been made to withdraw the Indians thence, and settle them
on the mainland of Sugbu, which is more suitable in every respect;
but the attempt has failed, for the Indians would rather die there
than to have a thousand comforts elsewhere. These islands contain
many cocoa-palms, but no water or rice. The water comes from wells,
and is very bad. The incumbent of the benefice has now built a small
fort; but I believe in my soul that, when the Indian catches sight
of the enemy, he will abandon it instantly.

This island has a village called Hilingigay, which it is said was
the source of all the Bisayan Indians who have peopled these shores,
and whose language resembles that of Hilingigay. The Indians remember
quite well when they were under our tutelage and teaching, and desire
to return to it. For they assert that since we have left them they have
not passed one good day. They talk in this vein because always the past
was better. That benefice has now about four hundred Indians. They pay
tribute to the king, and belong to the bishopric of Sugbu, being of
its jurisdiction in secular matters as well. It is more than seventy
leguas from Manila to Bantayan to the south.

The father provincial established religious in Jaro, on the coast
of the island of Sugbu, a place at present called Carcar. It has
in charge more than one thousand two hundred Indians. It has been
visited at times from San Nicolas, and at others from the house of
Nombre de Jesus of the Spaniards. But it seemed best at this time for
it to have a prior with assistants, because of the conveniences which
were found there, which are not few--and much more [are they to be
considered] in the case of the ministry. It is about six leguas from
the city of Nombre de Jesus, and more than twenty from the end of
the district. The distance can be made in four hours, with the brisa.

The provincial established religious in Hantic [112] on the opposite
coast of Panay. It was an excellent village. The holy martyr Melo
[113] was prior of it. Now it is fallen back because we left it;
and we have taken it once more. It has about three hundred Indians,
and is a visita of Guimbal, which is one legua from Tigbauan, and
more than fifty from Manila.

Resident religious were established in Aclan, on the island of Panay,
on the coast that looks toward Manila, which is more than fifty
leguas away. This is the best convent of the island. The provincial
thought best to change it for anothe