himself alone with three caracoas--his own, that of Alférez Patiño, and
that of Alférez Francisco de Mendoza, a creole from Sugbú. Our flagship
went straight toward the enemy. The others stationed themselves in
between, where they played havoc with the smaller craft. The small
boats of the enemy perceiving themselves attacked so suddenly, without
further counsel than that of fear, took to the open, which is there of
great extent, and scattered. It is reported that their loss was heavy,
and that only such and such a number arrived at Mindanao; and that
their captain-general was drowned. He was the son of Silongan, king of
Mindanao. Those who stayed behind to fight fought so bravely that the
outcome was doubtful; for the captain told me that they fought like
lions. Thus had the company [of the three caracoas] been destroyed,
and our men would have been in danger, for even yet the other four
caracoas had not arrived. Finally, the enemy's flagship was sunk,
and others foundered, while other boats took to flight through fear
of the firing, or allowed themselves to fall aside. Our men killed
many, and those who escaped, defended themselves cutlass in hand,
while swimming. Then approaching the island, our boats ceased firing,
in order to capture the enemy alive, so that they might have rowers
for their galleys. On this account about eighty landed. The Indians
seized a small height in order to defend themselves, whereat our
men were about to open fire on them. As soon as our men were ashore,
father Fray Martín de San Nicolás--who, more courageous than those
who did not come, was in the midst of the whole action, encouraging
our men--went to the Indians, and talked to and assured them so that
they gave up their arms and surrendered. I think that the captain
gave two of those slaves to the order to serve in whatever convent
the superior should think best. The remainder were taken to Octóng,
some of whom were sold, and others placed in the galleys, and those
were the most secure. Since that fleet, although innumerable fleets