QUIROS 159 



his people contented and firm in their love, truthfulness 

 and loyalty, remembering how worthy of esteem that 

 captain is who, without the use of knife or other rigour, 

 governs his people in peace." He is " to see that men 

 do not curse nor blaspheme, nor say or do other things evil 

 against God our Lord, nor against the most Holy Mother, 

 nor against angels, saints, or things sacred or divine." 

 A blasphemer is to be punished by forfeit of his day's 

 ration ; and, for the second offence, he may be put in irons 

 and fined for the benefit of the souls in Purgatory. Every 

 day in the afternoon all the people are to go on - their 

 knees before an altar where are images of Christ and of 

 the Virgin Mary ; and the Litany of Our Lady of Loretto 

 is to be recited, " praying for her favour or intercession, 

 that God our Lord may guide us and show us the lands 

 and people we seek, and help us in all that undertaking 

 on which we are employed, and grant us that success 

 which will be to His honour and glory, and for the good 

 of so many of His creatures." If any playing-cards or 

 dice are found (except for the playing of backgammon) 

 they are to be thrown overboard. When, at a later date, 

 Quiros was asked to allow " a little play," on condition 

 that the winnings were given for the souls in Purgatory, 

 he " said to them many times that they would not risk 

 to go on with such new and good work if there was playing 

 and swearing. As for the alms offered from the result 

 of betting, he would not want to take a soul out of Purgatory, 

 and set it on the road to Heaven, if it left his and the souls 

 of others in Hell-; and it would be much better to give 

 without playing that which would be given by playing. 

 For passing the time there are very good books, and one 

 who would teach to read, write, and count to those who 

 do not know how ; also a master-at-arms, black swords 

 (wooden drill-swords), practised soldiers to teach recruits, 

 and one who would teach them the art of fortification 

 and artillery, the spheres and navigation ; and that these 

 pursuits were better than to play for money." 



The plan was to strike South- West for the continent, 

 as had been advised by Sarmiento in 1567. They were 



