ny other
very strange things occurred.

The island of Jolo was at one time subject to the king [of Spain],
but some years ago it rebelled; and now its natives, in company with
some other enemies of ours, the people of Mindanao, go about with
little fleets committing robberies upon these seas and doing all the
damage in their power. This year they set out with only three caracoas,
ships something like galleys. But when they discovered that an armed
fleet of caracoas, which had been equipped in the city of Zebu,
had set out on the eleventh of November in search of them, and that
another fleet had set out from Oton on the same quest, they returned
to their own country, having committed almost no damage except that
they captured some three Spaniards--of whom, they say, they killed two.

This year there was completed in these islands one of the strongest
and most remarkable galleons ever built here. It was at once equipped,
along with another very large galleon, two [smaller] ones, and a
patache. In March, 620, this fleet set out for the port where they
are accustomed to go to watch for the Chinese ships that bring
merchandise to this city. They went to protect the Chinese; for,
although it was not known that there were Hollanders there, it was
thought best to take timely precaution, lest they come to commit
robberies, as they have done in previous years. The galleon which went
as admiral's ship sprang such a leak that it was forced to return to
port, but when it had arrived there the rest of the fleet continued
their journey. They were in this place [where they meet the Chinese]
until the beginning of May, when they returned to Cavite. Don Luis
Fajardo, brother of the governor, went as general of the fleet, and,
as he was very young, other captains, brave and experienced in war,
were assigned to him as companions and counselors.

The number of ships which have come this year to these islands from
all parts of the world with rich merchandise has been great. Some four
or five have come from Japon, although some of them were lost on the
coast of Manila with all their large cargoes. Some of the Japanese
in them were drowned, but others escaped to land. From Macan ten
Portuguese ships have come with much valuable merchandise.

Last year the governor of the Filipinas sent to Macan to buy a
very handsome galleon which was there. Those who went for the
purpose bought it, loaded it with merchandise, and left Macan for
the Filip