Thereupon he left, notwithstanding the
severe weather. Father Fray Martin de San Nicolas, associate in that
priorate, accompanied him from here, in a suitable boat. At length,
by dint of rowing, they reached the island, and when in shelter of it,
they learned that the enemy had anchored near by, behind a point that
served them as a harbor. Then order was given to the caracoas to follow
and do their duty, and at daybreak sail was set, in order to take the
enemy before they could perceive him. I have no wish to cast blame upon
the commanders of the caracoas, for they were men of great courage
and punctilious honor. Hence, they did not remain behind purposely,
but because they could sail no faster, for all boats are not equal. To
conclude, when the enemy were sighted, Captain Lazaro de Torres found
himself alone with three caracoas--his own, that of Alferez Patino, and
that of Alferez Francisco de Mendoza, a creole from Sugbu. Our flagship
went straight toward the enemy. The others stationed themselves in
between, where they played havoc with the smaller craft.
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