s tried. First, they were placed in the part of
the river where it is deepest, each one with his wooden spear in
his hand. Then at the same time they were all to be plunged under
the water, for all are equal in this, and he who came out first was
regarded as the criminal. Consequently, many let themselves drown
for fear of punishment. The second was to place a stone in a vessel
of boiling water, and to order them to take it out. He who refused to
put his hand into the water paid the penalty for the theft. Thirdly,
each one was given a wax candle of the same wick, and of equal size
and weight. The candles were lighted at the same time, and he whose
candle first went out was the culprit.

118. There are three kinds and classes of people: the chiefs, whom
the Visayans call dato and the Tagalogs maginoo; the timauas, who
are the ordinary common people, called maharlica among the Tagalogs;
and the slaves, called oripuen by the Visayans and alipin by the
Tagalogs. The last are divided into several kinds, as we shall relate
soon. The chiefs attain that position generally through their blood;
or, if not that, because of their energy and strength. For even though
one may be of low extraction, if he is seen to be careful, and if he
gains some wealth by his industry and schemes--whether by farming and
stock-raising, or by trading; or by any of the trades among them, such
as smith, jeweler, or carpenter; or by robbery and tyranny, which was
the most usual method--in that way he gains authority and reputation,
and increases it the more he practices tyranny and violence. With
these beginnings, he takes the name of dato; and others, whether his
relatives or not, come to him, and add credit and esteem to him, and
make him a leader. Thus there is no superior who gives him authority
or title, beyond his own efforts and power. Consequently, might was
proclaimed as right, and he who robbed most and tyrannized most was
the most powerful. If his children continued those tyrannies, they
conserved that grandeur. If on the contrary, they were men of little
ability, who allowed themselves to be subjugated, or were reduced
either by misfortunes and disastrous happenings, or by sicknesses
and losses, they lost their grandeur with their possessions, as is
customary throughout the world; and the fact that they had honored
parents or relatives was of no avail to them, or is of no avail to them
now. In this way it has happened that the father might be