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Instantly, he ordered a boat,
loaded it with bread and cheese, and went to Otong. In the nine days'
interval until the Dutch arrived, he built a redoubt of wood and
fascines, where he awaited the enemy, who arrived September 29. Don
Diego had but few men, although a company from Ternate was there, who
happened to come there in a wrecked fragata. They were of no little
service. His artillery consisted of small pieces which shot a ball no
larger than a very small orange. He had about one hundred men. Lazaro
de Torres was their captain, a man of great courage, and than whom no
one, in such opportunities, has been more fortunate. His alferez was
Don Pedro Zara, a very courageous soldier. In short, they fought so
that it appeared rather rashness than bravery. Two of our religious
were there, father Fray Jeronimo de Alvarado and Fray Juan de Morales,
besides the parish priest of the town, Bartolome Martes. They confessed
the troops, and encouraged them. The balls rained down, and thus they
penetrated throughout the fort, as if it had been paper.


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