heavens themselves seem to rejoice at music so sweet.  In all the families there are many persons well-disposed to the Christian faith; and soon a large number of adults will be baptized; among them some chiefs of high standing, although the largest fish of all is not yet caught.  If it were not for the difficulty of learning the doctrine, it seems to me now that almost the whole village would come to us.”  Thus writes the father.  This “largest fish” whom he mentions is that great Silongan of whom we spoke.  Although he divorced five of his wives, one of them holds him so in captivity that finally he is keeping both of them [i.e., this one and his lawful wife].  Although every possible means of a gentle sort has been used to free him from this impediment, nothing could be done; and yet he showed a great desire to become a Christian, and the utmost esteem for the things of God, as well as extraordinary affection toward our fathers—­which he manifested by giving his son to their care, and on two occasions of special importance.  One of these was when the inhabitants, in fear of their enemies, the Ternatans, who were scouring their coasts, received the news that there were some ships at the mouth of the river, which, although they belonged to friends, were not recognized as such; the inhabitants, fearing that these might be enemies, accordingly armed themselves at once.  It was then that this chief, with all the men of his district, all armed with lances and shields, crossed to the other side of the river, where our house stood; and there, upon learning the deception and recognizing the friends, Silongan in front of our house performed some feats of activity to show his valor and strength, and said that it was he, Silongan, who protected and defended the fathers and who, in trying circumstances, showed what should be done in their behalf.  The other occasion was when one of our fathers, while going up the river, happened to encounter another chief who, on account of a murder, was plundering that district with many others who defended and guarded him.  The father, dreading this man, sought the protection of Silongan, who happened to be in the same locality.  The latter, with his numerous slaves, surrounded the church where the father was, guarding it with great vigilance; and, when he returned, took, in his own boat the box of church ornaments and brought them all back in safety.

The departure of Father Tomas de Montoya for the doctrina of Alangalang.  Chapter XXXXIV.

To take charge of this Christian community (which, as we have said, was bereft by the death of Father Cosme de Flores), Father Tomas de Montoya left Manila, abandoning the instruction which, to their great profit, he was imparting to the students.  He himself tells what he accomplished there, and I shall state it in his own words:  “As a result of the good music that we have in the church, the divine services are celebrated with much solemnity, and to the great