en, for
already were they eating rats. They were in the extreme of necessity;
for neither did any Chinese come, nor had the Spaniards any silver to
attract them, for that is the most efficacious allurement. Captain Don
Antonio de Vera had gone out with twenty men; but some Indian chiefs
daringly killed him and his men. Captain Lazaro de Torres rallied to
this necessity. He went outside, relieved the fort, gave what food he
had, and then--having nothing to do, and suspecting that the governor
had put back into port--he returned with our religious. The latter
came near dying on account of his great hardships; and indeed death
overcame him after he returned to the land of Manila--where because
of those sufferings he never again raised his head in health.

During this same time, I mean in 1628, the house of our convent of
Bisayas was burned--the one which I had built with so much trouble. It
was the best in the province. It is suspected that the rebellious
Indians burned it, as it was not the time when fires are wont to
happen, for it was Christmas, when it is always rainy.

During the triennium of our father Fray Juan Enriquez, the church and
house of Dumangas were burned. They were fine edifices. Both fires
occurred during the night, so that it was a miracle that the religious
escaped; for they were asleep, a sign that the fire was set on purpose.

During this triennium the Manila Parian was burned. It was a miracle
that the city was not burned; and the interests that were ruined
were very large. Although the church of the Parian was so near to
the houses, and entirely of wood, it did not burn, whereat all the
Sangleys were much surprised. They said afterward in their broken
language, "Here St. Mary great" [_aqui Sta. Maria grande_]. The walls
and supports were aglow with the fire and brightness, or rather,
were ablaze, as they were so hot that the hand could not be placed
upon them. This made the wonder all the greater, and the Sangleys
became more attentive to the consideration of our truths. The Parian
was rebuilt better; its houses were roofed with tile, so that it is
very sightly; and, with the point adjoining it on the river, which
has been finished, it has added glory and honor to the city. All was
done, as I have said, at the cost of the Sangleys. But they cause
the Castilian to pay it, by raising prices universally.

[The chapter closes with several miraculous occurrences and
pious observations that emphasize