Christian, a child of five or six years—­of whom I knew nothing, as they had concealed him and others from me, being reluctant, through their natural barbarity and wildness, to hold intercourse with us and deliver up the objects of their affection.  This child fell ill, and, realizing his condition, urged his infidel parents to summon me.  They made me repair to him in great haste, for as I was told that the sick boy had called for me, I was convinced that he was not so young that he could not at least confess.  In short, I went; I merely read the gospel to him, and in a few days he was cured of his sickness.  As a result of the visit, which was greatly appreciated by the people, that village was won—­especially his own parents, who were afterward pleased to have their son go to Tigbauan to join the school with the rest.  The town of Arevalo is three leagues distant from Tigbauan; we also assisted there in the pulpit and the confessional, at the instance of the Spaniards who resided there, and of the bishop’s vicar, in whose charge they were.  This vicar was then the licentiate Don Francisco Gomez Arellano, archdeacon of Manila, through whose earnestness and devotion divine worship was greatly augmented in that church, and its service increased.  This vicar embellished it with new ornaments, very rich and curious, such as lamps and silver candlesticks, thereby augmenting the reputation and esteem of our holy religion among those new nations.

Of our departure from Tigbauan and our entrance into Sebu, Leite, and other islands.  Chapter XII.

At this time died Father Martin Henriquez, who had remained in Taitai; he gave way under the laborious task of ministering alone to so many souls, which he did with such perfection and fervor that it was impossible to maintain strength for so much.  This father was so fervent and energetic that in three months he had learned the language; and, in six, composed in it a catechism and a treatise on confession.  He also prepared a collection of sermons for all the Sundays and feasts, and on the four last things, [62] as well as other matters profitable to those peoples, who greatly respected his purity of life and the vigor of his preaching.  I have seen him leave his food, to go to administer baptism or extreme unction to a sick man.  He was most devoted to our Lady, and, whenever he sat down to study, he took out a little image of her which he always carried with him, and placed it on the table that he might have it before him.  Every day I saw him, among other holy exercises, recite his rosary, and devote one half-hour to prayer in the afternoons (besides the entire hour in the morning); and every night he would scourge himself.  He was an indefatigable worker, and consequently slept little, which was more than he could endure.  He died a holy death, the same year when he came to the Filipinas, before twelve months had elapsed; and, when his work is considered, we wonder that he lived so long.  On account of his death, Father Francisco