larger than a very small orange. He had about one hundred men. Lázaro
de Torres was their captain, a man of great courage, and than whom no
one, in such opportunities, has been more fortunate. His alférez was
Don Pedro Zara, a very courageous soldier. In short, they fought so
that it appeared rather rashness than bravery. Two of our religious
were there, father Fray Jerónimo de Alvarado and Fray Juan de Morales,
besides the parish priest of the town, Bartolomé Martes. They confessed
the troops, and encouraged them. The balls rained down, and thus they
penetrated throughout the fort, as if it had been paper. No place was
safe, for the enemy commanded the entire fort from their topmasts;
and no sooner did any one mount the parapet than he was shot. The
commander was wounded, as was Don Pedro Zara. Within that redoubt all
were heaped sweltering in their own blood, awaiting death. For, as
often as the enemy invested that small fort or redoubt, the Spaniards
resisted bravely and killed many of them. But finally, at the end,
the victory had to remain with the conqueror, who could be none other
than the Dutch as they had so strong forces. But our Lord in such a
conflict aided His own, who were fighting there for His honor under so
great odds; and willed that the enemy should abandon the undertaking,
and depart--to the wonder of all, after they had been firing at that
rampart for nearly two days. In that time they must have used more than
five hundred large balls, the reverberations of which sounded on the
heights of that island like thunder. On the departure of the enemy,
our men must have found themselves in great need of everything, for
whatever houses and stores were there were all burned; for the Dutch
have done this three times on that point. Help came then from Baong,
and father Fray Hernando de Morales came overland with two hundred
Indians. He was an angel to the people, and, with the Indians,
aided them in their greatest necessity. By this means they had one
who served and accommodated them, which was no small achievement. He