In this residence are ordinarily maintained three priests, to care for the harvest of three thousand Christians. More than five hundred have been baptized this year. We have tested the great devotion of this people, and their rare sense of piety in frequenting the sacraments, in offering prayers, and in undergoing discipline and performing other good and edifying works; and, finally, there has been wrought in them all a great change in conduct. The father-visitor has laid the foundation of a hospital, which is of great importance. On the day when the roof was finished the father-visitor led them in serving the poor who were gathered there, by pouring water on their hands, and then kissing their hands on his bended knees, which example was followed by all the chief men there present. And thus the custom has been established that four members of the confraternity established for this purpose bring them their food every day. The same thing is done by the women for the sick of their sex. A beginning has been made of a school for boys, in which they may be educated from their earliest years in all virtue and good morals, according to the laws of Christ, so far as these are open to their capacity. This is a thing not merely necessary for their receiving the true doctrine, but also easy and delightful. They are all fed with rice sent by their parents, and by other contributions. Their occupations are learning to read and to form their letters, and to do such other things as are appropriate to childish years. The custom has everywhere been introduced of singing throughout the year, in honor of the Virgin Mother of God, the anthem _Salve Regina_; and on Saturdays in Lent of performing the discipline in church. So when some Indians were bathing in the river, as is the custom in hot countries, and heard the bell give the call for _Salve_ and the discipline, they put on their clothes and set out. Only one remained, and laughing at his companions said in their language: "_Acoi ouian_!"--that is, "Bring back something for me," which is their expression of ridicule. When the others had gone away, he who was alone was attacked and killed by a crocodile--a fierce animal of these regions, which is very fond of human flesh--and that before they could render him any assistance, spiritual or temporal. This event was indeed the occasion of no little wonder, for this beast is very voracious, and swallows men whole, or piece by piece, or at least tears off hand or foot; but this man he left whole and untorn, which the Indians attribute to the virtue of the _Salve_ that they sang and the discipline that they performed. Residence of Zebu