nt. There
were no more in that neighborhood. And as all the people there pay
tribute to these people, they denied having any more than a few
tinguianes [_i.e.,_ hill people]. When they were told to notify the
villages, they said that they could not, for they were at war with
them; that this was the boundary of their nation; and that it would
take a large body of troops. It could not all be explored on this
occasion, because it would take more time than our troops could
afford. It is understood that the people of this district are all
farmers, and by nature like the Vizayans; they have much cotton and
wax. This part of the lake is clear, and has a swift current, owing
to the strength of the rivers which flow into it, and which have
every reason for being populous. We shall examine it soon; the reason
for our not doing so this time was that Silonga knew that the chiefs
and principal men of his party wished to go over to our side, paying
tribute and obedience unto his Majesty. Seeing himself deserted on
all sides without them, and that they were all leaving him, he came
out of Buyahen with a large number of troops and went to the village
of Dato Mindum; and there he cut off their path and kept them all
hedged in. The sargento-mayor and the other captains, considering that
since he was so bold as to take up a position where he was without
fortification, he must have confidence in the number of his troops,
and that for some eight days more or less the victories which God has
given us up to now should not be spoiled, therefore put off attacking
him till they should have a new order from me. Accordingly today,
the twenty-ninth of the said month, I am sending Captain Ruy Gomez
with forty soldiers more, and three hundred friendly Indians and more
supplies. He has orders to attack the village. We should lose much if
the troops came down the river without attacking Silonga; the more he
has at stake, the more he will lose. For I know the worth and value of
a Spaniard, and it is not a good thing to hazard them without a great
deal of consideration. I hope, God willing, that if the enemy wait they
will be badly beaten; and if they flee to the chiefs who wish to go
over to our side, that will increase their wish and confirm them in it.

Thus far no fragata or other ship has arrived except that of the
sargento-mayor which I sent back from here, and even if this had
remained in Zebu, it might have brought word from the lord governor
re