The successful result of this enterprise induced Caupolican once more to undertake the sieges of _Imperial_ and _Valdivia_; whilst Lautaro, on his part, engaged to make a diversion by marching against _St. Iago_. In order to carry this project into execution, he selected but six hundred men out of all who pressed to join his standard. With these he traversed the provinces lying between the _Bio-bio_ and the _Maúle_, carefully respecting the property of the natives. When he had passed this latter river, however, he devastated the lands of the Promaucians, who were attached to the Spanish interest. He then fortified himself in an advantageous post on the _Rio Claro_, with a view to gaining information respecting the city he proposed to attack. This ill-timed delay gave breathing space to the inhabitants of _St. Iago_, who could not at first believe in the reality of Lautaro’s advance. Villagran, being at this time on the sick list, delegated the command in the field to his son, whilst he himself proceeded to fortify the city as well as circumstances might permit. Pedro Villagran attacked the Araucanians in their intrenchments, but was entirely routed, his cavalry alone being enabled to save themselves. Undismayed, however, by this experience, he returned three times with fresh troops to the attack, being each time repulsed with loss. He then encamped his army in a meadow, which gave the Araucanians the idea of inundating it at night by means of the branch of a stream. This design, however, was betrayed to the Spaniards, who retired to _St. Iago_ in time to prevent its execution. [Sidenote: 1556.] The elder Villagran was now in a condition to take the field, and was earnestly besought to do so by the inhabitants of _St. Iago_, who every moment saw Lautaro at their gates. He at length began his march with about two hundred Spaniards and a thousand natives. Proceeding stealthily by the sea-shore after having quitted the main road, he was guided by a spy at break of day towards the Araucanian encampment. Lautaro, taken by surprise, hastened to the intrenchments, but was pierced to the heart by a weapon hurled by one of the native auxiliaries. On this unexpected event the fortifications were attacked on all sides, and the Araucanians, after an obstinate resistance, having declined all terms of surrender, were cut to pieces to the last man. This signal victory was celebrated by successive three days’ rejoicings in _St. Iago_; but the Spaniards, when once relieved of their terror, were sufficiently generous to render a just tribute to the merits of the Araucanian hero, who, at the early age of nineteen, had made them tremble for the safety of their Chilian Empire.