secure. [If he should do so] it would be a great impediment to all the islands, and a very great nuisance, both for the despatch of the merchandise—­which is the vineyards and olive-orchards of these regions—­and for the easy preparation of some boats with which to drive the Dutch out of these regions.  While the people remained in this dread, the news was confirmed by another message, that came on November 3 from the town of Arevalo, eighty leguas from Manila.  By this news it was learned that three Dutch ships and one patache were near that island of Oton, [22] where they had seized some boats full of provisions, that were intended for the relief of Maluco; and that they were making for the port of Yloilo.  A large amount of provisions was gathered in that place; and although the Dutch did not attack it, all was lost.  For our Spaniards, in order not to let it fall into the hands of the enemy, broke the jars of wine, and set fire to the rice.  As soon as the governor received this news, he sent the sargento-mayor of troops here, Cristobal de Azcueta Menchaca (master-of-camp elect of Terrenate), to Oton, in order that he might attend to what seemed necessary for the defense of that region, with the men under his command and those who were there.  Among the boats accompanying him was a champan, a Chinese craft; it contained a considerable number of soldiers.  They encountered the Dutch vessels, which were approaching this city.  In the endeavor to defend themselves, if the enemy, who had perceived them, should try to attack them the Spaniards began to take the cargo of the champan ashore by means of lanchas, and with it to fortify themselves for their protection in a sort of bastion.  Among the other things, they took some barrels of powder ashore; while in others, which were left aboard, fire was carelessly set, with very great injury to those who were near it.  Many were burned, but at the time only two or three died there.  The rest threw themselves into the water and gained the shore.  One man only was left in the champan which was burning; for he had been jammed among the beams.  Although he cried out loudly for aid, he could not be helped, and was accordingly burned to ashes.  Those who escaped alive began to march overland toward this city, some leguas distant from the place where the misfortune occurred.  On the way, some persons died, and the others arrived in such condition that all who saw them bemoaned their sad lot.  Scarce did they seem men, but swollen cinders, full of maggots.  Some even had maggots in the very palms of their hands.  They were treated with much care in the hospital here.  Most of them recovered; but six or seven of them died in the hospital.  The Dutch did not try to harm them, which was a great mercy of God, because of the facts above stated.  On the contrary, the Dutch continued their route until they reached the mouth of this bay, in sight of Manila.