he expected, for those people, little accustomed to similar reports, immediately abandoned the shore and sea, fleeing more quickly than they had gathered.  Thus our men landed without any opposition.  The Indians are much more nimble than the Spaniards, and it is very easy for them to run through their land, while it is difficult for us.  Our men were unable to enter and obviate the danger, for, when the firearms were discharged, they set fire to some houses.  These were burnt, inasmuch as their material is very inflammable, and with them much food, which, in short, was the greatest loss, for there was great need of it.  Without doubt all the village would have been burned had not the wind been contrary, and for the time being favored the other houses, so that they were not burned.

[The eighth chapter of Medina’s narrative relates the finding of the image of the child Jesus, which had been left in the island by a member of the Magallanes expedition.  Our author exults over this find, which he extols as miraculous, and asserts to be the “greatest relic ... of the islands.”]

Chapter IX

Of the subjection of the Indians of Sugbu to the king of Espana

After the above acts, it appears that affairs began to brighten; for those Indians, after witnessing the kind treatment extended to them, and seeing that the Spaniards were more affable than they appeared on the outside, promised very fair reciprocity.  The commander endeavored to ascertain their reason for refusing to the Spaniards provisions and entrance into their land, so decidedly contrary to the laws of hospitality.  They answered that they were afraid that the Spaniards’ object was to call them to strict account for the death of Magallanes and his men, and that they had come for no other purpose.  They thought that his mildness toward them was only for the purpose of quieting them so that he could later take sharp revenge more easily.  The commander believed that they spoke the truth in their reply, and promised to do them no injury whatever for that crime; for on the one hand that affair was already forgotten, and, on the other, the Spaniards’ intention was to establish and maintain among them friendly intercourse.  Hence, the first step and measure was not to be vengeance, whereby, necessarily, the natives would be exasperated.  Moreover the commander told them to bring their chief to him at all hazards, for he wanted to conclude matters at once, and sign the peace.  Thereupon, the Indians went, but did not heed the request at all; for, as I have remarked before, this race is generally faithless and obstinate.  On the contrary, the Indians endeavored to do all the harm possible to the Spaniards, killing them when they found them alone, and attacking them in their usual rushes, and with outcry and uproar—­their peculiar action in war or attack.  When the commander saw that his hopes were in vain, and that those barbarians