it were not for
the difficulty of learning the doctrine, it seems to me now that almost
the whole village would come to us." Thus writes the father. This
"largest fish" whom he mentions is that great Silongan of whom we
spoke. Although he divorced five of his wives, one of them holds him
so in captivity that finally he is keeping both of them [_i.e._,
this one and his lawful wife]. Although every possible means of a
gentle sort has been used to free him from this impediment, nothing
could be done; and yet he showed a great desire to become a Christian,
and the utmost esteem for the things of God, as well as extraordinary
affection toward our fathers--which he manifested by giving his
son to their care, and on two occasions of special importance. One
of these was when the inhabitants, in fear of their enemies, the
Ternatans, who were scouring their coasts, received the news that
there were some ships at the mouth of the river, which, although they
belonged to friends, were not recognized as such; the inhabitants,
fearing that these might be enemies, accordingly armed themselves at
once. It was then that this chief, with all the men of his district,
all armed with lances and shields, crossed to the other side of the
river, where our house stood; and there, upon learning the deception
and recognizing the friends, Silongan in front of our house performed
some feats of activity to show his valor and strength, and said that it
was he, Silongan, who protected and defended the fathers and who, in
trying circumstances, showed what should be done in their behalf. The
other occasion was when one of our fathers, while going up the river,
happened to encounter another chief who, on account of a murder, was
plundering that district with many others who defended and guarded
him. The father, dreading this man, sought the protection of Silongan,
who happened to be in the same locality. The latter, with his numerous
slaves, surrounded the church where the father was, guarding it with
great vigilance; and, when he returned, took, in his own boat the
box of church ornaments and brought them all back in safety.

The departure of Father Tomas de Montoya for the doctrina of
Alangalang. Chapter XXXXIV.

To take charge of this Christian community (which, as we have said,
was bereft by the death of Father Cosme de Flores), Father Tomas de
Montoya left Manila, abandoning the instruction which, to their great
profit, he was imparting to th