, encouraged them with the hopes of a happier country beyond this miserable region, and required a guide from the inhabitants. One of the ambassadors undertook this office. In order to sup port the delusion, he conducted the Spaniards by a rough and desolate route, along the sea coast, and after four days march, having entangled them amidst a desert of precipices, secretly returned to his friends. After sur mounting the severest privations, the Spaniards were at length gladdened with the prospect of relief, when, on the 31st of January, they came in sight of the great Archipelago of Ancund, or Chiloe, which lay extended before them. They were saluted by tho hospitable natives with a frank and fearless cordiality, and supplied in abundance, and gratuitously, with fish, fruit, and maize. These Islanders had evidently attained some
degree of civilization. They were handsomely clothed ; agriculture was practised among them, and in some of the islands had made considerable progress : they em ployed sails, also, in navigating their periaguas. Pleas ed with the discovery, Garcia returned to Imperial, one of the friendly Chilotes serving as a guide to his army ; and in passing through the country of the Huifiches founded, or, according to some, only rebuilt the town of Osorno.
In the mean time, the illustrious Caupolican was be trayed into the power of Reynoso, and ignominiously impaled. Revnoso, after the infamous example of his superior, had long attempted, by tortures and promises, to procure intelligence of his retreat. A traitor at last appeared among that faithful people. Under his guid ance, a Spanish detachment was conducted to the moun tains, and surprised the general in the midst of his family. The conduct of Caupolican's wife upon this occasion is remarkable, and affords one example, among many, of that lofty and implacable temper, which has long sup ported, and still supports, the independence of Araucania. Perceiving that Caupolican, notwithstanding- her unceas ing exhortation, that he should die rather than surren der, had, after a brave resistance, yielded himself to the enemy, she tossed after him her infant son, with this haughty exclamation, that gi she would retain nothing that belonged to a coward." The Araucanian spirit was effectually roused by the insulting execution of their Toqui. Young Caupolican, who inherited the talents and cool intrepidity of his father, was immediately elected in his room. Twice he defeated the Spaniards under Reynoso, but failed in his attempts upon Imperial, where Garcia commanded in person. The succeeding operations were conducted with various success. Many battles were fought, but with little advantage to either party. At length, Cau polican, pLrccivii,g that the enemy were continually strengthened with fresh reinforcements, and himself weakened even by success, determined to prolong the war ; and, for this pui pose, fortified his army in a position almost impregnable at Quipeo. Here Garcia brought all his troops to the assault. The fierce Araucanians, impatient under a galling cannonade, were soon drawn to a rash and furious sally. The Spaniard saw his ad vantage, cut off their retreat, and after a severe struggle, which, for many hours, remained doubtful, succeeded in overpowering them. The Araucanians were almost ex terminated. The loss of Caupolican, Tucapel, and Colo coio, with most of their bravest chieftains, was the bitter fruit of their temerity. Caupolican, finding retreat im practicable, is said to have perished by his own hands, rather than yield himself a prisoner.