Page:A history of Chile.djvu/61

Rh the fugitives. As at the slaughter of Caxamarca when Atahualpa was seized, and as in one of Cortez' battles when De Morla came riding up on a dapplegray horse, St. James was again, in this instance, alleged by the Spaniards to have aided their cause in putting to flight the natives; he rode up on a white charger and with his flaming sword struck terror into their ranks.

Valdivia was so well pleased with Concepcion that he determined to establish himself there, to subjugate the Araucanians, and then to ask of Spain the provinces of Arauco and Tucapel, with the title of marquis. A marquisate of a wilderness and tribes of unconquerable savages was something in those days. He published statutes for the government of the city, established police and regulated the affairs of the place. These things occupied his attention during the remainder of the year 1551.

The following year, having received reinforcements, he determined to attack again the Araucanians and hoped this time to subdue them. He marched into their territory without encountering serious opposition and, at the confluence of the rivers Cauten and Damas, founded the city of Imperial, naming it in honor of Charles V. This city flourished for a time, as we shall see, but was laid waste and abandoned because of the incessant wars of the frontiers.

Valdivia now believed himself master of the country and therefore determined to apportion the territory and natives among his followers. But this time the grants were more fanciful than real, for the Araucanians were not to be made vassals so easily. Alderete was dispatched with sixty men to found a settlement on the shore of Lake Lauquen. Gold was found there and the place given the name of Villarica.