Notwithstanding the hardness and obstinacy of the equestrian nations, they were by no means to be neglected by the Apostolic labourers of Paraguay, as their conversion and civilization were of the greatest importance to the safety and tranquillity of the whole province. But many artifices must be made use of by those who have to instruct or deal with them in any way. They must be advised, admonished, and corrected, with singular mildness, and some indulgence; with them the maxim _festina lentè_ should be put in practice, lest premature fervour and severity should suddenly destroy the hopes of future fruits. You will alarm the savages who have but just quitted the woods, and make them fly you, if, burning with the spirit of Elijah, you imprudently strive to abolish their rude, barbarous manners, and conform them exactly to the rule of Christian discipline, at the first trial. But though indulgence was always our aim, we did not think proper to connive at any thing contrary to religion, or injurious to others, which it was in our power to prevent. To procure immortal life for dying infants, we often incurred danger of death from the opposing savages, who would rush upon us with spears, foolishly imagining that the ceremony of baptism accelerated dissolution. Even now I tremble at the remembrance of that night when Father Brigniel hastened to baptize an infant which he understood to be at the point of death, I accompanying him, and carrying the torch. Cacique Lichinrain, the father of the child, could be induced by no entreaties, threats, or expostulations, to suffer his little son to be baptized; which as he was endeavouring to effect against the will of the Cacique, the furious Kevachichi laid hands on him, and pulled him back, the rest of the by-standers expressing great indignation, and threatening us with every thing that was dreadful. The Cacique held his almost expiring son tight with both arms, and covered him all over with his clothes, so that he was entirely concealed. We, therefore, returned home without accomplishing our purpose: the infant, however, soon after recovering, put an end to our grief. How often, surrounded by swords and arrows, have we flown to prevent a crowd of drunken Abipones from rushing to mutual wounds and slaughter! If you read the annals of either India, you would be convinced that the Jesuits, who instructed the savages in the divine law, must have united apostolic severity with mild indulgence, whenever they had to contend for the glory of God, and for integrity of conduct. Above all admiration, and almost beyond belief, are the examples of magnanimity which the men of our order, employed in taming the ferocious nations of Paraguay, have left to posterity. What has not been endured and attempted for the love of God, by Roque Gonzalez, Barsena, Boroa, Ortega, Mendoza, Ruyz de Montoya, Mazzeta, Cataldino, Diaztaño, Lorenzana, Romero, Yegros, Zea, Castañares,