At mass they offered a thanksgiving for the mercy that during their stay in the city there had been no accident or bloodshed such as might have been expected. At the Elevation of the Host, volleys were fired and the royal standard and banner were lowered to the base of the altar. On their way to the convent the Spaniards were met by Masumane, the mighty Lord of the Province of Oxo, who was awaiting them on horseback, accompanied by two thousand soldiers and many mounted horsemen. This noble prince, who was to become the friend and protector of the Spaniards and all Christians, is described as so powerful that, in case of warfare, he could command the services of eighty thousand men. As soon as he saw the ambassador he dismounted and sent him a message, asking him as a favor to order the Spanish soldiers to discharge their firearms, because he wanted to see and hear them do so. Acceding to this request, they discharged two such loud volleys that he put his hands to his ears in alarm. Frightened by the noise a number of horses threw their riders, or rolled on the ground. Viscaino relates that the prince and his suite were so amused at this that they nearly died of laughter. When order was restored, the prince approached the ambassador, and bowing to the ground, offered him thanks and his services, and passed on with such demonstrations of politeness and courtesy that the Spanish ambassador was led to state that the Japanese nobility excelled in politeness all of the nations of the world.