from their shoulders a porcelain case in which it is said they carry
their chapas which indicate that they are mandarins, which is the same
that we here call "decrees" and "royal commissions." Behind them goes
another Sangley on a horse, who is said to be the secretary of the
three mandarins. Before them go in file six Sangleys with staves upon
their shoulders, on the ends of which are white tablets with characters
of gold, which is said to be the insignia of alguacils. Six other
Sangleys carry little banners of different colors, with characters
written upon them in the Chinese tongue, which are said to indicate
the great authority and wide jurisdiction of the said mandarins. One
Sangley, who they say is a minister of justice, bears a piece of cane
as thick as one's arm, lacquered in black. Among these goes a Sangley
with two small kettle-drums and four others with canfonias and other
musical instruments which they use, all of them playing. Before all
these people go six Sangleys, two of whom carry two iron chains, which
are said to be to put on those whom they are ordered to arrest; two
others carry two cords tied to sticks upon their shoulders, which are
said to be to tie those whom they are ordered to flog; the other two,
who are called _upos_, which is the same as executioners in España,
bear two half-canes four dedos wide and a braza long, with which
they flog the delinquents, whom if they wished they could kill with
a few strokes. Between these go two Sangleys each one of whom cries
out in his own language from time to time, with loud shouts; and it
is said that they are calling out, "Make way, for the mandarins are
coming," and as soon as they come out of their houses, and until they
enter them again, these cries are kept up. When the Sangleys meet the
mandarins, they flee from them and hide themselves; and if they cannot
do this they bend their backs very low with their arms extended upon
the ground, and remain in this position while the mandarins pass,
which is quite in the form and manner which is customary in the said