_They that were determined to go vnto Luzon, doo
departe for the cittie of Chincheo: in which voyage
they see many riuers and townes: and other particular
things._
The Spaniards depart out of the riuer of Canton, and after they had
sailed by sea the space of three leagues, they entred into another
mighty riuer, in the which they trauelled four daies. And sure the great
number of citties and townes that they saw alongst the riuers side is
incredible, and so nigh the one vnto the other, that they seemed to be
al one: so in the end of foure dayes they landed at one of the cities,
where came so much people to see those strangers, that it seemed al the
kingdome were there assembled together, and were so many in number, that
before they could get to the inne wheras they should be lodged, there
passed more then foure houres, and was in distance but a quarter of a
league: but when they came thither, they were verie faint with the great
thrust and throng of the people. They stayed in this cittie one day, and
the next day, very early in the morning, was brought vnto them horse,
for to trauel by land other two daies, the which was almost continually
in villages and townes; and the third day they were imbarked in a smal
barke, wherein they passed a riuer which had but litle water, the space
of two houres; then after they were shipped in a bigger barke, and
entred into another riuer, which seemed to be an arme of the sea, in the
which they sailed fiue dayes, and sawe sailing vp and downe the said
riuer so many barks and boats, that it made them to be greatly amased.
These riuers were as wel replenished of cities and townes, as the other
riuer whereof we haue spoken. Al which is a helpe to beleeue that which
hath been said of the mightinesse and the great number of people that
are in that mighty kingdom. Concluding this riuer they entred into
another, but not so broade as the last, but a swifter current, and beset
with mightie trees both on the one side and the other, and were so thick
that almost they could not see the sunne thorough them: and although the
country was very asper there alongst the riuers side, yet was there many
walled citties, and an infinite number of townes and vilages, in such
sort that the suburbs did almost ioyne the one vnto the other. So when
they were disembarked out of this riuer, they trauelled by land other
foure dayes, and greatly maruelled to see the great fertilitie of the
country, and many other things more, which they do passe ouer, for that
in the relation of the Augustine friers it hath beene declared vnto you.
In the ende of those foure daies they came to a cittie ten leagues from
Chincheo, and were lodged in the suburbs of the same, whether resorted
so much people to see them, that although they did shut the gates to
defend themselues from the prease, yet could they not be disturbed of
the entry, for that they broke the gates, and climed vp the wals and
windowes to see them. The host of the house whereas they were lodged,
when he saw that the people did spoile and destroy his house, he
requested the Spaniards to go forth into a greene fielde which was there
harde by, placed amongst a company of orchards, the which they did to
satisfie them, and also to satisfie the multitude of people that were
come thither only to see them. The noise of the people was so great,
that the gouernor feared there had bin some other matter, and commanded
a iudge to go and examine the cause and know the truth: but when that
hee was certified thereof, hee commaunded the Spaniards to come vnto his
house, for that hee was desirous and would see them. They presently did
accomplish his commandement, and went their way, and as they passed
thorough the streete, there were certaine representing a comedie, but so
soone as the people that were there did see the Spaniardes, they left
the players all alone and followed them. They entred into the gouernors
house, and found him with great maiestie of seruants and souldiers of
his gard: he entertayned them with great loue, and asked them who they
were, and from whence they came. The interpreter presently showed the
prouision they brought from the viceroy, which was, in summe, their
licence giuen by him for them to go vnto Chincheo, and that none should
disturbe them in their iourney, but to ayde and giue them all fauour
possible, and that which was needefull for their iourney. And when that
he had read the same, he saide that thereby he did vnderstand that which
he desired to know, and how that the viceroy did command all gouernors,
and him as one of them, they should offer to do all that lay in them:
the which he did accomplish, and shewed them great fauour and
friendship.
The next day following, they departed out of this citie by land, being
giuen vnto them by the gouernor very good prouision for the way. The
same day they came vnto a towne that was very fresh, and fiue leagues
from the place they departed, they were determined to tarrie all that
night, fearing the passage through a citie which was but a league
before, suspecting that they should be as much troubled with the people
as they were in the other citie the day before. And although this was
but a small towne, yet was there so great a concourse of people that
came from the villages there abouts, that it caused them to depart the
next morning more early than they thought, and all the night they could
not sleepe, because of the great noyse of the people.
So within a while after they departed from that towne, they came vnto
the citie aforesaide, the which for situation and gallant buildings, was
the fairest in all that province. Through the midst thereof ranne a
mightie riuer, ouer the which were many bridges very great and most
faire. Here were they so oppressed with much people that came to see
them, that they were detayned in the presse a good while before they
could enter into the citie: and after they were within they were
compassed about in such sort, that they could not goe to seeke to eate,
but were constrained to enter into a barke and go downe the riuer and
shroud themselues amongst a company of trees, and although they did vse
this policie, yet the number of people were so great that leapt into the
same barke that they were readie to sinke, till such time as they who
had entred the barke, to auoid that perill, returned and lept a shoore,
leauing them all alone with the barkemen and marriners that did rowe,
who went to seeke and bring them to eate, and they remained in the barke
all that night.
