ssly attacked the
Chinese ships, and, with their usual courage, grappled them. This was
certainly a rash move on their part, for the Chinese ships were large
and high, while the _praus_ were so small and low that they hardly
reached to the first pillar of the enemy's ships. But the goodly aim
of the arquebusiers was so effective that the Chinese did not leave
their shelter, and the Spaniards were thus enabled to board their
ships and take possession of them. There were about eighty Chinese
on board the two ships; about twenty were killed in the affray. The
soldiers searched the cabins in which the Chinese kept their most
valuable goods, and there they found silk, both woven and in skeins;
gold thread, musk, gilded porcelain bowls, pieces of cotton cloth,
gilded water-jugs, and other curious articles--although not in
a large quantity, considering the size of the ships. The decks of
both vessels were full of earthen jars and crockery; large porcelain
vases, plates, and bowls; and some fine porcelain jars, which they
call _sinoratas_. They also found iron, copper, steel, and a small
quantity of wax which the Chinese had bought. Captain Juan de Salzedo
arrived with the rear-guard of the _praus_, after the soldiers had
already placed in safety the goods taken from the Chinese ships. He
was not at all pleased with the havoc made among the Chinese. The
master-of-camp, Martin de Goite, who had remained behind with the
large ship, showed much more displeasure, when he heard of the
occurrence. As soon as he was able to cast anchor with the junk in
the river of Bato (the name of the place where the Chinese vessels
were found), he made all haste to make them understand that he was
sorry for their misfortune, and that they had done wrong in sallying
forth against the Spaniards. Nevertheless, he said he would give them,
besides their freedom, a ship, in which they might return to their
own country without any hindrance--besides whatever was necessary
for their voyage. This was highly appreciated by the Chinese, who,
being very humble people, knelt down with loud utterances of joy.

After this proposal had been made clear to the Chinese, and gladly
accepted by them, the master-of-camp entrusted the chief notary,
Hernando Rriquel, with the repairing of one of the ships--ordering
him to have the hatchway taken out, and to send all that the ship
contained to the port of Panay. Seeing that the sails, masts, and
rigging of the vessels w