these Philipinas Islands. Being seen by the Indians and natives of
that land, the latter attacked them, and put them all to the sword,
leaving only the captain alive for the ransom that they can get for
him. For two years there have been such droughts in the Malucas Islands
that many clove-trees have been destroyed, causing a great famine.

In the beginning of February of this year, 621, nine hostile ships
arrived in the bay of Manila, five Dutch and four English, who seized
the passage by which enter the ships of all these islands from Japan,
China, Macan, Maluco, and India. The commander of this fleet was an
Englishman, according to the agreement between them. They sighted our
forts and saw how few ships we had to oppose to them; thereupon they
sailed in as if on their own seas and in a safe port. The greatest
resistance which could be made against this enemy was to take care
that they did not seize any of the China ships aboard of which much of
our wealth comes to these islands. So two ships were despatched with
all haste to the coast of China, in order to inform them of the enemy,
and warn them not to sail at such a time that they would fall into the
hands of the enemy. They did not arrive in time, so that some of the
vessels had sailed, three of which were captured by the enemy. These
were of little value, but two of some importance were taken. One
of them was sighted by a small patache belonging to the Dutch, who
were under difficulties in attacking it, because the Chinese after
their manner of fighting--with caldrons of melted sugar, and stones,
and clubs--defended themselves so well that with their boiling sugar
they sent fourteen of the Dutch in a conserve to hell. Finally it was
surrendered, after the death of one hundred and twenty Chinese. The
English commander ordered the other ship, which was the fifth, to be
set afire, because of quarrels between the Dutch and English over the
capture and division, so that their booty was diminished. The enemy,