g those new nations.

Of our departure from Tigbauan and our entrance into Sebu, Leite,
and other islands. Chapter XII.

At this time died Father Martin Henriquez, who had remained in
Taitai; he gave way under the laborious task of ministering alone
to so many souls, which he did with such perfection and fervor that
it was impossible to maintain strength for so much. This father was
so fervent and energetic that in three months he had learned the
language; and, in six, composed in it a catechism and a treatise
on confession. He also prepared a collection of sermons for all the
Sundays and feasts, and on the four last things, [62] as well as other
matters profitable to those peoples, who greatly respected his purity
of life and the vigor of his preaching. I have seen him leave his food,
to go to administer baptism or extreme unction to a sick man. He
was most devoted to our Lady, and, whenever he sat down to study,
he took out a little image of her which he always carried with him,
and placed it on the table that he might have it before him. Every
day I saw him, among other holy exercises, recite his rosary, and
devote one half-hour to prayer in the afternoons (besides the entire
hour in the morning); and every night he would scourge himself. He
was an indefatigable worker, and consequently slept little, which
was more than he could endure. He died a holy death, the same year
when he came to the Filipinas, before twelve months had elapsed;
and, when his work is considered, we wonder that he lived so long. On
account of his death, Father Francisco Almerique was obliged to leave
Manila--where his duties were by no means light among the Indians of
that city and district, who all sought his aid. As he had abandoned
these heavy labors only to undertake others as great, he soon fell
ill. To lighten his burden, the two who had remained in Manila took
up the double task; these two were the father rector, Antonio Sedeno,
and Father Raymundo de Prado. They took turns in doing this work, one
remaining a week in Manila while the other went to Taitai. This sort
of life could not last long; and so our Lord, who aids the greatest
necessities, inspired the good father to inform me of the difficulties
in which they were, and order me to return to Manila. There we could
plan our course of life in accordance with the advices which might
come to us in the ships, which were expected soon--either uniting
the four of us who remained, to