Page:A history of Chile.djvu/89

THE COLONIAL PERIOD 77 of Cliacao was founded on the island. No opposi- tion was encountered from the peaceable inhabitants, though these islands are said to have had at the time a dense population of more than seventy thou- sand people, industrious, mechanical, quick to learn, good seamen, but rather timid in disposition. In language and appearance they were similar to their fierce Araucanian neighbors, but their island home had protected them from the wars which raged for generations along the Maule and Biobio, until they had become in habits pacific agriculturists. They submitted to a handful of Spaniards, and their seventy- six ulmenes henceforth became subject to the Spanish authority. The Araucanians had apparently been a bulwark protecting their southern neighbors against old Tupac Yupanqui's arms, and those of his succes- sors, for a hundred years. It is creditable to these warlike tribes of southern Chile that they had not turned their arms for pillage against the rich country, the well tilled fields and prosperous communities, of their wild neighbors. In fact, there is much in the Araucanian character which claims our admiration. They were heroic but not usually savage, brave but not often cruel. As the governors of Chile from Valdivia to Quiroga had not succeeded in subjugating the Araucanian nation, and as it seemed highly important that the conquest of this rich country should be effectively accomplished, Philip II. detached Chile, in a measure, from the government of Peru and established an inde- pendant Roval Audience for the political and military government of the country. Quiroga was removed and the command of the army given to Ruiz de Gamboa, who at once hastened to Caiiete where Paillataru was preparing to begin a siege. The two armies met near