ven to make
them retire, notwithstanding the very great disproportion between
the two forces. In retiring, the Chinese lost some soldiers without
inflicting any serious loss on the Spaniards, who performed many
remarkable deeds in this defense. Thereupon the Chinese, inasmuch as
they had left their boats at some distance, because they had no time
to bring them nearer, resolved to abandon the assault begun by them,
in its present condition; and to seek shelter and refresh themselves
from their past toil, in order that they might return later with their
captain-general Limahon (whom they were awaiting), to bring their plan
to completion, a thing that they considered to be, by this means,
very easy of accomplishment. When they reached their boats, as they
feared some danger, they began a return to the fleet, steering directly
toward the place where they had left it; they caught sight of it not
long afterward, past a point in sight of the city of Manila. Taking
their course toward the fleet, they came to the flagship, in which was
the pirate Limahon. They related to him the affair in all its details,
and how, on account of the contrary winds, they had been unable to
reach land in the time set by him, and which they wished. Therefore
they had not completed the undertaking and had deferred it, because
of his absence, until a better opportunity. He consoled them, and
thanked them for what they had done until then. He promised them to
make a very speedy end to his damnable purpose, and at once commanded
that the bow of his flagship be directed toward a port called Cabite,
situated two leagues from the city of Manila. From this latter place
the said fleet could be easily seen passing on its way.

The governor of Manila fortifies himself in order to await the
onslaught of the Chinese, and drives them back. Limahon having returned
occupies the land along the Pangasinan River. Chapter VI.

The governor, Guido de Labacares, who, by the order of his Majesty,
had succeeded to the governorship at the death of Miguel Lopez de
Legaspi, was then in those islands, and in that of Manila. He, taking
into consideration the pirate's great fleet and large following,
and the few defenses and means of resistance in the city, assembled
the captains and citizens with the utmost despatch, and with their
unanimous approbation set about making some defenses, while the
enemy was in the port aforesaid, that the Spaniards might defend
themselves