noes
of the natives, the occupants of which brought many kinds of food,
but in very small quantity. They would not enter the vessels although
asked to do so by Legazpi, "who showed them much love and affection,
and looked upon them as friends." They sold their food for such things
as playing cards, little bits of cloth, etc. "The father prior talked
with them, using the few words of their language that he remembered,
especially counting up to ten, whereat they manifested great pleasure;
and one of them mentioned the name Gonzalo, which as the father prior
said, was the name of a Spaniard who had been found in one of those
islands, which was called Goam." The natives signed to them to enter
their villages, where they would find food in abundance. "And all the
canoes, and those in them, had their arms, which consisted of shields,
bundles of throwing-sticks, slings, and egg-shaped stones.... They
leave the body quite uncovered. They are tall, robust, well built,
and apparently of great strength. The women, too, are very tall,
and wear only a cord tied about the waist, and to the cord they
hang some grass or leaves from the trees, whereby they cover the
shameful parts. Some cover the latter also with mats made from
palm-leaves. All the rest of the body is uncovered. Both men and
women wear their hair, which is of a yellowish color, loose and long,
gathering it up behind the head." Their canoes are "very neatly and
well made, sewed together with cord, and finished with a white or
orange-colored bitumen, in place of pitch. They are very light, and
the natives sail in them with their lateen sails made of palm-mats,
with so much swiftness against the wind or with a side wind that it
is a thing to marvel at." The trading was all done from the canoes
for the natives would not enter the vessels. They cheated much,
passing up packages filled mainly with sand, or grass, and rocks,
with perhaps a little rice on top to hide the deceit; the cocoa-nut
oil was found to be mixed with water. "Of these the natives made many
and very ridiculous jests." They showed no shame in these deceits,
and, if remonstrance was made, began straightway to show fight. "They
are inclined to do evil, and in their knavishness they exhibit a very
great satisfaction in having done it; and truly whoever gave the name
of island of Ladrones [robbers] was right; for they are robbers and
boast of it, and are quite shameless and inclined to evil. They render
account