Mariveles, where they lay very much at ease and without any fear, watching for the vessels coming to this city.  They captured a fragata, which they sank.  They took a quantity of flour from a Japanese vessel that was on its way here.  In order to quiet the Japanese, they gave them a sword, and a few trinkets of no particular value.  They captured a Chinese champan, by which they were informed that the Chinese vessels would arrive within a few months, laden with silks and merchandise of great value.  This news pleased the enemy so highly that they did not propose to leave until they should seize some of the Chinese.  From this place they wrote a letter to Don Francisco Tello, in which they declared that the Indians there had stolen a number of fowls from them, that his Lordship should order the Indians to make them good, and that they were coming to pay their respects to him.  It may be seen by this how little they feared the governor.

While these things were taking place, the governor had three ships fitted out—­one from the city of Cebu, to act as flagship; another, a galizabra, still in the shipyard—­which was launched a few days before the departure—­called “San Bartolome,” to act as almiranta; and a Portuguese patache [26] which had come from Malaca—­with artillery, men, and munitions sufficient to overbalance the greater strength of the enemy.  Doctor Antonio de Morga, auditor of this royal Audiencia, was appointed captain-general of this fleet, an appointment which highly displeased the old captains, because in their opinion they should have been considered.  They thought it unjust that the auditors should take part in the affair, especially because it left only one auditor in the Audiencia.  In the end, however, neither these nor other reasons sufficed to prevent his appointment.  The general appointed as admiral Captain Joan de Alzega, a very courageous soldier, of considerable reputation and credit, a Biscayan by birth.  Many noble and wealthy people assisted in serving his Majesty in this expedition, in all about three hundred men, counting the paid soldiers, the seamen, and others.  They embarked very gallantly, with the resolution and intention of attempting not only that undertaking, but another of greater weight and difficulty.

The general was impatient for the fleet to depart, and accordingly set sail on Tuesday, the twelfth of December.  The flagship and almiranta left, without waiting for the Portuguese vessel, or allotting it sufficient crew or munitions, taking advantage of a tide which was discovered at the time of their departure, which was favorable to them.  Accordingly they began their voyage.  As they left the bay, beyond the river of Canas, three leguas from the harbor, the shallop which was carried on the stern of the almiranta went to the bottom, and drowned two seamen who were in it.  They continued their voyage, and that night cast anchor at Mariveles, where they lay the rest of the night.  In the morning they were informed