The natives of the Marianas were a warlike race, armed with clubs, spears and shields decorated with the hair of people they had killed. Magellan and his men, starving and sick, had to fight them off with crossbows and cannon fire. They made a quick landing, grabbed what food and drink they could find, and put to sea again. Ten days later they reached the Philippines , where ,thank- fully, the situation was very different. The small island of Homonhon, where they first landed, was a beautiful place of sandy beaches, palm trees and abundant fish, fruit and veget- ables . There they rested and recovered their health and str- ength. The local Filipinos were very friendly, loading their visitors with more food, and with pearls, gold and precious stones, in exchange for such items as knives and mirrors. For Magellan himself , it was a tremendous personal trium- ph. Years before, he had first reached the Philippines by s- ailing east from Portugal. Now he had returned, by sailing westwards. Taking the two voyages together, he was thus the first man to have been right round the world . More triumphs seemed to be in store for him when the Tri- nidad, Concepcion and Victoria, escorted by islanders in h- undreds, of canoes, moved on to the neighbouring island of Cebu was converted to Christianity. Magellan ordered a lar- ge cross to be erected on the shore, and an altar to be bu- ilt. The rajah and thousands of his subjects, were then ba- ptized by the ships�� priests. With this ceremony, Magellan claimed the Philippines for Christendom and for Spain. If Magellan had returned to Spain, he would surely have received a hero��s welcome. But he did not return.