r results after exact news of the capture or
death of Limahon. These chapters abound in interesting observations
of Chinese life, descriptions of cities, ceremonies, etc., and show
the great liberality of the Chinese in their gifts. Several Chinese
plays are witnessed, one of which is described. All things interest
these first Spaniards in China, even the Chinese compass "divided
into twelve parts, and their navigation without sea-charts." They
observe carefully, "delighting their vision with new things, that
had never been seen before." Chapter XXX relates their departure from
Tansuso and their journey toward Manila, stopping at various islands
on the way. At the island of Plon, definite news of Limahon's escape
from Pangasinan is obtained. Chapter XXXI deals with the escape of
Limahon. This resourceful man constructs a few clumsy boats out of
the half-burnt remnants of his fleet, which his men had brought into
the fort at night, without being detected by the Spaniards. With these
he escapes to the island of Tocaotican. "This news greatly distressed
them all, especially Omoncon and Sinsay. These turned against our men,
alleging that that occurrence and the pirate's flight smelt of mystery,
and must have happened with the Spaniards' consent, or because the
pirate had given gifts to the master-of-camp, so that the latter would
allow him to depart; and that it was impossible for him to escape
from such a plight in any other manner, even had the Spaniards been
asleep." These suspicions are dissipated on their arrival at Manila,
forty-five days after the departure from Tansuso, a run that should
have been made in ten days. In chapter XXXII is told the return of the
Chinese to their own land. While in Manila, certain of the Chinese
inquire into the tenets of Christianity. They advise correspondence
between the Spanish governor and the Chinese king with the object of
allowing an entrance for the gospel into China. The chief officer of
the convoy fleet is prevented from becoming a Christian only through
fear of exile and the confiscation of his property; for there is a
"law in his kingdom which is adhered to strictly, and which forbids
any one from embracing a religion at all contrary to that of the
country, without the consent of the king and his council, under
penalty of death." This law has caused certain Chinese merchants to
settle in Manila. Limahon ends his career on a distant island where
he had sought refuge, dying of m