The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898 — Volume 13 of 55 eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 301 pages of information about The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898 — Volume 13 of 55.

The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898 — Volume 13 of 55 eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 301 pages of information about The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898 — Volume 13 of 55.
almiranta and their flagship (in which sailed, as commander, a corsair named Oliverio del Nort) were stationed at a place six leguas from Manila, where the ships from Espana, China, and Japon were obliged to enter, and where all the ships and vessels which leave that city must be inspected.  Against the two Dutch ships went forth two others from Manila, carrying more than three hundred men, the flower of the militia of those islands, with much artillery and military supplies.  In the flagship went Father Diego de Santiago and Brother Bartolome Calvo, at the request of General Antonio de Morga, auditor of the royal Audiencia, and other officers, who were wont to confess to the father, because he had a very affable manner, and could adapt himself to all persons.  At the outset he heard the confessions of most of the men, and encouraged them, as well as he could, to make the attack and to fight valiantly.  Finally, on the fourteenth day of December, they sighted the enemy; and crowding on sail, in their eagerness to overtake him, both flagships grappled together, so closely that one could cross unimpeded from one vessel to the other.  They finally succeeded in seizing the enemy’s colors and hoisting them on our flagship, our men confident of success, and already shouting “Victory!” But the ship, whether unsteady (for, carrying so many people on one side, it took in water through the port-holes of the lower tier of cannon), or laid open at the keel by the very weight of our guns (which were very large), or by the will of God, went to the bottom with all its crew—­except a few men who seized the enemy’s shallop and escaped in it, and some others who reached the shore by swimming.  Among the latter was the commander, who with the enemy’s two flags gained the shore.  Our almiranta (which was a new galizabra), in charge of Admiral Juan de Arcega, grappled with the enemy’s almiranta, captured it, and brought it to Manila, where justice was executed upon the corsairs who were in it.  Among the dead and drowned—­who numbered one hundred and nine Spaniards, the pick of the captains and soldiers of those islands; and one hundred and fifty negroes and Indians—­perished Father Diego de Santiago.  He died bravely, encouraging the men, and having heard the confessions of nearly all.  Seeing, a short time beforehand, that the ship was about to go down, he intended to save himself by swimming; but he heard the voice of a captain, who said to him:  “Father, hear me but a word, for it concerns my salvation.”  With much charity, he remained until the last moment, to hear the soldier’s confession; and afterward neither the father nor his companion was seen.  The father was twenty-nine years old, a member of the Society for fifteen years, and a shepherd of the Indians and Spaniards.  Brother Bartolome Calvo was of the same age, attached to the Society in these parts for seven years.  He possessed much virtue and died through obedience, a quality for which he ever professed much esteem.

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The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898 — Volume 13 of 55 from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.