62 A HISTORY OF CHILE colo, dispatched to the Spaniards, Millalauco, an Indian of a diplomatic turn of mind, with instructions to congratulate the new governor upon his arrival and to express the wish that an amicable settlement might be reached ; but in reality, the envoy was to ascertain the strength of the Spanish camp, for the ulmenes had no notion of entering into a treaty of peace. They doubted the intention of the Spaniards too seriously to think of permitting them to obtain a firm footing in their territories. The Spaniards sought to impress upon Millalauco their importance and strength, and so conducted him about their camp, saluting him with the artillery and regaling him' magnificently. All which Millalauco accepted like a Stoic, and, returning home, gave Caupolican full information of the strength of this new arrival of invaders. Caupolican immediately placed sen- tinels in such a manner that the movements of the Spaniards could be at all times observed, and then took up his axe of authority and prepared for war. Don Garcia's cavalry forces had not been placed aboard the ten ships, but were making their way over- land from Peru under the command of Garcia Ramon, the quartermaster-general. The governor, therefore, decided to await the arrival of these before beginning an active campaign against the Indians. For this purpose, and also that he might obtain what troops the cities of his jurisdiction could furnish, he re- mained in camp on the island from April until Au- gust.
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