ship,
but as by a miracle; for I jumped into the water from the lantern,
clothed as I was with my black habit. By God's help I was enabled to
reach a small boat, in which I escaped, as above described. May the
Lord's will be fulfilled. With this I have been in danger of death
seven times from the water while in the islands, whence the Lord by
His mercy has miraculously drawn and freed me. The first was shortly
after my arrival in the country, at Aclan. While bathing in the river,
suddenly a current came whose rapidity seized me and bore me beyond my
depth. I was already lost and surrendered myself to the mercy of the
water, for I could not swim. God inspired a sacristan who was there,
who dived quickly into the water, followed me, and, catching hold of
me, drew me ashore. The second was while prior of Ibahay, and when
I was visiting the islands. While crossing to one, so fierce a storm
struck me that the Indians gave up hope, and thought only of dying. The
little boat was a poor one, without helm or sail. All human aid being
exhausted, I had recourse to the [departed] souls, who obtained a
change of wind from the Lord; thus, with a powerful north wind, and
the anchor thrown astern from a cable to aid as a rudder, we reached
a little islet at two o'clock at night. There we moored, that stormy
night. As soon as we reached the islet, the vendaval began to blow
again, so that it would seem that the north wind had blown only for
that. The third was in the same river of Ibahay. While ascending it
when it had a very large strong current (for it is a furious river),
it overturned my little boat, and drew me under; but, although I
did not know how to swim, the water was drawn from under me, and I
remained on the surface of the water, in such manner that I did not
sink beyond my girdle. And thus, with half my body out of the water,
the current carried me a long distance. The Indians were following
me in all haste with the little boat, supporting it with their hands;
and, when it overtook me, I climbed on top of it, overturned as it was,
and in that manner they dragged me ashore. From there I went to the
village, passing through streams as deep as my waist, or even to the
shoulders, and many times even up to the throat, at the imminent risk
of attack by crocodiles, and of life, and health; for I did not dare
enter the boat again. The fourth was in Laglag, when I was going on
horseback to the visitas of that district. The road was