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 THE COLONIAL PERIOD 67 ing sleep, as they were accustomed to do after their nightly vigils. Reynoso bade Andres carry out his plan. This was done ; but when a certain number of the Indians had rushed inside the fortification the gates were closed ; the cannons, loaded with grape- shot, were turned upon those without, while those within were slaughtered in a hand to hand combat, with the exception of three ulmenes who were taken prisoners, and who were afterward tied to the mouths of cannons and blown into shreds. The cavalry sallied from the gates and fell upon those of Caupolican's forces without which had chanced to escape the can- nonading. Caupolican, with a few followers, escaped to the mountains. Having brought the Araucanian war to a successful termination, Don Garcia rebuilt Concepcion, and then undertook an expedition against the Cunches (1558). These Indians had not yet been at war with the con- quistadores, although one of the allied tribes of _the Araucanians, as their territory was situated in the south of Chile and at some distance from Concepcion. The story is told that when the Cunches first heard of the arrival of Don Garcia's forces, they met in a great council to canvass the situation. One Tuncono- bal, an Araucanian exile, chanced to be present and advised them to hide all their gold arid other property and to send such presents as would lead the Spaniards to believe the country destitute of all those riches which alone would make it appear valuable in their eyes. This was done. Tunconobal was dispatched to meet the Spaniards, clothed in rags, shaking with fear, and bearing a basket of baked lizards and fruits. This had the desired effect ; looking upon Tuncono- bal and his shaking companions, the Spaniards burst out laughing and inquired of them the best road south.