both parties. Once, when returning from Manila,
they were charged with robbing and making captives. The governor sent
Alferez Don Fernando de Figueroa after them. After meeting them, he
brought them back, after taking away their cargo, which is reported
to have amounted to more than four thousand pesos. They remained idle
in Manila, until they were freely dismissed, as no crime appeared
against them. Governor Don Alonso Fajardo died, and the Ioloans
returned to their own country, with the intention of asking the new
governor, on his arrival, for what was taken from them; since nothing
was proved against them for which they merited the punishment of the
confiscation of their property. They acted accordingly, and returned to
the presence of Don Fernando de Silva and of his successor, Don Juan
Nino de Tabora. Those barbarians endured very great delay, until,
finding themselves in a desperate condition and poorly equipped,
they returned, committing signal depredations on the way; and since
then they have continued their incursions, to the very great injury of
all the country. And although expeditions have been made against them
from Sugbu and Panay, nothing of importance has been accomplished. It
was resolved to build a good fleet and invade their country. This
was done very secretly, but I am surprised that they did not hear
of it. Its chief officer was Don Cristobal de Lugo, who filled
the position of lieutenant-governor and captain-general of those
provinces. He assembled a goodly force, both soldiers and Indians,
who would willingly go to avenge themselves, as they said. For the act
of vengeance among the Indians is a terrible thing; and, if possible,
they do not miss it.

While awaiting the time to go in Sugbu, where the forces were
gathered--who, as they were many, occupied all the houses, even the
smallest ones--some soldiers were cleaning their weapons in one near
the residence of the Recollect fathers. One fired his arquebus, which,
unknown to him, was loaded. It caught in the thatch which formed
the roof of that little house; and, as the sun was hot, and the wind
the greater brisa, the house quickly caught fire. The father prior,
Fray Pedro de San Nicolas, was very much annoyed; and he came out,
and with reason rebuked the soldiers, who lost all their effects. The
father returned to his house, where he learned that more had happened
than he thought; for, as he was going up stairs, he saw that the
greater part of