vince
and the letters from Japan for your Paternity were sent. But, after
sailing for eight months, these ships encountered a violent contrary
wind, and, having on board a great number of sailors, were gradually
driven back by sickness, hunger, and the fury of the waves, which
swept the men from the very decks of the ships to be drowned in the
waters. The vessels struck on rocks and were wrecked, a few men only
being rescued, like the servants of Job, from the immediate danger,
to announce the destruction--which, being increased by one misfortune
and mishap in war after another, heaped sorrow upon us. On one of these
ships, called the "San Geronimo," was Father Pedro Lopez de Parra, a
professed religious of our Society--who, as we trust, after this long
voyage (or rather that longer one of thirty-seven years in religion),
has entered the gate of eternal life, laden with a rich treasure
of good works. He taught philosophy and theology in Nueva Espana,
having been one of the first members of the Society formerly sent
thither; he trained our ministers with fruitful results. Although we
have heard nothing certain with regard to the details of his death,
yet, as he took great delight in the duty of hearing confessions and
helping souls, it is likely that with great devotion he aided all in
that extremity of danger. [33]

In another disaster we have lost another priest and a brother, if loss
be the proper name to give to the death of those who have been slain
for the gain of souls, and while aiding their brethren in a just war
against heretic pirates. These were Hollanders and Zeelanders who
were driven to the Philippine Islands in the year 1600, and came to
get booty on the sea called the Northern Ocean, or "Mar del Norte"
(for they had already made spoil of a Portuguese ship), and, after
passing the Strait of Magellan, had, in that southerly ocean called
"Mar del Sur," done likewise with a small vessel from Peru. Their
leading vessels, the flagship and the almiranta, took a station six
leagues from Manila, where the Spanish, Japanese, and Chinese ships
had to unload their cargoes, and to which all the smacks and other
small boats that left the city had to hold their course. Against
these ships of the enemy there were sent out from Manila two ships
provided with three hundred of the best soldiers of these islands,
together with many bombards and other equipments of war. In the chief
ships were Father Diego de Santiago and B