_The Spaniards remaine certaine dayes in Canton,
whither came certaine Portugals from, Machao: at the
first they feared them, but afterwards they were
assured, by the contractation they had the one with
the other, that they were friendes: the vizroy of
Aucheo commeth to Canton, and dispatcheth the
Spaniards, and giueth them good prouision and
intertainment._
After that the ten daies were past appointed by the Aytao, and some
more, and seeing that no more mention was made them, but as though they
had neuer seene them, they were very sorowfull, and in ielousie that the
captaine general of Machao aforesaide had knowledge howe that his craft
and subtiltie was discouered, and thereupon to begin and frame some
other: procuring for an instrument in the performing of the same, some
iudge or some other person of power and authoritie. So they being with
this care and discontent, there came vnto the cittie of Canton foure
Portugals to buy and sell merchandice, with a safe conduct which they
had for the same, which was the occasion that their sorow and trouble
increased, suspecting what might happen conformable to the aduise which
they had from thence: but for that they did comon and visit them many
times, with intent to discouer their minds the one vnto the other, they
presently did forget the euill suspection that they had of them, and not
onely that, but they did giue them great almes and charitie, helping and
aiding them in all things, as it was meete and reason amongst
Christians. So being void of their first care, they put all their
diligence and care in their departure: and seeing that there was no
mention made thereof, by reason that the iudges were occupied in
mustering the souldiers of that circuit in a great and mightie field,
whereas they were trained vp in military exercises, some shooting in
bowes, some with hargabushes, tossing the pike, running of horses, and
many other exercises more: and after that they had many different
proofes, as well of thinges past as at that present, they ordained
captaines, such as were aduanced aboue all the rest, and most worthy:
all which being finished, the Spaniards determined to put the Aytao in
remembrance of his promise; and the better that they might doo it, and
with most breuitie, they ordained a petition, and went with the same
vnto the house of the Aytao, therewith to aske licence to put it in vre.
The first iudge they met withall was the Tequisi aforesaid, who made
signes that they should come vnto him, and asked of them what they would
haue. The father Costodio answered, nothing but onely to present that
petition vnto the Aytao, to put him in minde of their departure: the
Tequisi did take the petition, promising them to giue it vnto him
presently, the which he did accomplish in a short space. So being read
by the Aytao, he made answere by the same petition, that he had a
particular care of them, and tarried onely for order from the vizroy,
which could not tarrie long: the receiuing whereof hee woulde aduertise
them; the which hee did accomplish in fewe dayes, which came with great
content vnto the Spaniards, for that he commanded that they should be
sent away in verie good order, and to giue them all that was needfull
for their iourney, and that in aboundance. The same day that this
commission came, there came also newes that the vizroy would come vnto
the cittie of Canton, and that within few dayes hee would bee there: the
which did so much trouble the Aytao and the rest of the iudges, that day
and night they neuer rested, but were occupied in the preparing al
things necessary to receiue him, which were so many and with so great
maiestie as though the king in person should come thither: with great
and mighty triumphall arkes, rich hangings, with other things, the which
I do not here make mention of, although they were very curious, because
I would not be tedious, for that I haue a great desire to conclude this
little historie: and if I should declare all that passed therin, it were
requisite for the same alone to make a great volume.
Foure dayes after the comming of the vizroy, by his order there was
giuen both to the one and to the other a prouision, in the which he
commanded all iudges and gouernors to receiue the Spaniards into their
iurisdictions whereas they should passe, and not to permit any to do
them harme or iniury, but to giue them free passage with securitie till
such time as they should come to the place appointed in the said
prouision, which was vnto Machao and vnto Luzon: and iointly therewith
he commanded two captaines to beare them company til such time as they
had brought them out of all danger. And to giue vnto them that went vnto
Machao (which was three daies iourney) sufficient prouision requisite
for fiue dayes: and to them that went to Luzon their prouision for forty
dayes, although the voyage is to be made in fifteene dayes, and in
twentie dayes at the most. He also commanded them that had the charge to
carry them, that they shoulde haue a special care vnto their healthes,
in trauelling not too fast, but little and little. Likewise the Aytao
gaue order vnto the interpreters for to sell the frigat, in the which
the fathers came thither, and to giue vnto them the price that shoulde
bee made thereof, to bestow it at their pleasure: the which they did,
but kept still the halfe of that which they solde it for: and with many
other things more, which by the commandement of the vizroy was giuen
them for their iourney, and thought it well bestowed on them, for to see
themselues free of their lyings and crafts. At the departure of the
father Costodio, one of the souldiers mind was altred, who was called
Pedro de Villa Roel, and was very desirous to go with him vnto Machao,
the which hee did accomplish by apparelling himself in the habite of a
Portugal, because he had no licence to go otherwise. So all things being
in a redinesse for their iourney, they tooke their leaue the one of the
other, in shedding many teares with the griefe of minde.
The father Costodio and his companions came safely and in health to
Machao in foure dayes, as himselfe did afterwards write thereof, and
were very well receiued of the bishop, and of all the rest: and within
fewe dayes after they gaue them a place for to build a monasterie,
wherein he and his companion might liue, and all such as should take the
habite of that order. They came thither the fifteenth of Nouember.
And those which went vnto Luzon departed out of the cittie of Canton in
a great barke, of the which there are many in all that kingdome, very
well tilted and dressed, with many roomes and galeries and painted
windowes, as hath beene told you: in the which they were very much made
of by the patron of the said barke and of the passengers, which were
many, and went vnto diuers partes with merchandice: some thinges that
they saw by the way till they came vnto Chincheo, shal be told you in
the chapter following.