above, it happened that the Mindanaos conspired with their neighbors,
and came to plunder the islands, with a goodly number of caracoas
and vessels of all burden. They robbed much, captured, seized, and
burned, more than what can well be told; and, as fast as they filled
their boats, they sent them home. The commander of the Pintados,
Don Diego de Quiñones, was notified. He happened to be in Octóng,
where he immediately had seven very well equipped caracoas prepared,
with Indians to row and Spaniards to fight. He appointed creditable
men as commanders of them, and, as commander-in-chief of them all,
Captain Lázaro de Torres, the man who was with him in the affair
with the Dutch. The fleet set sail in stormy weather, and coasted the
island of Panay in search of the point of Potol, because the enemy had
to pass by there in order to return home. This occasioned much toil
because of the fury of the wind. Finally they reached the river, four
leguas from Potol. There they anchored, for the brisas, which there
are side winds, were breaking the counterbalances of the caracoas. At
that place the Indians told him that the enemy had arrived at Hambil,
an islet which, stretching between Potol and the island of Tablas,
forms channels between them. Thereupon he left, notwithstanding the
severe weather. Father Fray Martín de San Nicolás, associate in that
priorate, accompanied him from here, in a suitable boat. At length,
by dint of rowing, they reached the island, and when in shelter of it,
they learned that the enemy had anchored near by, behind a point that
served them as a harbor. Then order was given to the caracoas to follow
and do their duty, and at daybreak sail was set, in order to take the
enemy before they could perceive him. I have no wish to cast blame upon
the commanders of the caracoas, for they were men of great courage
and punctilious honor. Hence, they did not remain behind purposely,
but because they could sail no faster, for all boats are not equal. To
conclude, when the enemy were sighted, Captain Lázaro de Torres found