Page:A history of Chile.djvu/73

 THE COLONIAL PERIOD 6i the three named by Valdivia to take charge of the government in the event of his death. At the time of his death, Valdivia's agent, Alderete, was at the court of Spain soliciting a marquisate and the inde- pendent governorship of Chile for his superior. Philip II. had succeeded his father, Charles V., on the throne of Spain, and learning of the death of Valdivia forth- with gave the government and conquest of Chile in charge of Alderete, furnishing him for that purpose six hundred soldiers and a ship. Alderete's sister appears to have been a reader of sixteenth century novels, and furthermore was accustomed to read in bed. While at this pleasant occupation one night, she accidentally set the ship on fire. The vessel was burned ; Alderete and three soldiers were all that escaped. The former, overcome with grief, died on the island of Taboga. It was upon hearing of these things, that the viceroy of Peru had appointed his son to the governorship of Chile. Villagran thereupon went to Europe to seek personally from the court his reinstatement in the office to which he had been appointed by Valdivia. Mendoza, or as he is generally called, Don Garcia, anchored his ten ships in Concepcion bay near the island of Quiriquina. He had brought a large number of soldiers from Peru, together with a great quantity of military stores; with these he determined to make such a display as would intimidate the natives. The latter opposed his landing on the island', but a few rounds of artillery firing sent them flying on their balsas for the mainland. Don Garcia captured two of them and these he appointed as emissaries to visit the neighboring Araucanians and to inform them that he desired to negotiate with them a lasting treaty of peace. Caupolican, acting upon a suggestion from old Colo-