er,
if no other way were possible. They set about this at once, for the
father custodian and father Fray Estevan Ortiz Ortiz--religious, who
with this intention had learned the Chinese language, and could now
speak it reasonably well--communicated their desires to a soldier,
very devout in his worship, and especially well inclined toward them,
namely, Juan Diaz Pardo. This man had several times manifested and
declared to them his great desire to perform some service for God,
even at the risk of his life. He approved their desire, promising
to accompany them until death. Being thus agreed, they all went to
discuss the matter with a Chinese captain, then at the port with
a vessel, who had come to their convent many times to question
them about God and heaven, and who showed signs of an excellent
understanding, seemingly consenting to everything with expressions
of great pleasure and delight. They imparted their desire to him,
beseeching him to lend his aid for its successful issue. He offered his
aid, and promised to take them to China, on condition that they would
give him some presents for his sailors. The soldier, Juan Diaz Pardo,
promised him everything that he wanted, giving him a few reals then
and there as a token of good earnest. In order that this might be done
without the governor or anyone else perceiving it, it was agreed that
the captain should take his departure hastily, going to the port of
Bindoro, twenty leagues distant from Manila, and there he should await
them. He was to take with him the above-mentioned baptized Chinese. The
captain used all haste, and left for the port agreed upon. Within a
few days he was followed by the father custodian and his associate,
and their friend the soldier. But, at their arrival, they found the
Chinese captain had reached a new determination, and neither gifts
nor petitions could persuade him to fulfil his promises in Manila. On
the contrary, he returned them the earnest-money that he had received,
and absolutely refused to take them; for he knew that, if he did, he
would lose his life and property. Seeing this, the recently-baptized
Chinese religious wept bitterly in his indignation and sorrow, because
the devil had changed that captain's heart, so that the holy gospel
might not be preached in that kingdom. The father custodian consoled
him, and resolved to return to Manila and to await another occasion,
which they did. After they had spent several days there, it happene