Narrative of the surveying voyages of his majesty's ships Adventure and Beagle (vol.2): between the years 1826 and 1836 : describing their examination of the southern shores of South America, and the Beagles's circumnavigation of the globe

LIXCOYA CAUPOLICAN. 441 great distance, and ought to rest. Until the next morning, therefore, the trial was postponed. Durina- the night. s;reat excitement animated the vast mul- titude. The strength and ability of Caupolican were well known ; even Lincoya doubted tlie result ; he had deemed his only rival far off; and the antics in which he had indulged had prematurely exhausted his strength. At daybreak the tribes again assembled, and as the sun rose, Caupolican lifted the tree, and quietly poised it upon his shoulder. His manner, and the ease with which he placed his burthen, excited the surprise and admiration of all, except Lincoya, whose spirits sunk as he watched the cautiously guarded manner and easy movements of his rival. During that day and the following night, lighted by the full moon ; during the whole of the next day, and throughout the second night, did Caupolican sustain that overpowering weight which men of common strength could only bear during a very feAV hours : and when the sun rose on the third morning, the still untired chief lifted the tree above his head, and dashed it to the ground, with an effort which showed that his powers were far from being exhausted. He was unanimously chosen general, amidst extraordinary shouting and applause : and no sooner had the other caciques acknowledged his authority, than he began to take measures for acting immediately against the Spaniards. Arauco, their nearest strong hold, was to be attacked. Eighty chosen men approached, disguised as the serving In- dians, who supplied the Spanish soldiers with firewood, and forage for their horses. Each man, with his load of fuel or grass, in which his arms were hidden, advanced unsuspected to the fort, when, by preconcerted signal, they threw down their loads and attacked the unprepared Spaniards. This assault was the signal for other Indians to rush towards the fort ; but the Spaniards, although surprised, made so good a defence, that almost all the eighty chosen men were killed, and no others could gain admittance. The whole Indian mviltitude then sur- rounded Arauco ; and the Spaniards, seeing that they must be