the report spread abroad by the said pirate. Thus the Spaniards' old
security would remain, and they would be held in greater estimation
by the natives near them, who knew them; and would even attain the
friendship of the king of China, against whom Limahon was a traitor,
and whom he had offended. This resolve they set about executing
immediately, as such an undertaking required. Meanwhile they heard,
as certain, that the pirate was stationed on the Pangasinan River,
where he had made a strong settlement. Upon obtaining this news--which
was most agreeable to the Spaniards--the governor summoned all the
people dwelling thereabout, ordering them to come to the city where
he resided. At this same time, he sent word to all the encomenderos
or seigniors of the villages of those islands called Pintados,
ordering them to assemble at the same place with as many ships and
men as possible, both Spaniards and natives. All this was done and
completed quickly and gladly; and the natives, especially those of
the said Pintados Islands, came willingly. All these, together with
the other people who lived in the city, set out under command of
Captain Juan de Salzedo, whom the governor, in his Majesty's name,
had appointed to the office of master-of-camp (rendered vacant,
as has been related above, by the death of Martin de Goyti at the
first assault of the city of Manila). The governor remained behind
with only a force sufficient to guard the city and the fort, which
had been built again, and the well. The master-of-camp took in his
detachment two hundred and fifty soldiers and five hundred friendly
Indians, all unanimous in their intention to avenge the mischief that
they had suffered, or to die in the attempt.

This entire force embarked in small boats, and in two fragatas brought
from nearby islands, as no time had been given, in the haste necessary
for this expedition, to wait until larger ships could be found. And,