as
from their islands to this village on the island of Samal. They had
come on two small vessels, that are called here "paraos." This is
how they relate their adventure.

They had embarked, thirty-five persons in all, intending to go to
a neighboring island, when there arose a wind so violent that they
were not able to gain the island where they wished to land, or any
other in the neighborhood, and were carried out to the open sea. They
made many efforts to land on some shore or some island known to them,
but without avail. They sailed thus at the will of the winds during
seventy days without being able to make land. Finally losing all
hope of returning to their country, and seeing themselves half-dead
with hunger, without water and without food, they resolved to abandon
themselves to the mercy of the winds, and land on the first island they
could find toward the west. Scarcely had they taken this resolution,
when they found themselves in sight of the village of Guivam on the
island of Samal. A man from that village who was on the seashore saw
them, and, judging by the structure of their little vessels that they
were some strangers who had lost their way, he took a piece of cloth
and made them a signal to enter by the channel that he indicated, in
order to avoid the rocks and the banks of sand upon which they were
about to run aground. These poor men were so frightened at seeing this
stranger that they began to put back to sea; however much effort they
made, they were not able to turn about, and the wind blew them a second
time toward the shore. When they were near, the Guivam man made them
understand by signs the route that they should take; but, seeing that
they were not taking it, and that they would surely be lost, he threw
himself into the sea, and swam to one of those two small vessels,
with the design of acting as pilot and of conducting them safely to
port. Scarcely had he reached the vessel when those who were on board,
even the women carrying their children, threw themselves into the
water to gain the other vessel, so much did they fear the approach
of this stranger. This man, seeing himself alone in the small vessel,
followed after them; and, having entered into the second, he cleared
all the rocks and piloted it safely into the harbor. During this time
the poor people remained motionless, and gave themselves up to the
guidance of the stranger, whose prisoners they considered themselves.

They landed on St.