usty, very reliable in their dealings, respectful, and
very valiant, but not restless. So I am informed by one who has had
much to do with them; and all the above are qualities which we find
in the Japanese.

408. The Lutaya nation, or the Lutaos, do not give much sign of their
first origin, just as they do not evince any particular inclination
for one kingdom or another. For since their natural disposition
is one of self-interest and fickle, and delights in war, they make
alliance now with the Joloans, now with the Basilans, and now with the
Mindanaos--as quickly with one as another, and as quickly against their
allies and with others. They show that they are Moros by the turban,
the marlota, [344] their arms, and their ceremonies; but they cannot
be very ancient, since the Mahometans have not been very long in India
and in these parts. The Lutaos could have come to these islands from
the regions whence it is inferred that the others have come.

409. Of the mountain people without civilization or government,
and with the life and custom of barbarians, it is inferred that they
were some of these primitive possessors, who fled from the civilized
foreigners. These people have various names in various settlements. In
Yligan and Samboangan, they are called Subanos; in Caraga, Manobos;
in Xolo, Guinuanos; in Basilan, Sameacas. [345] And although some say
that it is known that they are the descendants of the Malays, because
their language is built on the general roots of the Malay language,
there are religious (living today) who have lived there for many
years, who assure me that they have not heard, in their method of
talking with them, any Malay root. Consequently, since the islands
are so strung out even as far as the islands of Borney and Macasar,
and since the crossing is so easy, it is always inferred that their
origin comes from that direction.

410. In the upper and northern part of the great island of Luzon are
the two provinces of Cagayan and Ylocos. Those people, as is inferred
by Father Colin, are descended from Chinese or Japanese, because the
graves of men of larger stature than the Indians have been found there,
as well as some Chinese and Japanese jewels which have been preserved
among them. If these should be slight indications--for they can proceed
from various other circumstances, on account of the great nearness of
China and Japan--they may aid in the foundation of that inference. But
we cannot get any