CHAPTER III
opening and conquering the country—la serena, concepción and other cities founded
The history of these early days in Chile has its Pocahontas story. It runs in this wise: As the state of affairs at Santiago was in a critical condition, Valdivia determined to send Monroy and Miranda, with six companions in arms and thirty men on horseback, to Peru for assistance. With spurs and caparisons of gold, that they might make an enviable impression upon their countrymen in Peru, they set forth overland. At Copiapo they were attacked by a certain Coteo, whose band destroyed the whole company, sparing only the two leaders. These they brought before the ulmen, who decided to put them to death forthwith, by some sort of refined torture. The ulmen's wife thereupon interceded for their lives, and, having softened the cacique's savage heart, unbound the captives, dressed their wounds, and then made a certain request of them, which was in substance that they should teach her son to ride a horse. This they promised to do. But while they were giving his young highness his first lesson, Monroy stabbed him; at the same time Miranda seized a lance and put the guards to flight. Not stopping to say adieu to their
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