tocks, or to come to meet it in order to seize it. But the
enemy attached so little importance to this vessel, and to the forces
of this land, that they acted with as great security as if anchored
in Holanda. They reproached the Indians that they captured for their
subjection to a people who did not dare to attack them [_i.e._, the
Dutch], and who had no forces for that purpose. Freeing those Indians,
the Dutch told them to sow a quantity of rice, and to rear many fowls
and swine, for they said that the following year they intended to
come with a greater force to make themselves absolute masters of these
islands, and it was necessary that they have plenty of food prepared.

The preparation of the fleet in Cavite was finished, so that it was
ready to sail by April 21. In the midst of the greatest efforts that
were being made to furnish its rigging, news was received that the
Dutch had returned laden with wealth. This filled the whole city
with sadness, on seeing that the Dutch were continuing their ravages
without any chastisement or punishment. But soon it was learned
for certain that it was not so, whereupon the Spaniards were very
joyous and happy. Such was the courage and spirit of our Spaniards,
that they burned with desire to begin the fray. Finding that it could
not be done so quickly, they manifested their anger, and raged like
caged and angry lions or tigers which cannot avenge an insult. A day
or so before our fleet sailed, a Japanese ship arrived at Cavite. The
disastrous loss of the ship "San Francisco," the flagship of three
vessels that sailed hence for Nueva Espana, was learned from that
vessel. This was the most unfortunate thing that had yet happened;
for by that blow this country was almost ruined, and the death of one
man was hastened, a few days after, by his sorrow. Many Spaniards
of those who escaped the wreck were aboard the said Japanese boat,
and one Augustinian religious. The latter was seized by the Dutch,
together with some of the wrecked Spaniards; but the Dutch did not
harm the Japanese, in order to establish friendly intercourse with
them. Under shelter of the latter, others of the Spaniards were saved,
and a considerable quantity of goods, although the Dutch stole some
anchors and cables of the king's that were aboard the vessel, and
some two hundred sacks of flour from private persons, but nothing
else. At last, after diligent search for Castilian or Portuguese
silver, the Dutch allowed t