In 1537 Almagro received a further reinforcement under Juan de Rada, and he was at the same time urged by letters from his friends in _Peru_ to return to that country and to take possession of _Cuzco_. He, however, pursued his march and passed the river _Cachapoal_, notwithstanding the remonstrances of his Peruvian followers, who dreaded to enter the country of the warlike _Promaucians_. As usually happened, the aspect of the Spaniards, with their horses and firearms, struck terror into their opponents. These, however, recovering from their surprise, regained at the same time their wonted intrepidity. A battle took place on the _Rio-Claro_. The Peruvians, who were in the front, were soon routed; and although the Spaniards, after a furious struggle, which lasted until nightfall, remained masters of the field, the enemy were in no degree dismayed. They were prepared to renew the attack next morning; but the Spaniards had had enough of fighting for the present, and resolved by common consent to retreat rather than face a campaign before so warlike a people. A portion of Almagro’s force would have formed a settlement in northern _Chili_; but it was their leader’s object not to lessen his strength, and he accordingly retreated with his whole band towards _Cuzco_. [Sidenote: 1540.] Three years after the above-mentioned occurrences, when the Pizarros, by the death of Almagro, were undisputed lords of _Peru_, Francisco determined to renew an attempt on _Chili_. The enterprise had been confided by the court of Spain to two adventurers, named respectively Hoz and Carmargo. The former was to undertake the conquest of the country to the north of the river _Maule_; the latter was to reduce the territory southward of that stream as far as to the archipelago of _Chiloë_. But Pizarro, for some undivulged reason, declined to confirm the royal nomination, and appointed in his own name to the expedition Pedro de Valdivia, an able and well-tried officer, and one devoted to his party. Valdivia, however, was directed to take Hoz with him, and to satisfy him with a liberal distribution of land.