was no less spirited than valiant) came
to land, at this provocation, with the woman and the children. Having
placed the latter at one side, they furiously began their combat;
but as the native of Botuan was not only courageous, but fought with
justice on his side, that circumstance so aided him that, after some
attempts, he killed his adversary with two spear-thrusts, and departed
in contentment with his wife and children, whom he had gained anew.

The southern part of the island fell to the lot of Father Valerio
de Ledesma and Father Manuel Martinez, who went there early in
November of the year fifteen hundred and ninety-six. There not only
did the demons, upon their arrival, offer them visible opposition,
trying to affright and terrify them at night with horrible sights
and sounds--such as they are wont to display when God our Lord
permits them--but they found the inhabitants by no means tractable,
on account of their fierce and violent natures. But this was a sort
of test to which our Lord subjected them in order that He might soon
console them by the conversion of many chiefs--especially that of
one whom they had least expected to yield on account of his fierce
and warlike character and the terror which he inspired throughout
the region. This conversion was most edifying, and occurred in
the following manner. On a certain Sunday the fathers invited the
people to come to the church on the following Sunday, enjoining them
not to fail to be present; they heeded this injunction faithfully,
repairing to the church in great numbers. There they formed a class
of all the children, and under the guidance of one of the fathers,
who bore a cross, they marched in good order to a spot where were
explained to them some of the mysteries of our holy faith; thence
they returned to the church, where, before an assemblage of all the
people, Father Manuel Martinez preached a sermon. Our Lord inspired
his words with such force that he subdued their hearts, so hard and
obstinate; and in the very middle of the sermon Elian (for such was
his name) fell upon his knees, and eagerly and strenuously sought
baptism. This sight greatly affected many Spaniards who were present,
as well as the Indians who beheld this great change in their chief
(whom they greatly respected), and they were all moved to tears. This
emotion was increased by the action of the superior, Father Valerio
de Ledesma, who, having remained among the others to hear the serm