hey might refresh themselves without any embarrassment. Then,
having dined, the queen returned to her stronghold with the retinue
that she had brought. Before she left the quarters she was saluted
by the discharge of two large pieces of artillery, which had been
made ready for that purpose. She was greatly pleased by that, and the
next day began to carry out her promises, by sending down a portion
of her possessions. The Macasars and Malays also brought down their
property with hers, and immediately embarked. I had written up to
this point to this day, Saturday, the seventeenth of this month
of April, hoping for the end of all these incipient results and
expected events regarding this stronghold; the issue has been such
as we could expect from Him who has also been pleased to arrange
and bring it to pass. Last night the queen came down to sleep in our
camp or quarters, with some of her ladies. In the morning she went to
report her good treatment to her people; for she was received with a
salute of musketry and large artillery, and a fine repast. All that
has been done to oblige her to encourage her people, for they were
very fearful, to descend immediately. More than two thousand have
now descended, and our banners are flying on the hill, and our men
are fortified on it. May God be praised, to whom be a thousand thanks
given; for He, without our knowledge or our expectations, has disposed
this matter thus--blinding this Moro and disheartening him, so that,
having been defeated, he should surrender to our governor, and give
himself up without more bloodshed. We are trying to secure Dato Ache;
if we succeed in this, I shall advise you. Now there is nothing more
to say, reverend Father, except to give God the thanks, for He is
the one who has prepared and given this victory to us; and to beg
all in your Reverence's holy college to give thanks that the college
has had (as I am very certain) so great a share in the achievements
[here]. The governor is very much pleased, and we all regard him
in the proper light. The men are full of courage, and even what was
carefully done is now improved. I am your Reverence's humble servant,
whom I pray that God may preserve as I desire, and to whose sacrifices
I earnestly commend myself. Jolo, April 17, 1638.
Juan de Barrios
All the Joloans descended, in number about four thousand six hundred,
to the sea. Finding themselves down and outside the enclosure, they
all fled, under cover
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