this perilous situation in the combat of the Fort of San Luis, which they failed to take, and in the battle of Lagunillas on 5 September 1557. In this battle an army of 12,000 Mapuche warriors at the command of several Toquis - among them Lincoyan and Galvarino- attacked a large Spanish army led by Garcia Hurtado de Mendoza. As he passed the Biobio river, coming from Concepcion, Garcia lead a force of 600 well armed soldiers and 1500 yanakunas, who were attacked by the Mapuche forces in a marsh named "lagunillas". The attack was highly disorganized, and despite the great numeric difference, the Mapuche were defeated in brutal hand-to-hand combat; leaving hundreds of dead and injured and 150 prisoners of war. Among these prisoners was one of the Toquis: Galvarino. Garcia Hurtado de Mendoza, ordered his soldiers to mutilate the right hand and nose of the prisoners to teach them a lesson. Galvarino not only extended his right hand to be amputated, but also extended his other hand before the soldier ordered to cut his hand off and both were amputated before he was freed. This type of lesson infuriated and hardened the Mapuches even more towards the usurpers of their territory. The Election of Caupolican as Toqui After these defeats the Mapuche people united in a great council in the Pilmaiquen Mountains, this council had the objective of unifying the Mapuche military force under the command of one man by electing a Toqui. Caupolican was chosen as Toqui due to his great physical strength and bravery in battle. According to the historian Jeronimo de Vivar, Caupolican had to demonstrate his strength to the Caciques, among which were included Tucapel, Rengo and Colo Colo and who were presided by the latter, by holding a thick tree trunk upon his shoulders for two days and one night without fainting before he could be elected as Toqui. Caupolican defeated other candidates for this position namely, Paicavi, Lincoyan and Elicura. Alonso de Ercilla immortalized this event in La Araucana. The Battle of Millarapue After the victory of the Spanish in Lagunillas, Garcia entered hostile territory in search of a decisive battle. The Spanish forces set up camp in Millarapue, in the central area of Araucania, 29 November. The Mapuche forces led by Caupolican attempted a surprise attack on the enemy camp on the dawn of 30 November. Coincidentally, the Spanish troops were