on a rock ... in the sea, with an entrance on only one side; this was strongly fortified with two defenses, and its summit was enclosed by very large and numerous trees.  The approach was from the water side.  The houses within were raised up high on posts, and the sea quite surrounded the rock.”  The people refusing to give provisions, “we fought with them, the combat lasting four hours.  Finally we carried the place, and as they would not surrender, they were all killed, with the exception of some women and children.”  One Spaniard was killed and a number wounded; and, after all but little food was found.  On his return to Sarrangan, Villalobos despatched his smallest ship to New Spain to solicit aid, on August 4, 1543.  Another vessel started on the same day to “some islands ... which we call Felipinas, after our fortunate prince, which were said to be well supplied with provisions,” for the purpose of securing food.  Three days after this the troubles with the Portuguese began, with the arrival of the deputy sent by Jorge de Castro.  Meanwhile the numbers of the Spaniards and the Indian slaves brought from New Spain were being decimated through the famine they experienced.  Expeditions were sent out to gather food, but resulted disastrously.  The Portuguese intrigued with the natives not to sell provisions to the Castilians, and to do them all the harm possible.  On the arrival of the ship sent to the Philippines for food, it was determined “to go to the Felipinas, to a province called Buio,” [32] a salubrious land, “and abounding in food.”  Further misfortunes met them through stormy weather and the hostility of the natives, who treacherously killed eleven of the Spaniards in one vessel sent ahead to procure provisions.  Further trouble with the Portuguese followed at the island of Gilolo, the king of which was hostile to the Portuguese.  In these straits, Villalobos determined to appeal to the king of Tidore for aid and supplies, as he was formerly friendly to the Spanish; but his hopes were disappointed.  Then he sent to Terrenate, at the instance of the king of Gilolo, to demand from the Portuguese the Castilian artillery in that island. [33] Finally treaties were made between the two kings and the Castilians.  Alvarado was sent (May 28, 1544) to the Philippines to conduct back certain of the boats that had been sent thither when the expedition left the island of Sarrangan.  At Mindanao, he was told of three provinces; “the first is Mindanao, and it has gold mines, and cinnamon; the second is Butuan, which has the richest mines of the whole island; and the third Bisaya, [34] likewise possessing gold mines and cinnamon.  Throughout this island are found gold mines, ginger, wax, and honey.”  At the bay of Resurrection on this island he found a letter left previously by Villalobos and two others,—­one by Fray Geronimo de Santisteban dated in April, saying that he with eight or ten men was going in search of the general in one of the small vessels; that fifteen