Finally, at the end of this struggle, they were wrecked on the coast of the kingdom of Ouantu, at the head of Japon, in almost its extreme east.  That coast extends from the kingdom to the district of Ximo, where the port of Nangasaqui is located.  Thence many vessels sail to Manila annually, which is farther west. [39]

Almost four hundred persons went ashore—­that is, all except some twenty-five or thirty, who were drowned in the course of the voyage.  After a time the sea washed ashore some pieces of gorgoran, [40] satin, and velvet.  Those who had gotten away with less clothing wrapped these about their bodies, while they made sandals from bits of silk, like those of leather worn by shepherds in Espana, because of the sharp rocks upon which they were walking barefoot.  They found two Japanese in some fields, and were greatly comforted thereby; for they imagined that land to be a desert islet without any food, upon which fortune had cast them to die.  However, they would have had not a little mercy from God if they had been able to die after confessing at leisure.  The Japanese guided them to a town near by, where they were given some rice for their support.  There most of them were kept carefully guarded for many days.  The chief Japanese continued to take charge of all the silk that could be saved, but did not give it up until an edict therefor was granted to the Spaniards by the king.  Consequently some of it was given to them; but the Japanese rebought it at what prices they wished, paying for it very impure silver.  Consequently the Spaniards were scarce able to get fifty thousand pesos in current Castilian money for it; although it is regarded as certain that if all that could have been saved had been delivered to the Spaniards, and they had sold it at a just price, they would have received five hundred thousand pesos beyond all doubt.  Although General Juan de Esguerra tried to negotiate with the king for the return of some forty boxes which were held by one of the Japanese lords, he failed to do so.  On the contrary, the counselors advised him to be content with what had been returned, unless he wished to keep nothing.  In short they are pagans, who believe in only the law of might, and do not keep faith and friendship more than they think advisable.  Governor Don Rodrigo de Bivero visited the king in his court at Suronga.  The king received him and treated him with great honor, and gave him one thousand taels as a concession.  Each tael is worth ten reals when made into money.  The general gave this money to the people to provide for their journey to Nangasaqui, whence many have come to this city [i.e., Manila].  Don Rodrigo de Bivero and Father Montes continued their voyage in the ship “Santa Ana,” which was in Bungo.  The Japanese came very near attacking it, but they say that they did not do so because such action was not expedient; for they had injured their trade with Macao, by attacking the galleon en route from that city to Japon with silk, until they had to burn it, with the loss of eight hundred thousand taels; and they would curtail their trade with this country and suffer great lack of silk.