I hadn't yet received any letter from Pedro when we decided to set off early the next morning. It would not be surprising for him to face resistance in Sta. Cruz. The town, being distant from Boac and also having its share of very wealthy principales, would not readily submit to a fledgling governor.
Still, he could have sent a report. Perhaps he did not want to send anyone back until he had succeeded.
But I was starting to get worried. We had no news of him for five days already. And even if he was safe, to have no result for that long must mean he might need my personal help.
The coastal road continued toward Sta. Cruz, but to travel it on foot would take six to eight hours, and with our number, we might be delayed. Not to mention that if the occasional downpour arrived, the dirt road would become mud and twice as hard to navigate.
It was the gobernadorcillo who advised us to take the sea route. He had some of his people escort us toward the coastal barrio of Balanacan.
