even had they waited, they would have found but a poor supply of
vessels; for the inhabitants of this region, as soon as they saw the
city attacked by the pirate, had risen against the Spaniards--believing
that the latter could not escape so great a force, although from the
Spaniards' first entrance into the said islands, they had been very
submissive--and burned a small galley anchored at Manila, together
with two other large vessels.

The master-of-camp, with the force above mentioned, left Manila on
the twenty-third of March, in the year one thousand five hundred
and seventy-five, and arrived at the mouth of the Pangasinan River
at dawn on Holy Wednesday following, without being espied by anyone;
for, as was important, they observed great care. The master-of-camp
disembarked his entire force immediately, together with four pieces
of artillery, leaving the mouth of the river blockaded with all his
vessels, some of which he had ordered to extend themselves so that no
one might enter or go out, or warn the pirate of their arrival. He
ordered others of the vessels to reconnoiter the enemy's fleet and
his fortifications. He charged them especially to endeavor not to be
seen, for this was essential to the success of the undertaking. The
captains did as they were ordered, finding the pirate as free from
anxiety of any danger there, as the city of Manila had been at his
attack. This security resulted from his having heard that, although
they were discussing in China the question of attacking him, this
could not be done soon, for they could not know or be perfectly sure
of his whereabouts; and from his certain knowledge that the Spaniards
of the Felipinas had no vessels, for, as we have said above, they had
been burned, and they had received so much damage that they would
endeavor rather to recover from their past ill-treatment, than to
avenge injuries. The master-of-camp having ascertained thoroughly this