which they sell to the neighboring
provinces, and trade for food; and by persons (Spaniards as well as
Indians) who have been in the mines opened by those mountaineers._

First, it is to be taken for granted that they are located in the
mountains and ridges called Ygolotes, at somewhat less than eighteen
degrees of latitude; and as the land in itself is so lofty, it is cold,
although its inhabitants go naked except for some garments made from
the bark of trees. This region lies between the provinces of Cagayan,
Ylocos, Pangasinan, and Tuy. The people are light complexioned,
well-disposed, and intelligent. [54] It is reported that about
eighteen or twenty thousand Indians use lance and shield. They are
at war with their neighbors up to certain boundaries. Beyond those
boundaries those peoples trade with one another; for the Ygolotes
descend to certain towns of Pangasinan with their gold, and exchange
it for food--hogs, carabaos, and rice, taking the animals alive to
their own country. Until that food is consumed, or but a little time
before, they pay no heed to securing any gold. Then each man goes to
the mine assigned to him, and they get what they need, according to
what they intend to buy, and not any more. They are a people as void
of covetousness as this; for they say that they have it there at hand
for the times when they need it.

It is probable that the mines here are very numerous and rich; and
it is a well-known fact that for these many centuries the greatest
quantity of gold, and that of the finest quality, in these islands has
been and is still obtained there; and at the present time this industry
is as active as ever. Although gold is obtained in certain parts of
these islands, such as the island of Masbate, Catanduanes, Paracali,
and the Pintados, yet none of it is in such quantities as that here;
and this has been always, and now is the general opinion. Consequently
one cannot doubt that a great treasure could be secured with expert
men and the order to work those mines, since rude Indians, without
any skill except in washing, obtain so great a quantity. It is said
that one can obtain more gold in the rewashing of what the Indian
leaves than the latter obtains.

It is also said that the wealth of these mines lies in certain
mountains, in a district of four or five leguas in extent, and
included between two large rivers which flow into the province of
Pangasinan. The natives do not cultivate the land--fo