So the next day in the morning, before the people could come to disturbe
them, they rowed towards the great and huge citie of Chincheo, and
entred into the same vppon a Sunday, in the morning, being the sixt day
of December.
They remained still in the barke for their owne quietnesse and security,
and sent their interpreter with their prouision vnto the Gouernour, that
he might ordaine at his pleasure that which was therein commanded. The
Gouernour when he had receiued commission he said vnto the interpreter
that he should tell the Spaniards that he was very glad that they were
come thither in safetie and in good health, and that hee should receiue
great ioy to see them, and to shew them the courtesie that was commanded
him by the viceroy, in their prouision or commission. But by reason that
the great number of people that would come to see them, should not be
troublesome vnto them, he would passe ouer his content in seeing them,
and for their better comoditie they shall depart in the same barke
wherein they came, vnto the port of Aytim, whereat were certain ships
that were bound vnto Luzon, and that he would command they should be
receiued into the said ships, and to be carried with as much speede as
was possible: and for the accomplishing of the same hee kept the
commission of the viceroy, and gave an other commission vnto the
gouernor of the port, whether as hee sent them, in the which he
commanded to be accomplished all that he had promised.
The Spaniards, although they would very gladly have seene the citie of
Chincheo and the mightinesse thereof, yet did they accomplish that which
the gouernor did command without anie reply, for that they considered
that it should come then better to passe. So they came vnto the said
port the next day folowing in the morning, whereas they did remaine in
the barke, doing as they did at Chincheo, and sent their interpreter
with the commission vnto the gouernor, who presently after he had read
the same, sent and commanded that the Spaniards should come a shore and
come and see him: who did accomplish the same, although with no lesse
trouble than in other places, by reason of the people that came to see
them. The gouernor intertained them with great loue and faire words, and
before they departed from him, he sent to call a captaine of one of the
ships that was there bound unto Luzon, and asked of him when he would
depart from that place, who answered within ten daies: then the gouernor
commanded that he should carrie them in his ship, and to giue them the
best intertainement that was possible, who promised him to accomplish
the same, and therwith he tooke his leaue of them, and sent them with
the said captaine, who offered them all the fauour and friendship that
was requisite. He presently carried them vnto his ship, who after he had
shewed them the whole commoditie therof, he made them a colation or
banket with great friendship.
They remained in this port more than fifteene daies, wheras they
suffered very much colde, and seeing that the ship wherein they were
appointed to go was not redie, neither any order for them to depart in
many daies, considering the great desire they had to be amongst their
own nation and to take their ease, and hauing knowledge of another ship
that was ready and would depart, they altogither went vnto the gouernor
(who was set in audience), and said vnto him with a loud voice (as is
vsed in al that countrie), that the captaine whom he had commanded to
carrie them vnto Luzon, was not readie to depart, neither any signe that
he would in many daies, and that he would giue them licence, and command
a captaine of an other ship that was there readie to depart, and went
vnto the same Iland of Luzon, that he might carrie them, because they
were so ill at ease, and suffered so much colde that they felt great
griefe.
When the gouernor heard this he was very angry, and with great choler he
commaunded one of his officers that was there with him, to go presently
and bring before him that captaine vnto whom he had committed the
carriage of the Spaniards: the which was accomplished, and that in so
short time that it caused great wonder: who when he came before the
gouernor had so great feare, that he knew not whether he was in heaven
or in earth. The gouernor straightwaies asked him what was the occasion
that he did not depart within the tenne daies as he had sayde? The
captaine answered, that they had had no wether, neither at that present,
wherewith they might nauigate. He asked him againe and saide, seeing
that the weather and time would not serue, how is it that there is an
other ship readie to depart. The captaine at this demand did faulter in
his speech, and answered friuolous wordes, wherefore the gouernor
commanded that he should be whipped in his presence for the lie which he
had tolde; and as they were pulling off his appareil for to execute the
commandement, the Spaniards hauing pitie and compassion of him, for that
he seemed to be an honest man, they fell all vpon their knees at the
gouernors feete, and requested him to pardon his offence, who did
presently consent therunto with a good will, and commanded to let him
alone; but he spake vnto him very sharpe wordes, such as, so farre
foorth as the Spaniardes could perceiue by the semblance both of the one
and of the other, that was as much griefe vnto him as though he had
beene whipped. Then presently he commanded to call the captaine of that
ship that was readie to depart, and deliuered vnto him the commission
that he had giuen vnto the other, with a great penaltie, and charged him
to carrie the Spaniards vnto the Ilande of Luzon, and charged him to
bring a testimoniall from thence, how that he had carried them in very
good order and saftie, and left them at the place that they desired.
This captaine vnderstanding what had passed with the other, and because
he would not see himselfe in the like perplexitie, did accept the
commandement, and thought the time long of his departure from thence,
and did promise them more than they did demand, and made hast to depart
out of the hauen because hee would not be called backe againe.