Leaving the settlement of Imperial, Valdivia pushed toward the south, seeing a favorable opportunity for attacking Lincoyan, who timidly kept out of his way. Passing through Arauco, the Spanish leader came to the river Callacalla, beyond which was the territory of the Cunches, allies of the Araucanians. Here again a native woman, more humane than the Spanish Inez Suarez, interceded for the Spaniards. Recloma persuaded the Cunches, who were in battle array on the opposite side of the river, to permit the Spaniards to pass.
Upon the southern shore of the river, Valdivia perpetuated his name by founding his sixth city and calling it Valdivia. The city attained some early importance, on account of the discovery of gold mines in the vicinity, and the harbor, which was one of the best on the southern coast.
On his return north in 1553, Valdivia built fortresses in the provinces of Puren, Tucapel and Arauco, to protect his settlements and form bases for future military operations. These forts were, indeed, bases for many future military enterprises. At Santiago, he received a body of troops and 350 horses. With this increase of his forces, he determined to dispatch Aguirre with two hundred men to conquer the provinces of Cujo and Tucumen, east of the Andes. Valdivia himself soon returned to the province of Encol and there founded his seventh and last city, Angol.
Returning to Concepcion, after having regulated the affairs of his new city, Valdivia instituted the military offices of quartermaster-general, serjeant-major and commissary, then sent Alderete to Spain with an account of his conquests and a large amount of gold for the purpose of obtaining for him the long wished-for title of Marquis of Arauco and the perpetual gov-
