departure. They sent their unanimous decision with Pedro Sarmiento,
by means of the vessel in which the above-mentioned two soldiers
had come thither--inasmuch as, being small and furnished with oars,
it could, without so great danger, and sheltered by the land, reach
Pangasinan more easily--in order that he might, in the name of all,
give their compliments to the master-of-camp and take leave of him,
and of their other friends. He was commissioned to request these not
to forget in their prayers to commend them to God, and to ask that He
would protect and aid them, that they might attain the consummation
so greatly desired by all. He was enjoined to bring back with him the
interpreter whom they were to take with them, namely, a Chinese lad,
baptized in Manila and named Hernando, who was thoroughly acquainted
with the Spanish language. Pedro Sarmiento arrived at Pangasinan and
carried out his orders to the letter. But the master-of-camp was
dissatisfied with this, as well as the captains and soldiers with
him, by whom the fathers and soldiers were greatly and deservedly
loved. These determined to send a summons to the fathers, asking
the latter to come to see them, since they were so near. When the
fathers heard this message, they were not without the suspicion above
mentioned. But inasmuch as they could not refuse to obey his order
and civil request, they left Buliano under a favoring wind--for the
storm had abated by this time, leaving the sea somewhat rough--and
arrived on the same day at Pangasinan, where they were received with
the utmost rejoicing by the master-of-camp and the others. Their
suspicion proved to be quite contrary to the others' thought; for the
master-of-camp not only did not detain them, but sent them on their
way with all haste, delivering to them immediately, according to
the governor's order, all the slaves--whom the soldiers to whom they
belonged surrendered willingly, when they understood the purport of
the order. He also gave them the interpreter for whom they asked, and