The Philippine Islands, 1493-1803; explorations by early navigators, descriptions of the islands and their peoples, their history and records of the Catholic missions, as related in contemporaneous books and manuscripts, showing the political, economic, commericial and religious conditions of those islands from their earliest relations with European nations to the beginning of the nineteenth century; [Vol. 1, no. 24]

I63o0-634]

MEDINA'S HISTORIA

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pany, but each one takes the direction which is most
expedient for it, relying on God, who will aid them.
The storms were frightful. The almiranta suffered
the most terrible voyage that ever ship has suffered.
For after a few blasts they had to cut down the mast,
and, when they reached thirty-six degrees, they lost
their rudder. In such plight they agreed to return,
suffering destructive hurricanes, so that, had not the
ship been so staunch, it would have been swallowed
up in the sea a thousand times. Finally God was
pleased to have it return, as if by a miracle; and as
such was it considered by all the inhabitants of
Manila. The other vessel, being a new and larger
ship, on perceiving the storm, went to a lower latitude. It continued to plow the sea, to the great discomfort of all, for it was six months on the voyage.
The father master, Fray Pedro, died on that voyage,
with 'so excellent an example that there was no one
aboard the ship who was not edified. Father Cabrera
also died with great piety, and like a devoted religious, as he was. The brother lived. Even the
chaplain aboard the ship died. In all the dead numbered ninety-nine persons, who could have peopled
a world. Those who arrived were in such condition
that it was necessary to let them regain their strength
in the port of Valdebanderas. The procurators on
both sides had this lot, which was plainly that which
occurred to all. But against the will of God there
is no one who can go; what is important is, that His
will be always done.
Archbishop Don Fray Miguel Garcia saw that the
time was approaching for the provincial chapter.
He hastened and left Manila to visit and confirm
those of his jurisdiction. It is certain that, had Ours