by a crocodile—­a fierce animal of these regions, which is very fond of human flesh—­and that before they could render him any assistance, spiritual or temporal.  This event was indeed the occasion of no little wonder, for this beast is very voracious, and swallows men whole, or piece by piece, or at least tears off hand or foot; but this man he left whole and untorn, which the Indians attribute to the virtue of the Salve that they sang and the discipline that they performed.

Residence of Zebu

This residence is in the province called Pintados, in which the greater part of Ours have lived and are working for the salvation of the Indians, although ordinarily not more than three priests and four brothers labor there.  The situation is extremely convenient, because all the other residences carry on their work from it as a center.  The ministry of the Society is exercised with great profit to the city.  A boys’ school has been opened, and the Latin language is taught.  Last year the most reverend bishop, the officials, and other leading men, in letters sent to his Catholic Majesty, made a full statement of the great spiritual harvest with which Ours in these regions exercise their ministry, among both Spaniards and Indians; and they also earnestly entreated that he would be pleased to render that residence permanent by some annual provision, in order that they might be able to continue to enjoy the labors of our fathers.

The excellent bishop walked on foot, although a man sixty years old, throughout the whole of his diocese; [37] and, turning aside into our houses, he there dwelt with us in such humility and familiarity that he seemed to be one of our members.  After he had finished the visitation of the diocese, he was accustomed to say that he had greatly admired the modesty and piety of the women in it; for in gossip and conversation their reputation had long been very much to the contrary.  He added that he had seen nothing like it in all Nueva Espana.  Turning to our fathers, he declared that they ought to be contented with their lot, because they had undertaken the duty of disseminating the word of God in those regions; for in his opinion they were spending their lives in a part of the world which was the best of all, and the best beloved by God, and that from which they would be able to obtain the most ample fruit for their labor.

In our churches we began this year the practice of the discipline, with a great number of penitents and great devotion from the people.  We also delivered sermons, with the Christian catechism, to the garrison, with extraordinary results.

A certain father added that a sick Indian had lost the faculty of speech before he had confessed, so that he could not receive an exhortation to a pious death.  Accordingly, he urged him to attempt at least to pronounce the name of Jesus.  The sick man obeyed, and uttered it obscurely so that he could scarcely be heard.  The father continued to urge him to speak more distinctly.  Finally with a moderate effort he uttered it with the greatest distinctness, made a complete confession, and on the following day left his bed well.