with a foundation, as that was important.  They accepted it with legal papers, and had much to do on that great and famous river.  They ascended its waters even to their source, which is the lake of Linao, about fifty leguas in circuit.  There they founded a settlement, in order to assure their labors. [68] They coasted the shore to little Cagayan, [69] on that excursion taking also into their charge the island of Camiguin.  Farther on they passed through the rancherias of Higan and Langaran up to the lake of Malanao.  But the opposition of the Jesuits stopped them; for the latter disputed their right to that spiritual progress, to such an extent that they produced controversies in the court.  His Catholic Majesty decided the question by the rights of his royal patronage.  He ordered the island of Mindanao to be surveyed, and distributed the administration of it between the two contending provinces, granting to that of the Recollects [the coast] from the point of Sulaban [70] to the cape of San Agustin, while the rest remained in charge of the Society.  Thereby were hostile rivalries pacified, which would have produced nothing good had they continued without so powerful arbitration.

Chapter IV

The Augustinian Recollects are charged with the administration and conquest of the province of Calamianes.  Geographical and natural description of that province.

1.  The extension of its spiritual progress to the province of Calamianes does much honor to the religious Recollect family.  It was not the effect of a rash temerity; it was a matter of slow and careful deliberation.  When once established and determined, resolution free from terrible doubts was necessary to undertake it.  “Not only is fear not a cause for surety,” said the emperor Leo [71] in his tactics, “but it is also most adverse for good strategies; since in difficult undertakings it is necessary to consult God, and, assured in one’s inmost beliefs, to attack without trepidation of spirit.  The best good of expeditions (especially military), if they are difficult, consists in discovering thoroughly the condition of the enemy, the number and quality of their troops, and their enterprise in military discipline.  With that keen knowledge, the captain prepares his assaults, and plans his sudden counter strategies.”  In the present conversion, maxims so prudent were very suitable—­in which, prepared by the spiritual food of faith, hope, and charity, they made manifest the mystery of the ineffable Trinity, and subdued the infidels to the sacrament of holy baptism.  It was a difficult thing, and one that exceeds human strength; but obeying God, attacks become spirited.  By His help one can soothe difficulties, explain intricate mysteries, and resolve everything easily.  After having consulted that superior oracle, accompanied solely by his armor-bearer, one can attack whole armies, rout them, and throw them into a general confusion and consternation; and it is the enemy’s own weapons that wound and disperse them.