They now contain many thousands of baptized persons, upon whom our Lord has had great mercy, sending them the remedy for their souls in so good season; for, had the Spaniards delayed a few years more, all the natives would now be Moors, for already some of that sect in the island of Burneo had gone to these islands to preach their faith, and already many were not far from the worship of the false prophet Mahoma.

But his perfidious memory was extirpated easily by the holy gospel of Christ.

In all these islands they worshiped the sun, moon, and other secondary causes, certain images of men and women called in their tongue _Maganitos_, feasts to whom--very sumptuous and abounding in great ceremonies and superstitions--were called _Magaduras_.

Among all of these idols they held one, by name _Batala_, in most veneration.

This reverence they held as a tradition; but they knew not why he was greater than the others, or why he merited more esteem.