lagship was the "San Pedro," of about four hundred tons' burden;
the almiranta was called "San Pablo," and was under command of Mateo
del Sar (_sic_). In this vessel embarked Fathers Diego Herrera and
Pedro de Gamboa; the others sailed in the flagship. "A grandson of the
general, named Felipe de Salcedo, a lad of sixteen, also embarked. He
afterward attained great prominence in the islands, and is therefore
given special mention here." A native, Pedro Pacheco, brought from the
islands on the return of the survivors of the Villalobos expedition,
was also taken as interpreter. The two pataches were in command of
Alonso de Arellano and Juan de la Isla. After Legazpi had given his
instructions to the officers, the fleet set sail November 21, 1564,
the men all having invoked the blessing of God upon their voyage.]

Chapter IV

_Of the voyage made by our religious to the Western Islands_

Great undertakings are wont never to lack their obstacles, which
although they do not fail to unnerve those of feeble intellect, yet
seem to serve only as spurs to the lofty-minded, to make them not
abandon what is undertaken; and these latter show greater courage,
when Fortune shows herself most contrary. And the devil, when he
divines that any work is on foot that may be for the service of the
Lord unless he can hinder it, at the very least manages to impede
it, and does his utmost to render it of none effect. Thus in this
departure, they did not fail to have their misfortunes, but having
conquered these by their courageous souls, they continued their
voyage. For four days had they ploughed the waters of the sea, when
the general thought it best to open his Majesty's despatch and read
the instructions given him, and find the route that he was ordered to
take. The instructions were given him under lock and seal, and he was
ordered not to open them, until he had sailed at least one hundred
leguas. For the opening of the instructions, he had all the men of
account in the fleet assembled; they found that, in accordance with
his Majesty's decree, they were ordered to go straight to the islands,
now called Filipinas. When they were reached, a portion of the army
and the religious were to remain there, while Father Urdaneta, with
the other portion of the fleet, was to return in order to establish
the route, until then unknown, as this was the object and chief
purpose of his Majesty Father Urdaneta was extremely sorry at this,
for he had