But after the Spaniards had taken that,
the defenders of it surrendered. This was done quickly, and allowed
no time for the inhabitants to unite. Thus did Legaspe enter Manila,
a place fortified by nature. At one point of it (which is surrounded by
the water of the bay) is a river of considerable volume, whose source
is the great Lake of Vay [Bay], five leguas distant. This point, narrow
and slender at first, becomes wider immediately, for the seashore
turns toward the southwest, and the bank of the river toward the east,
so that a very considerable space is left for the city. The city is
entirely surrounded with water, except that part between the west
and south. Legaspe founded the city then with wooden buildings, for
wood is produced abundantly in those regions. The roofs of the houses
were covered with nipa leaves, which resemble our mace-reed, [279]
and which form a sufficient defense against the rains. It is, however,
an inflammable material, and is the occasion of the great fires that
have happened there so often.
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