d anxieties. The Zimarrones, infidels, and bad Christians,
given up to doing ill to whomever procured their total welfare, now
as declared enemies, and again as wily friends, placed him almost
continually in monstrous danger of exhaling his last breath. In order
that he might visit promptly the new village which he had erected, he
opened a road from Mobo to it through the interior of the island. He
crossed it many times on foot, it being necessary for him to traverse
very lofty mountains exposed to all the inclemencies of the weather. He
suffered indescribable things for the faith, with the great hardship
that his vast zeal occasioned him, and which those Indians caused
him with their obstinacy. Finally he fell grievously ill, his pains
originating from the penalties of the said road which he frequented
several times in the course of a single month, as well as from the heat
and showers which he endured when going through the mountains in search
of those rational wild beasts. He died through the apostolic zeal,
in the manner in which all gospel laborers ought to depart this life.

1121. Father Fray Benito de la Assumpcion, a religious who seemed
born for the labors and successes of the spiritual administration,
followed that laborer in the care of that vineyard. He believed that,
without passing the limits of prudence, it would be very seasonable
for the souls of his parishioners to reduce them to living closer
together in a fewer number of villages, and he thus tried to bring
it to pass. Especially did he propose to himself the plan that
the Indians shortly before reduced to the new village which we
have mentioned in the preceding number, should move to the capital
or chief village of Mobo, for he formed the correct judgment that
they would be better Christians if they had at all hours the good
example of their ministers before their eyes. It is not so difficult
to move a whole village in Philipinas as it would be in Europa;
for the Indians build their houses without cost and easily. They
also find in all parts lands suitable for their cultivation without
any expense from their pockets. Yet notwithstanding that one cannot
easily tell the vast labors, watches, and afflictions that come upon
the religious when they attempt such reductions of the Indians. The
latter desire with too great endeavor, to have their residence where
they cannot be registered, in order to work with greater freedom, and
excuse themselves if possib