the Moro entered his fort.  The master-of-camp returned to his ship, leaving all the oared boats and most of his men on shore, less than thirty paces from the town; and gave general orders that no man should enter the town, until the Moros, who seemed quite irritated, had regained their calm.  Then leaving ashore the sergeant-major, Juan de Moron, in command, he returned to his ship to have it moored and set in order.

In the afternoon of the same day, at three o’clock, the Moro Mahomate asked permission to spend the night among his relatives, and the master-of-camp granted his request.  During the day the Moros came to look at the soldiers ashore with their arquebuses and lighted match-ropes.  The Moros carried their weapons and showed a rather bold attitude.  They even did things which the Spaniards not often tolerate; but in order to obey the orders of the master-of-camp, and not give the appearance of starting hostilities on our side, they overlooked all the unmeasured boldness displayed by the Moros.  At nightfall the men ashore withdrew to the ships, where they slept.  The next morning the Moro Mahomete returned with the same ambassador who had first come.  The latter bore a message from Rraxa Soliman, to the effect that he had been informed that a tribute was to be asked of him; and that, consequently, he would not allow the Spaniards to enter the river.  The master-of-camp—­as one desirous of peace, and in view of the orders of the governor to make peace with the said town of Menilla—­in his answer, requested the messenger to tell his lord not to believe such reports, for hitherto he had not asked for any tribute from him.  He added that they would see each other again, and make a friendly settlement, which would be to his taste.  Thus he dismissed the messenger; and he himself, after a little thought, went ashore with only the Spanish and Moro interpreters, without notifying any one of what he was going to do.  He entered the palisade, whose gates were guarded by many Moros, and was led by the Moros straightway to a small house, where he was bidden to await King Soliman.  As soon as the latter heard that the master-of-camp was within the fort, he hastened to him; and both went to a house where they made a friendly compact, after the fashion of the land—­namely, in this wise:  the master-of-camp drew blood with the two chiefs, uncle and nephew—­both called Rraxa, which in the Malay language signifies king.  The Moros drank the blood of the master-of-camp mixed with wine, and the master-of-camp drank that of the Moros in a similar way.  Thus the friendship was established, on the terms that the Moros of Menilla were to support the Spaniards who came to settle there; and, doing this, they should pay no other tribute.  The master-of-camp asked them for a list of the neighboring towns on the bay; and they gave him the names of forty towns of those situated on the shore, besides those inland.  After this friendly agreement had been made with the Moros, who promised to give some food for our men, the master-of-camp left the fort, much to our pleasure.  The Moros, notwithstanding the great security given them by the master-of-camp, persisted in their hostile and warlike attitude; and, even on account of the peace made, would not lay aside their weapons—­on the contrary, the number of armed men seemed to be increasing continually.