“The devil, envious of such success, sought to disturb our new Christian community with rumors of war, which compelled us to return to the village of Tobigo.  There, while the people were wrought up to the most ardent fervor of prayers and conversions, forty-eight armed men descended upon the village, to plunder it and to burn the church.  That night our people posted a sentinel, and kindled large fires, and so the enemy did not dare to enter openly; but they remained in the neighborhood to rob anyone who might enter or leave the village.  On the morning of the next day, armed with better weapons than theirs—­namely, with confidence in the Lord, whose work we are doing—­I set out to go where they were, taking with me Brother Dionisio (who has been, in all these experiences, my very faithful companion); and there I said to them:  ’Fear not, my children, for I am your father, not the alcalde-mayor; I come to do you good, not harm.  What do you fear from a man unarmed and alone, who puts himself in your power?  You behold me here.  If you desire me for a slave, I will live with you in your village of Tibor, and will serve you as a slave if you will in turn let me teach you how you may obtain salvation.  I have compassion on you when I see you acting thus, for if the Spaniards seize you they will do you much harm.  Let us be friends, and in token of our friendship, take this garment:’  and I handed to the chiefs an elegant striped mantilla, asking them to give me also some pledge.  They presented to me a necklace, and then we embraced each other and drank from the same cup.  In short, we became so good friends that they promised me that whenever I might summon them to Loboc, they would come, provided that they would bring but few people.  They gave me a little fruit and some eggs, and I gave them a basket of rice.  After expressions of friendship had been exchanged, I asked them to make peace also with my friends of Tobigon; this they did, and departed abashed without having done any harm.  May God bring them to a place where they can receive instruction; for some of them, when questioned, replied that I was the first Spaniard whom they had ever seen in their lives.  This took place near Sebu; what must be the condition of affairs elsewhere?”

Another letter from Father Valerio to the father-visitor, dated October 4, gives the following account:  “Father Gabriel writes me that he has baptized in Loboc and Dita more than four hundred souls, most of them children under the age of reason.  In these three months I find, upon examination, that more than a thousand souls have been baptized, and that the ardor of numberless others is aroused.  The fathers write me that the hour has come in which God is present in this island.  May your Reverence send us laborers, or at least one father, until those from Espana arrive.  Fortunate is he who may come hither, for he will delight in the fervor of this primitive church.”