Ladrones Islands, and
to return thence with the brisas from those islands to the Filipinas;
then, reaching the latter, to encounter the vendavals, and again be
driven by their force to the Ladrones. The hindrance and privation thus
experienced can be imagined; nor can the ship land at either islands
until the months of October and November when the vendavals cease.

Almost the same thing befell Ours that year. The vendavals and
currents long drove them back, and, in consequence, their voyage was
lengthened, and provisions ran short; the ship's stores gave out, and,
that they might not lack water, they were allotted small rations, each
being given but half a quartillo a day--a privation which at sea is
keenly felt. Finally, relieved from all these hardships and torments,
through the mercy of God they arrived safely at the college in Manila
on the first day of August of the same year. This voyage is usually
made in seventy days, but they, to their own greater merit, did not
reach the islands before one hundred and thirty days; and afterward
they journeyed more than one hundred leguas besides, by both sea and
land, coasting the shore in large boats. They crossed by land the
province of Camarines, all of which is occupied by the convents of
the glorious father St. Francis, where they were received and cared
for according to their dire necessities; even the father commissary
of those provinces, heedless of entreaties or excuses, washed with
his own hands the feet of six of Ours, who chanced to pass by his
abode. The first words with which one of those servants of the Lord
received them were the following, which he uttered with loving tears:
"Would they were a thousand fathers, for they would all have a harvest
in the Filipinas." The Indians, too, who had never seen Ours in this
province, were greatly rejoiced at their arrival--not only those
already baptized, but even the infidels; and they gave proof of their
good will in the hospitality which they showed towards our fathers,
in imitation of their own fathers and ministers.

This was indeed a valuable reenforcement; for, combined with that of
the year before, they made a sufficient force to begin the extension
of the Society throughout the islands which were assigned to it as
a province, and to care for the humble souls who begged for bread
and had no one to give it to them. Father Ramon de Prado, who had
succeeded to the office of vice-provincial, thus obtained people to