of the huge bodies of those crocodiles.  They resemble lizards, but are furnished with scales so strong that scarce can an arquebus-shot dent them.  The only vulnerable spots are the throat and under parts of the legs [i.e., where they join the body], where nature has given them a certain sweet odor, which the Indians use.  Besides cattle, all the animals of Africa and more are found in those islands—­tigers, lions, bears, foxes, monkeys, apes, squirrels—­and in some of them are many civet-cats.  These last are wont to be hunted extensively, in order to take them to different nations with the other merchandise of China—­linens, silks, earthenware, iron, copper, steel, quicksilver, and innumerable other things, which are transported annually from those provinces.  Religion and government are the same as those of Espana; but in those islands that are still unsubdued, foolish idolatry prevails.  They attribute immortality to their souls, but they believe that souls wander from one body to another, according to that ridiculous [doctrine of] transmigration invented or declared by Pythagoras.  Trading is much in vogue, and is advanced by the Chinese commerce.  The Filipinos are more courageous than their other neighbors.  The Spaniards and creoles do not belie their high origin.

By order of King Filipo an army was formed from all this people, in order to attempt to take the forts of Maluco.  Don Goncalo Ronquillo de Penalosa was governor.  Although he had received beforehand certain information by way of trade and the spies that had gone there, he was not satisfied with them, and sent another soldier to Maluco.  The latter changed his clothes, and then with that and his aspect, which was not unlike that of the natives, and their language, which he spoke fluently, went to Tydore.  He found our men very desirous of the enterprise, and the king of that island ready to push it with his forces.  He went to Ternate with the merchants, and saw the fortresses and the reefs about the ports; and sounded their friendship with the English.  He found that the latter landed and traded securely—­or rather, as if by right.  Nor was the multitude of secret Christians unknown to him, who would take up arms in due season; nor any of the other things, that, as an experienced spy, it was necessary for him to report.  Thereupon Ronquillo prepared about three hundred Spaniards and more than one thousand five hundred Filipinos, with ammunition, food, and sailors.  With three large vessels and a considerable number of smaller ones, he set sail toward Maluco at the proper season.  Pedro Sarmiento was general, an energetic and experienced man, who still lives in Manila.  He set out courageously and energetically, in order to destroy any of the enemies then sailing those seas.  Several days previous his Majesty had appointed Pablo de Lima to the charge of Ternate, if it were gained; and had allowed his brother, Francisco de Lima, the concession of two voyages to Maluco, in