86 THE PIvANT WORIvD 



' The quickness and facility in learning were aided much by the 

 emulation which the natives of one village had with those of another, as 

 to which knew best the doctrine, challenging each other to those holy 

 contests at which the padres assisted as judges. When one village goes 

 to another in response to a challenge, the padre of the residence arranges 

 a solemn procession. The banner of the doctrine goes in front, the 

 boys following on one side and the girls on the other ; and after them 

 the men and the women in the same order. The boys and girls wear 

 wreaths of flowers or leaves on their heads, and palms in their hands, 

 and white garments, which are the prizes given by the padres to those 

 who learn the best. On the road they sing prayers and sacred songs 

 with such modesty and composure that it seems a procession of angels. 

 On arriving at the other village the padre of that residence comes forth 

 to meet them with a like procession. Afterwards in a public and roomy 

 place they have their contest of prayers and mj^steries, and when this is 

 finished they receive their prizes, engaging in decent sports, and return- 

 ing well pleased to their village, wishing for another day of contest so 

 that those who have not won distinction this time may seek satisfaction 

 later. Of these and other holy devices the ministers of the gospel avail 

 themselves so as to facilitate the instruction of these poor islanders. 



" The missionaries wishing that this education should spread over the 

 whole island, the Sargento-mayor [Don Damian de Esplana] tried to per- 

 suade the hostile villages to peace, particularly the village of Tumhun, 

 where they had martyrized the venerable Padre Sanvitores ; for many vil- 

 lages would follow the example of this one for good, as they had before 

 followed it for evil. It was apparent, according to the maxims of the 

 venerable Padre Sanvitores, that all pious means should be attempted 

 before using force, and that they should avail themselves of persuasion 

 before arms, though they say the danger which always exists is that these 

 barbarians mistake piety for cowardice. Thus it now happened that they 

 paid no attention to the proposal of the Sargento, who marched upon the 

 village of Tumhun and entered it on the 14th of November. He found 

 it vacant, for the Indians had retired. He attacked a boat, followed it a 

 good distance, entering the sea with his horse, which swam until he 

 reached it, and lifting a half moon which he carried in his hand he slew 

 the man who was steering, the same who several years before had put to 

 cruel death Damian Bernal. Others who tried to escape by jumping into 

 the water he made prisoners, and he ordered the dead Indian to be quar- 

 tered and placed between two poles as a warning to the rest ; and having 

 set fire to the whole village he returned to the presidio. 



After such good success he determined to pass to the northern 

 islands of the group in order to punish .some delinquents who were there 

 and to smooth the way for the Evangelical Ministers ; but when he was 

 about to leave he received news that the Indians of the forest allied with 

 those of Chuchugu and their confederates had determined to kill all the 

 padres remaining on the island as soon as he had gone ; and these rumors 

 and panics grew with the death which they inflicted upon one of our 

 friendly Indians without other apparent cause than of his friendship for 

 us. The Sargento regretted it much, and on the 17th of December he 

 marched against the rebels of Chuchugu and Mapaz, which he considered 

 to be chiefly responsible for this death. He fell upon them suddenly and 



