33.  As the corsair had no ships, he sent men out to cut wood, and as all his soldiers were good workmen, they soon constructed thirty ships within the fort.  With these he set sail at noon on the fourth of August, having been besieged within the fortifications for over four months.  He directed his ships toward his own country, but, as he left, he committed some damage with the “Vigilantib.”  At this time the Spaniards feared that, when the ships were leaving, they were about to attack them; and that some column was about to take them in the rear.  For this reason they fortified their rear-guard strongly when the corsair left.  It was ludicrous to expect that the Chinese were coming to attack them, when with all their squadrons they never dared once to measure their strength with ours.

34.  Before this the Spaniards had filled the river with stakes, to retard the progress of the corsair, but the latter removed them.  He compelled some of his men to enter the water; and ropes being tied to the shoulders of these men, they removed, although with considerable difficulty, a sufficient number of the stakes to clear the vessels.  While he was removing the stakes, the Spaniards stationed arquebusiers and as large a force as they were able; but in this there was negligence in not opposing the enemy with better arquebusiers.

35.  They say that the corsair sent offers of friendship to the Spaniards, saying that he would introduce us to the kingdom of China and assist us in conquering the same.  In regard to this there was no further discussion; because he asked as a condition that the siege should be raised, and that the Spaniards should go to Manila, where he would return, in order to adjust the matter.  Then, too, Omocon, a captain of the king of China, was in that city, who had come to locate the corsair, besides Sinsay, and others, which made the Spaniards suspicious of admitting these discussions.

36.  It seems that in the kingdom of China this corsair, Limahon, had done much damage; and the king was at a great expense and trouble in maintaining garrisons along the frontier where he was wont to commit his frequent depredations.  The governors of the province of Hoquian sent two ships in charge of a Chinese captain, named Omocon, sent by the governor of Chinchiu, who bears the title there of Yncuanton, to spy upon Limahon, in order to send a fleet against him.  This same Omocon also brought letters containing a pardon from the king, in case he should fall into the hands of Limahon.  He brought letters also to the principal married men with Limahon, promising them many things, if they would kill the corsair and return to the service of their king.  This Omocon arrived at Pangasinan after the burning of the enemy’s fleet, and after the attack made on the fort the first day.  He spoke with the master-of-camp asserting that their enemy was a pirate; and that if the Spaniards would take him prisoner or kill him, the king of China