not abate one point of their observance, fulfilling their religious obligations as if they were in the most retired house of those which they had left behind in their province, notwithstanding that they were going in the midst of the traffic and excitement that seem to be inevitable in sea-voyages, and more so in so long ones as are those of the Indias.  They did not discontinue the two hours’ mental prayer or the choral divine office, at their proper times, and the silence, fastings, and discipline.  If they were given any moment from those holy exercises, they employed it in preaching, and in caring for the sick.  They cared for and served the latter with what they needed, and as well as they could.  They did not content themselves only in their own ship, for when good weather and the quiet of the sea permitted, they went in the small boat or lancha to the others, in order to console and confess those in need of it.  They gave them wholesome counsels, and encouraged them to serve God our Lord as they ought.  By such course they succeeded in gaining great credit and esteem.  The commander himself always approached them with his flagship to salute them, and to ask after their health, and whether they needed anything, while he commended himself very earnestly to their petitions and prayers.  He visited them in the island of Guadalupe with the great following of his men, charging to them the prosperous outcome of the fleet.  Finally they reached the port of San Juan de Lua, September seventeen, with the rejoicing common to those who sail, and especially on those seas.  They disembarked and, after having rested for some little time, they took the road; this they moderated by stopping several days in La Puebla de los Angeles, [31] as guests of our calced fathers, where they received the friendly reception and love that that province has shown to the discalced very often because their beginning was in that form.

Since the strictness of that convent was then extreme, it lit up in great measure the devotion and modesty of ours, the will of all going well alongside the rare mildness of their customs.  The more serious inmates of the house did not fail to praise the humility, poverty, and circumspect behavior of our fathers; and consequently not a few of them were determined to follow their purpose and accompany them on that holy undertaking, and to enjoy so good examples.  They requested this from the father commissary, but he, being so exact in matters of attention and courtesy, excused himself prudently, in order not to anger the prelates of the province; and, besides, because he had no order from the king, nor any subsidy with which to pay the expenses of any more persons than he had brought from Espana, although he esteemed the desire that they showed to aid him.  He went immediately to Mexico, leaving the fathers of La Puebla very enamored and sad.  They were received in that magnificent city with kindness and extraordinary devotion by the