Account of certain remarkable things seen in these Filipinas Islands.  Chapter XIII.

The inhabitants of these islands were accustomed to celebrate their feasts above mentioned, and to sacrifice to their idols, at the order of certain witches, called in their own speech Holgoi.  These witches were held in as great esteem among them as are priests among Christians.  They talked quite commonly with the devil, and many times publicly; and they worked many devilish witcheries, by word and deed.  The devil himself, beyond any doubt, took possession of them, and then they answered to all questions, although often they lied, or told things capable of many interpretations and different meanings.  Likewise they were wont to cast lots, as has been related in the first part of this history.  They were so superstitious that if they commenced any voyage, and at its beginning happened to see a crocodile, lizard, or any other reptile, which they recognized as an ill omen, they discontinued their journey, whatever its importance, and returned home, saying that the sky was not propitious to that journey.  The evangelical law, as above stated, has driven away all these falsities, to which the devil had persuaded them.  Now there are many monasteries of religious established in their midst, of the orders of St. Augustine, St. Francis, and the Society of Jesus.  Current report declares that the number of souls converted and baptized in these islands exceeds four hundred thousand—­which, although a great number, is but little in comparison with those still remaining.  The rest fail to become Christians, as I have declared, through lack of religious workers; for although his Majesty continues to send them, taking no account of the great expense incurred therein, the islands are so many (and more are being discovered daily) and so distant that it has been impossible to send the necessary aid to all of them.  The natives who are baptized receive the faith with avidity and are excellent Christians; and they will be even better, if aided with good examples, as is incumbent upon those who have been Christians for so long.  But the actions of some of them make them so hated by the natives that the latter do not wish even to see their pictures.

A remarkable thing. For proof of this assertion, and in order to induce those in authority to remedy this condition of affairs, I will relate here a strange but well authenticated occurrence in these islands, and a thing thoroughly well known in them all.  In this particular island one of the chief inhabitants died a few days after his baptism.  At his death he was very contrite for the sins that he had committed against God before and after his baptism.  Afterward he appeared, by divine permission, to many persons of that island, whom he persuaded by forcible reasoning to receive baptism immediately, declaring to them, as one who had experienced it, the reward of celestial bliss, which, without any doubt, would be granted through