n deprives them of sustenance. But,
I think time has proved what an unwise thing was done; for none of
those injuries have been remedied, but have remained. The forces,
which are daily becoming fewer in the islands, were divided, and
there were innumerable other inconveniences. Finally, the governor
sent troops to the island, and possession of it was taken, more than
forty or sixty leguas from the Dutch fort. Only Dominican religious
went on this occasion. Then it befell that many of the troops died,
for the island is very cold. Most of the fruits of Castilla are raised
there. Its inhabitants are fierce, and live without law or reason,
but more as their chiefs dictate. Ours have suffered signal hardships
there. Sargento-mayor N. Careno was governor of that fort and the
troops; and he did his utmost. The Chinese came and offered many things
when the soldiers had money; but, when money failed, all was about to
perish. That year, 1626, Don Juan Nino de Tabora came as governor. He
was told of Hermosa Island and its great importance. Accordingly,
he resolved to make an expedition thither, with as many of the
remaining soldiers as possible. They filled three large galleons
and other smaller ones. Captain Lazaro de Torres, of whom we have
made so much mention, sailed in the "Trinidad," the smallest of all
the ships. They left in August, after the despatch [for New Spain]
of the vessels of 1627. The weather was rough, so that the governor
grew afraid. After incurring so great expenses for his Majesty, and
sailing in galleons which carried fifty or sixty pieces of artillery,
a return was made to Cavite. Only Lazaro de Torres went ahead, with
whom sailed father Fray Lucas de Atienza, of our order, as prior and
vicar-provincial. They suffered terrible storms, and ran manifest
dangers; especially when, running with the lower sail on the foremast,
they ran aground on an island, which they had not seen because of
a dense fog. At last they all got away. They flung out, or rather
raised, the greater yard (which they were carrying down), shook out
the sails full, and then were able to make land with the sides under
water, and the sea running sky-high. They just missed scraping the
sunken rocks about the island. The most courageous man among them
was our religious, for no one, neither soldier nor sailor, met the
danger with greater courage or resolution. At length they reached
Hermosa Island at a time that proved the redemption of those m