The Dutch ships put to sea and never again
appeared. On news of this the excitement of the fleet ceased, although
there was no lack of opinion that it would be well to pursue the enemy,
because he was fleeing to China to plunder. Although all this was said
on good ground, others (and a majority) said that whether the enemy
were fleeing very opportunely or not, it was better for us to remain
quiet with such a fleet as we had; that our fleet would be increased
by the galleon expected from Macan, and by those which were being
built in these islands, all of which ships combined would be force
enough for next year; and besides this, the enemy had gained nothing,
but rather had lost, through the expenses which he had incurred in
maintaining a fleet so many months without recompense. This opinion
prevailed, whereupon the matter was dropped and the fleet became idle;
when, behold, mere goes forth a false report that the enemy is in
these islands plundering the ships that come from China. Everything
is again in commotion; the fleet again prepares itself, and goes out
in the morning; but the truth becomes known that there is no enemy,
and the fleet is quiet again. The basis of this false rumor was the
fact that the enemy went toward the coast of China to plunder, and
one day encountering a Chinese ship going to Japon, robbed it. The
Chinese vessel came to these islands to seek aid; and at once arises
the outcry that it must have been robbed in the Philipinas, and that
there must be enemies here.
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