receive the mercy that Raxa Mura will, on account of their treacheries; and that, if he came, they would be lost.  If they could make sure that they would not lose their heads, they would all be friendly and the island would be pacified.  But it is enough that Raxa Mura should be friendly, wherefore Captain Juan Pacho is under orders to carry on this negotiation through the mother.  If this plan of mine is not successful and fails, they must be overcome by want where they now are; for I have them so close pressed and hemmed in that they are not lords of the land a pace from their fort, and they will die of hunger, as neither salt nor fish can enter to them, and their crops have been taken from them on all sides, so they must either die or surrender.  And what makes them more reasonable is, that three days ago I took a fort at the place where I have the galliot from Vutil.  I have closed the river in such wise that there is no way to go up or down it, and I have there a captain with twenty-four soldiers.  They were greatly affected by the defeat of Terrenate; and as they had put their hope in that they lost it thereby as much as if they had been defeated.  Sali and Silonga called a meeting of all their people and sought their advice as to what to do.  All the timaguas and other chiefs told them that there was nothing to do but become the friends of the Spaniards and pay them tribute.  They answered that they would not pay tribute, but would fight first, and they warned them that they should do so.  They all answered that they did not wish to fight with the Spaniards, for it was well known that that meant to go to death.  The advice that their people gave them was good, but it pleased God that they should choose the worst.

If there had not been such a lack of rowers I should have traveled by means of two hands and forced their respect.  But I have so few Indians, and keep them so busy in all kinds of ways that we should be thankful for what has been done.  They must have harvested much rice likewise in other parts, and therefore a considerable amount of that to be sent from there [Manila] can be dispensed with.  I have something more than four hundred Indians, and two hundred and fifteen Spaniards, counting soldiers, sailors, and gunners.  Some of these are crippled and maimed.  The war of men continues.  Although I understand that this will be more costly to me than was the Terrenate war, two soldiers only have been lost—­one of them having his head carried away by a cannon-shot, and the other one his bowels by an arquebus-shot.  I sent asking your Grace if you would have those conveyed back to Manila who are no longer capable of service.  It will be a gracious act to favor their cause.