obstinately to his former opinion, answering them that it was still too early, because our friendship with the Chinese was but slight; and that already the Augustinians had tried to effect an entrance to China many times, but had been unable to attain their desire—­on the contrary, the Chinese who took the latter with them had left them deceitfully on some islands—­until the opportunity afforded by the pirate Limahon and the coming of the captain Omoncon.  Then the latter had conveyed them, with the good news of the straits to which the pirate was come; and notwithstanding this they were ordered to return from Aucheo without being allowed to remain in the country to preach the holy gospel.  And now to make this attempt would give the Chinese opportunity to make daily jests of the Spaniards.  Therefore they should wait until God should open the door for this entrance, at such time as His holy will should determine, which could not be much delayed.  The father custodian having received the governor’s reply, and seeing that he persevered in his obstinacy in not seeking means whereby they could effect their desired entrance upon the mainland, commenced secret negotiations, with the object of procuring, by all available means, some way of making the journey—­even without the said governor’s order, if no other way were possible.  They set about this at once, for the father custodian and father Fray Estevan Ortiz Ortiz—­religious, who with this intention had learned the Chinese language, and could now speak it reasonably well—­communicated their desires to a soldier, very devout in his worship, and especially well inclined toward them, namely, Juan Diaz Pardo.  This man had several times manifested and declared to them his great desire to perform some service for God, even at the risk of his life.  He approved their desire, promising to accompany them until death.  Being thus agreed, they all went to discuss the matter with a Chinese captain, then at the port with a vessel, who had come to their convent many times to question them about God and heaven, and who showed signs of an excellent understanding, seemingly consenting to everything with expressions of great pleasure and delight.  They imparted their desire to him, beseeching him to lend his aid for its successful issue.  He offered his aid, and promised to take them to China, on condition that they would give him some presents for his sailors.  The soldier, Juan Diaz Pardo, promised him everything that he wanted, giving him a few reals then and there as a token of good earnest.  In order that this might be done without the governor or anyone else perceiving it, it was agreed that the captain should take his departure hastily, going to the port of Bindoro, twenty leagues distant from Manila, and there he should await them.  He was to take with him the above-mentioned baptized Chinese.  The captain used all haste, and left for the port agreed upon.  Within a few days he was followed by the father custodian and his