hip
was sent to find out where he had halted; and, upon discovering this,
all the Spanish people were summoned, who came to Manila as quickly as
possible. In the meantime Guido de Lavezares appointed Juan de Saucedo
master-of-camp, and all began preparations to meet the enemy. During
the time of preparation for the expedition, in order to leave the
city in security, they constructed a fort; it is now finished, and
was made by the natives, the wood being paid for at the expense of
your Majesty. Your Majesty's carpenters here also assisted, so that
the work was completed. The master-of-camp, Juan de Saucedo, and all
the Spaniards who had gathered, and were available for the expedition,
were summoned. They numbered about two hundred and fifty-six, together
with two thousand five hundred friendly Indians; and they set out
in fifty-nine native vessels, commanded by Captains Chacon, Chaves,
Rribera, and Rramirez. These officers were instructed to consult
together in regard to whatever the said master-of-camp should freely
and voluntarily communicate to them, as it was he who was conducting
the present undertaking.

21. They say that the corsair had, in all, about three thousand men
and as many women, whom he had forcibly taken from China and Japan. The
best people that he had were natives of those countries.

22. The Spaniards left Manila on the twenty-third of March of 75, and
arrived at the river of Pangasinan on Holy Wednesday, the thirtieth
of March. They entered by the bar of the river, two hours before
daybreak; and, without being seen, landed the soldiers and four pieces
of artillery. They selected the spot where the river was narrowest, to
see whether they could obstruct the passage of the Chinese ships. They
sent out spies, who returned with the information that the Chinese
were off their guard, and were careless. Upon this the master-of-camp
sent Captains Chaves and Chacon in haste, with nine vessels, in each
of which were about eight men, with orders to approach the Chinese
boats and to try to capture one or more of them--especially the big
ones, so that he might be able with them to obstruct the bar of the
river. He also sent Captain Ribera with twenty-eight men and some
Indians by land, so that, at the same time when the captains were
examining the river in their ships the former could assault the fort,
in order to divert the people in it, and to enable those on the river
to seize the said vessels. The plan for