ght be of great importance here, and that
it was very necessary that they should come to the defense of this
city, even though they should be putting the Pintados in danger; for,
if this city were out of danger, it might repair the other losses. It
was likewise taken into consideration that even if their recall were
not necessary on this occasion of the uprising, it would be so if the
Chinese came with their fleet between now and the month of March, at
which time they are expected, and during this whole season. When this
opportunity is passed, the galeotas cannot come nor can the troops,
seeing that the weather is contrary and navigation is very difficult
and dangerous. In short, the galeotas arrived here, both of them with
the troops, and remained in this fort. I was very glad to see them
here, as affairs turned out.

Among the prisoners who were taken by the Mindanao people last year
was Captain Martin de Mendia, a worthy man and an old encomendero
in this land. The enemy gave him his freedom on account of his good
reputation, and trusted him for his ransom. As he had given his word
to other Spanish prisoners whom they were also taking into captivity
that he would return to negotiate for their freedom--being resolved
upon this, and to ransom native chiefs from these islands who had
been taken captive at that time, and likewise to learn whether the
said Mindanao was arming to come back here--having arrived at the said
island of Mindanao and spoken with the commander Umpi, who was the head
of the army of the year past, the latter was greatly pleased to see
him, and agreed with him in regard to everything which he desired. He
gave to Captain Mendia, without ransom, three or four Spaniards whom
he held captive, and besought him with much importunity to make him
a friend of the Spaniards. He gave him a letter for me, and likewise
sent with it a nephew of his. Another chief, named Silonga, [30] who
holds the most authority of all in affairs of war, did likewise. He
also gave up without ransom two other Spaniards, a few natives, and
a priest, and likewise sent one of his nephews. They are both here;
and within the few days since they have arrived it is understood that
fifty ships from Mindanao have gone against the islands of Leyte and
Camar, which are in the province of Cebu, and have wrought havoc there;
the commander was Buycan, another chief from Mindanao. Between these
three, Umpi, Silonga, and Buycan, and the present k