old security would remain, and they would be held in greater estimation by the natives near them, who knew them; and would even attain the friendship of the king of China, against whom Limahon was a traitor, and whom he had offended.  This resolve they set about executing immediately, as such an undertaking required.  Meanwhile they heard, as certain, that the pirate was stationed on the Pangasinan River, where he had made a strong settlement.  Upon obtaining this news—­which was most agreeable to the Spaniards—­the governor summoned all the people dwelling thereabout, ordering them to come to the city where he resided.  At this same time, he sent word to all the encomenderos or seigniors of the villages of those islands called Pintados, ordering them to assemble at the same place with as many ships and men as possible, both Spaniards and natives.  All this was done and completed quickly and gladly; and the natives, especially those of the said Pintados Islands, came willingly.  All these, together with the other people who lived in the city, set out under command of Captain Juan de Salzedo, whom the governor, in his Majesty’s name, had appointed to the office of master-of-camp (rendered vacant, as has been related above, by the death of Martin de Goyti at the first assault of the city of Manila).  The governor remained behind with only a force sufficient to guard the city and the fort, which had been built again, and the well.  The master-of-camp took in his detachment two hundred and fifty soldiers and five hundred friendly Indians, all unanimous in their intention to avenge the mischief that they had suffered, or to die in the attempt.

This entire force embarked in small boats, and in two fragatas brought from nearby islands, as no time had been given, in the haste necessary for this expedition, to wait until larger ships could be found.  And, even had they waited, they would have found but a poor supply of vessels; for the inhabitants of this region, as soon as they saw the city attacked by the pirate, had risen against the Spaniards—­believing that the latter could not escape so great a force, although from the Spaniards’ first entrance into the said islands, they had been very submissive—­and burned a small galley anchored at Manila, together with two other large vessels.

The master-of-camp, with the force above mentioned, left Manila on the twenty-third of March, in the year one thousand five hundred and seventy-five, and arrived at the mouth of the Pangasinan River at dawn on Holy Wednesday following, without being espied by anyone; for, as was important, they observed great care.  The master-of-camp disembarked his entire force immediately, together with four pieces of artillery, leaving the mouth of the river blockaded with all his vessels, some of which he had ordered to extend themselves so that no one might enter or go out, or warn the pirate of their arrival.  He ordered others of the vessels to reconnoiter the enemy’s fleet and his fortifications.