were the inhabitants of Panglao, a small island almost
adjoining this; all the people came very willingly to hear about
the things of our holy faith, and soon began of their own accord to
build a church. As the first-fruits of Christianity there, we first
baptized the sons of the chiefs, in order that they might open the
door for the others. Their parents were greatly pleased at this,
in token of which they held a feast that same day, with dancing and
other festivities. This little island we visited again, at which
time a considerable number of adults as well as a hundred children
received baptism. The chiefs besought us to leave there someone who
might instruct them, that they might thus learn more speedily all
that was necessary. For this purpose we took from the island their
brightest boys, so that they, after receiving instruction, might
teach their people. Thus we shall be able to supply, to some extent,
the great need of men from our Society, until our Lord shall multiply
our number. During a visit that was made to the village of Lobo, an
important event occurred which served to overthrow their errors and
remove some great fears with which the devil had inspired them. An
alguazil learned that in a little village near by there was a chief
who kept in his house many small horns and little jars full of charms,
and other instruments, which served for casting lots, for determining
if in sickness sacrifice should be made to the devil, and for deciding
other matters. Father Gabriel Sanchez resolved to go in person to
take away those cursed instruments. In fact, no other means would
have been successful, because, upon arriving at the house, he was
obliged with his own hands to unhang and heap together the bottles
and horns; for the Indians who had accompanied him did not dare even
to touch them--fearing that, if they did, they would die; and that,
if they threw them into the river, the caimans would be enraged against
them--such was their belief in these delusions. But the father, having
quieted their fear and removed their mistaken apprehension by himself
touching those objects and yet remaining alive, induced them to seize
the horns and bottles and expose them publicly. Then he summoned the
young boys who spat and trod upon them--actions which among those
people, as among other nations, are a token of contempt, detestation,
and infamy. He finally caused the charms to be burned, and thrown into
the river. By these means t