and treat of peace. And it cannot
be denied that there has been a great disturbance among them since
this expedition, and it has caused among them all not only fear,
but astonishment also, to see that so few Spaniards could dare to
traverse almost all of Guimba, marching almost all the way among the
settlements, without being seen. In this affair not only the caution
of the Spaniards, but their courage in penetrating among so many
barbarians, the most valiant in all these islands, is causing great
admiration--which is increased at seeing how so few Spaniards made so
great a number of enemies take to flight; for in all the villages there
are nearly a thousand barbarians who carry arms. It is certain that,
considering the circumstances of this exploit, it adds prestige to
several others that have been performed; and I even venture to say
that it is astonishing, if we consider what occurred in one night,
the perils that they went through, the daring of so few soldiers among
so many enemies, and, finally, their accomplishing what they did in
destroying and burning the villages and their people, without injury to
any one of our men. All this causes the Moros who see these occurrences
close to them to wonder and fear, and apparently they are talking in
earnest of becoming friends and vassals of his Majesty. [Marginal note:
"For Father Juan Lopez, rector of Cavite."]

[Another letter by Father Paterio, written from Jolo, February 28,
1644, relates the particulars of another expedition by Zepeda into
Guimba, six days previous to that date. The native chiefs on the east
side of the island are intimidated by the punishment inflicted on
Paran, and are inclined to submit to the victorious Spanish arms;
but those on the west desire to take revenge for the massacre of
their tribesmen. A conference of the latter chiefs is accordingly
held at the village of Ulis, where they talk of making an attack
on the Spanish forts at Jolo. They invite Suil, one of the friendly
chiefs, to join them; but he sends word to the Spaniards (February
9) of the plot against them. Zepeda is then absent in Zamboanga, but
returns soon afterward; and another warning from Suil being received
ten days later, Zepeda decides to inflict summary punishment on the
plotters. He therefore leads an expedition against the village of Ulis,
on February 21, and, as before, attacks the village at daylight. This
time, the natives have had warning of the intended assault,