of them in two villages, where the faith has penetrated with notable results, the people being well inclined to if.  This has been especially evident in one village, where the fiscal is a chief acknowledged by all its people, whom our Lord has been pleased to use as the instrument for much good to those souls.  What he has accomplished and is still accomplishing in that doctrina causes me unusual edification and consolation; for in truth, if I may judge by what I myself see when I go there, and by the common account of all, both Spaniards and Indians, even one of our fathers who might have been stationed in that village could not have wrought such results as he has done.  And this I say without exaggeration; God provides it all, and blessed be He!  This village of Paranas [2] is on the coast, and contains a few Indian fishermen, but there are many Indians in the mountains, divided, scattered, and far away; some of these have established their abodes on the coast, but they frequent it but rarely, and are (or rather were) a very churlish and fugitive people.  Yet Don Goncalo (that is the name of the fiscal) has taken hold of them in such a way that he does what he will with them, and that, too, by so quiet, gentle, and efficacious means as to cause one to wonder.  Although it is exceedingly difficult to attract their young children from home (especially among those who dwell in the mountains) Don Goncalo draws them to himself by the same means that I have already mentioned, and to such an extent that he usually has in his house nearly a hundred young boys; such was their number the other day, when I was there, and now he tells me that some twenty or thirty more have just come.  He now has them so tamed, gentle, intelligent, and contented that, considering their former savage and terrible character, I know not how I can certify it.  Those who formerly knew little or nothing of the doctrine, at present are, by common consent, those who in this mission are most proficient.  The fiscal maintains with them a regular plan and order:  morning and evening, their prayers and procession; and at night before retiring, and in the morning before dawn, they also offer their prayers—­so that the Spaniards, their encomendero said, and the collectors are notably edified thereby.  Nor does this occupation depend upon the presence there of the father or of the Spaniards, for it is always maintained.  The older boys he sends to their villages for food and shell-fish, and the little ones remain to learn, as if they were in a school.  What I especially value is, that it is all done through love; for both the children and their parents have so much affection for this man that, as I noticed the other day, the boys hardly give heed to the father, but are captivated by their Don Goncalo, and it is he whose permission they seek.  This man has received a special blessing from the Lord, and what he does comes entirely from his heart.  He not only looks after the knowledge and recitation of the doctrine, but even trains them in good habits, and punishes them gently when they are at fault.  He brings together the adult Indians in the church to pray on feast-days, and if it becomes necessary to do or undo anything in the mission, it is always entrusted to him.  Without doubt, if there were many men of this sort the lack of ministers here would be well supplied in many respects.”