at same night,
however, these men returned alive and well, but the Moro pilot had
been treacherously killed by some natives, while bathing in a river
of the island of Negros. They had not anchored at Cebu, because of
the violence of the tides about it. They had coasted about Negros and
Cebu, and reported a large population and a plentiful food supply on
the latter island. A council having been called it was determined that
the fleet should go to Cebu, without delay, in order that they might
make a settlement and despatch the "San Pedro" before the rainy season
set in. Therefore on Easter Day the fleet set sail for this island,
distant from Bohol fifteen or sixteen leagues. Being delayed by calms
and contrary winds and the tides they did not reach their destination
until the twenty-seventh and thirtieth of April. In conformity with the
opinion that it was allowable to fight with the inhabitants of this
island if they refused food and would not make a true friendship and
peace--inasmuch as their chiefs had been baptized, and had afterward
apostatized, and had treated Magalhaes treacherously--Legazpi,
after meeting with expressions of hostility and defiance, sent a
party ashore to take the island. The natives immediately fled, and
the soldiers were unable to find any of them on disembarking. "Their
weapons are long sharp iron lances, throwing-sticks, shields, small
daggers, wooden corselets, corded breastplates, a few bows and arrows,
and culverins." About one hundred houses were burned, the fire having
started from an accidental shot from one of the vessels, or having
been lit purposely by the natives. The soldiers were quartered in the
houses remaining after the fire. "There was found a marvelous thing,
namely, a child Jesus like those of Flanders, in its little pine
cradle and its little loose shirt, such as come from those parts,
and a little velvet hat, like those of Flanders--and all so well
preserved that only the little cross, which is generally upon the
globe that he holds in his hands, was missing. [59] Meanwhile, as
was right, the general had this prize, and when he saw it, he fell
on his knees, receiving it with great devotion. He took it in his
hands and kissed its feet; and raising his eyes to heaven, he said:
'Lord, thou art powerful to punish the offenses, committed in this
island against thy majesty, and to found herein thy house, and holy
Church, where thy most glorious name shall be praised and magnified.