in that very wide gulf, which is, without doubt, the greatest known.  From there he went to Mejico.  His return caused not a little wonder in that kingdom, and he was considered as an extraordinary man; for he, invested with the habit, had discovered what so many and so notable men had failed in, and could not accomplish.  It was an undertaking that God had reserved for our holy order.  Father Fray Andres de Urdaneta remained but a short time in Mejico, for he found a vessel about to sail to Espana, and he took passage thereon, together with his companion, father Fray Andres de Aguirre.  He arrived in Espana safely, where he informed his Majesty fully of all that he had done in his service, in obedience to his order; and also of the state of affairs in Filipinas, and the necessity for their succor, if the undertaking was to be continued.  His Majesty granted him audience with great kindness, and considered himself well served in all that had been accomplished.  He gave orders that father Fray Andres and his companion should be supplied with all necessities while they remained at court.

Father Urdaneta settled all matters pertaining to these islands very carefully and satisfactorily.  When everything was concluded, he requested leave of the members of the Council to return to Nueva Espana, where he desired to finish his days in peace.  The Council asked him to wait a while, so that after his Majesty had concluded affairs in Flandes, with which he was very busy, he could hear him at leisure and remunerate his great labors.  Father Urdaneta replied that his object in coming to court was only to inform his Majesty of what had been ordered him, and he was sure that in the services that he had performed after he became a religious (reward for which he wished from God alone) he had no other aim than to obey his superiors, and at the same time to serve his Majesty for the alms and favors that he had granted to the Augustinian order in the Indias.  Finally, they had to grant him this permission, although first his Majesty granted him audience very willingly, and showed himself as capable in those matters as in all others of his kingdom and seigniory.  Thereupon, the two fathers, Fray Andres de Urdaneta and Fray Andres de Aguirre, took passage for Nueva Espana, where they arrived in good health, after much wandering and shipwreck.  Father Urdaneta lived after this, until June 23, 1568, when our Lord was pleased to take him, to reward him, as is believed, with His eternal rest.  At his death he was seventy years old, less some months.  He wore the habit for fifteen years, which we believe were of great merit; for he was ever an austere religious, very poor, very humble, and beyond belief obedient—­things which in heaven he will have found well gained.  Father Fray Andres de Aguirre, Father Urdaneta’s companion in his wanderings and labors, remained in the province of Mejico until the year 1580, when he returned to Filipinas, moved by great and powerful