that but
little [poisonous] humor remained to be corrected. He therefore chose
to make it evident that his delay was not for the sake of temporizing
but to show clemency; and that, able to resist no longer, he was using
rigor against those who in so many days had not availed themselves of
his clemency. And, to show how great was his courage and how superior
he regarded his forces, he did not vouchsafe to send out Spaniards
but entrusted the issue to the Pampangos.

This was information which by one act, his discretion gained with
great results. He made trial of the fidelity of the Pampangos, whose
commotions and recent punishments had left their fidelity uncertain;
and he put them on their honor with this so honorable commission, to
act then with valor and afterward with constancy. It would make them
hated by the Sangleys, to oblige them to become enemies; and would give
Cot-sen to understand how little importance the governor attached to
the latter's men, since he was attacking them with natives alone. He
could ascertain thus what was the disposition of the Pampangos, and
how much courage they had for resisting that pirate; for himself,
the injury which the islands had experienced in so many disturbances
of the natives gave him some confidence.

He gave them their orders--that they should march to the camp of
the Sangleys without doing harm to any peaceable Sangleys whom they
might encounter on the way, who should be going to the city; and when
they should arrive there, giving the troops a rest, they should make
the assault on the next day cutting off the heads of all [whom they
should find there]. At the same time his Lordship despatched orders
to the alcaldes-mayor of Bay and Bulacan--through whose provinces
the Sangleys would necessarily have to disperse after they were
routed--to go out with three hundred bowmen from each province to
occupy the roads against them; so that wherever they should seek
a route to safety they should meet destruction. The Pampangos left
the city before noon; his Lordship anticipating all possible events
three hours later commanded two companies of horsemen to make ready,
who should set out at daybreak for the [Sangley] camp--in order that
if the Pampangos met bad luck they might have sufficient protection,
and could thus recover their courage and renew the attack in full
assurance of victory.

The Pampangos encountered on the way many bands of Sangleys, who
were coming to the Parian,