[62] the number of the Christians could
not but be lessened.

1118. It only remains now to ascertain whence proceeded those Indians
who so increased the above-mentioned villages. It was stated in
another place in the third volume [63] that there was a great number
of mountain Indians in the islands of Masbate and Burias, who are
there called Zimarrones. They were feared, for they lived without
God, or king, and were given up to the liberties of paganism. Those
were certain men, if they can be called so, who having apostatized
the faith, had taken to the deserts and high places, where they
defended their native barbarity at every step, against those who
were trying to reduce them and to procure their own good. They had
gathered there, either they or their ancestors, from the villages
of the same islands, as well as from Zebu, Leyte, and others,
to escape the punishment due them for their crimes. Consequently,
they were people especially fierce. Among them were found to be many
heathens, as they had been born in those places where the sound of
the preaching did not penetrate. The others were still worse, as they
had abandoned Christianity. They did notable damage to the villages,
and they even robbed the boats that were anchored in the ports or
bays, treacherously taking many lives. The matter had assumed such
proportions that one could not cross those islands by their interiors;
and to approach their shores was the same thing as putting in at an
enemy's port. But at present all the Zimarrones are reduced to the
faith, and to the obedience of the king without any exception. Hence
one can travel through the islands without the slightest risk,
and boats can go thither even to the uninhabited places. From that
and from no other beginnings have come the increase of that church,
and there is not small praise to our reformed branch from it.

1119. That progress of the faith was preceded by many hardships
that were suffered by the religious, some of which I shall state,
noting that innumerable others are omitted, in order not to bore our
readers by their relation, and because they resemble those that we
shall relate. It has already been stated, then, that for the space
of more than thirty years there was but one convent in the three
islands, which was established in the village of Mobo, whence the
gospel laborers went out to administer all the settlements of the
district. For that purpose, it was absolutely necessary for them