ve that
it is so; for mahadlica properly signifies "to give freedom to the
slave," only because absolute liberty is its peculiar signification,
and they make use of this term when it was given to a slave. Thus this
term gives liberty, and the slave remains free from all slavery in the
uttermost of its meaning. It is certain that the term timava is more
correctly used to signify the freedman. Consequently, the Tagalog
speech applies it and uses it, not only to express the liberty of
the slave, but also for him who breaks the cord at the gallows and
is freed from punishment; and for any fierce animal which makes sport
of bonds. They only lengthen somewhat the accent of the last syllable
in the latter sense, and say nagtitimava.

469. The pecheros were the ones called aliping namamahay. Although
in strictness, in the Tagalog, the term alipin signifies "slave,"
the pechero was not properly a slave, for he always remained in the
house and could not be sold. Consequently, this term could only be
applied to express their method of service, namely, an up-stairs
servant, as I understand it. These pecheros were married. They served
their masters, whether datos or not, with the half of their [time
in the] fields, or as was agreed upon at the beginning; and served
them as rowers. But they lived in their own houses with their wives
and children, and were lords of their property, lands, and gold; and
their masters had not the slightest liberty of action or dominion over
those things. And, even though they should fall by inheritance to a
son of their master, if the former went to live in another village
he could not take them from their own native village; but they would
serve him in their own village, according to their ability, as they
served their former master.

470. The slaves who were strictly such were called aliping sa
guiguilir. This term comes in strict Tagalog to mean the servants
below stairs; for the term guilir signifies "the lower part of
the house," or "its lower entrance." These were bought and sold,
or acquired by war, although those who were born in a family were
seldom sold, for affection's sake. Such served their master in all
things; but the latter would give them some portion of his field,
if they were faithful and zealous in their labor. If they gained
anything by their industry, they could keep it. If they were slaves
because of debt, a condition that was very frequent among them, when
the debt was paid the