bodes on the coast, but they
frequent it but rarely, and are (or rather were) a very churlish and
fugitive people. Yet Don Goncalo (that is the name of the fiscal) has
taken hold of them in such a way that he does what he will with them,
and that, too, by so quiet, gentle, and efficacious means as to cause
one to wonder. Although it is exceedingly difficult to attract their
young children from home (especially among those who dwell in the
mountains) Don Goncalo draws them to himself by the same means that
I have already mentioned, and to such an extent that he usually has
in his house nearly a hundred young boys; such was their number the
other day, when I was there, and now he tells me that some twenty
or thirty more have just come. He now has them so tamed, gentle,
intelligent, and contented that, considering their former savage
and terrible character, I know not how I can certify it. Those who
formerly knew little or nothing of the doctrine, at present are, by
common consent, those who in this mission are most proficient. The
fiscal maintains with them a regular plan and order: morning and
evening, their prayers and procession; and at night before retiring,
and in the morning before dawn, they also offer their prayers--so
that the Spaniards, their encomendero said, and the collectors are
notably edified thereby. Nor does this occupation depend upon the
presence there of the father or of the Spaniards, for it is always
maintained. The older boys he sends to their villages for food and
shell-fish, and the little ones remain to learn, as if they were in a
school. What I especially value is, that it is all done through love;
for both the children and their parents have so much affection for
this man that, as I noticed the other day, the boys hardly give heed
to the father, but are captivated by their Don Goncalo, and it is he
whose permission they seek. This man has received a special blessing
from the Lord, and what he does comes entirely from his heart. He
not only looks after the knowledge and recitation of the doctrine,
but even trains them in good habits, and punishes them gently when
they are at fault. He brings together the adult Indians in the church
to pray on feast-days, and if it becomes necessary to do or undo
anything in the mission, it is always entrusted to him. Without doubt,
if there were many men of this sort the lack of ministers here would
be well supplied in many respects."

The arrival in the P