yard (which they were carrying down), shook out the sails full, and then were able to make land with the sides under water, and the sea running sky-high.  They just missed scraping the sunken rocks about the island.  The most courageous man among them was our religious, for no one, neither soldier nor sailor, met the danger with greater courage or resolution.  At length they reached Hermosa Island at a time that proved the redemption of those men, for already were they eating rats.  They were in the extreme of necessity; for neither did any Chinese come, nor had the Spaniards any silver to attract them, for that is the most efficacious allurement.  Captain Don Antonio de Vera had gone out with twenty men; but some Indian chiefs daringly killed him and his men.  Captain Lazaro de Torres rallied to this necessity.  He went outside, relieved the fort, gave what food he had, and then—­having nothing to do, and suspecting that the governor had put back into port—­he returned with our religious.  The latter came near dying on account of his great hardships; and indeed death overcame him after he returned to the land of Manila—­where because of those sufferings he never again raised his head in health.

During this same time, I mean in 1628, the house of our convent of Bisayas was burned—­the one which I had built with so much trouble.  It was the best in the province.  It is suspected that the rebellious Indians burned it, as it was not the time when fires are wont to happen, for it was Christmas, when it is always rainy.

During the triennium of our father Fray Juan Enriquez, the church and house of Dumangas were burned.  They were fine edifices.  Both fires occurred during the night, so that it was a miracle that the religious escaped; for they were asleep, a sign that the fire was set on purpose.

During this triennium the Manila Parian was burned.  It was a miracle that the city was not burned; and the interests that were ruined were very large.  Although the church of the Parian was so near to the houses, and entirely of wood, it did not burn, whereat all the Sangleys were much surprised.  They said afterward in their broken language, “Here St. Mary great” [aqui Sta.  Maria grande].  The walls and supports were aglow with the fire and brightness, or rather, were ablaze, as they were so hot that the hand could not be placed upon them.  This made the wonder all the greater, and the Sangleys became more attentive to the consideration of our truths.  The Parian was rebuilt better; its houses were roofed with tile, so that it is very sightly; and, with the point adjoining it on the river, which has been finished, it has added glory and honor to the city.  All was done, as I have said, at the cost of the Sangleys.  But they cause the Castilian to pay it, by raising prices universally.

[The chapter closes with several miraculous occurrences and pious observations that emphasize the grandeur of the Christian religion.  These marvels are interspersed with other matter as follows:]