When information reached Spain of the death of Quiroga, _Don_ Alonzo Sotomayor was sent out as governor to _Chili_, together with six hundred regular troops. Having landed at _Buenos Ayres_ in 1583, the new governor proceeded thence by land to _St. Iago_, whence he immediately sent his brother to succour _Villa Rica_ and _Valdivia_, which were besieged by the Araucanians. _Don_ Louis succeeded in this object, having twice defeated Paynenancu. The enterprising _Toqui_ was not, however, discouraged by his invariable defeats, which were always purchased dearly. To oppose him, the new governor, having driven off the _Pehuenches_ from the neighbourhood of _Chillan_, entered the Araucanian territory with seven hundred Spaniards and the usual auxiliaries. Returning to the barbarous mode of warfare which had been adopted by _Don_ Garcia de Mendoza, he laid waste the province of _Encol_. Such prisoners as fell into his hands were either hanged or dismissed with their hands cut off. Warned by the fate of _Encol_, the inhabitants of _Puren Elicura_, and _Tucapel_, after firing their houses and crops, secured themselves by flight. In the latter province but three captives were taken, and these were impaled. Such barbarities had the natural result of sending many recruits to the Araucanian army. Its unfortunate general withstood, on the frontiers of _Arauco_, the whole Spanish force, with only eight hundred men. His troops, however, fought with such resolution that the Spaniards were unable to break them until after an obstinate contest of several hours’ duration. Nearly all the Araucanians were slain; their commander was taken prisoner and executed. After this victory the fort of _Arauco_ was once more rebuilt.