The people of this province are simple and well disposed.  Their country is delightful in its location, being healthful and very beautiful.  The chase yields many wild hogs, deer, and buffaloes; and there are many birds, such as hens, ducks of many varieties, the smaller birds, and many others.  There is a river where fish abound in great plenty, especially swordfish, and many black shellfish, the latter being gathered at the river.  There is much fine scenery in this province, and it contains many springs and rivers of fresh, clear water, on account of which there is always abundance of excellent water in this province.  Near the boundaries of the province are two volcanoes of great size and remarkable beauty—­one of fire, and the other of water. [8] According to the report of the natives who have climbed up to the volcano of water, there are many royal eagles there, besides much white honey and wax, and fruits of various kinds.

The entire population of this province is in encomiendas, separated two or three leagues, or even a less distance, from one another; and all these encomiendas are contained within thirty leagues.

Besides this island of Luzon, there are many other inhabited islands, situated close to it, within a circuit of one hundred leagues.  There are two more Spanish colonies—­one the city of Nonbre de Jesus, in Cebu; and the other the town of Arevalo, [9] in Oton.

Concerning Cubu

The city of Cubu has thirty citizens, among whom are quartered twenty soldiers.  These citizens are all encomenderos, and all married to either Spanish or Indian women.  Their encomiendas are located among the neighboring islands, there being thirty-two encomiendas with eighteen thousand tributarios.  Here his Majesty possesses some few little hamlets, in which but little tribute is collected, and the natives of the city—­who by special privilege pay no tribute, because from the very first they received the Spaniards in a friendly manner, furnishing the camp with provisions, and showing themselves loyal on many occasions.  This city has a church, with one vicar; and one Augustinian monastery, containing three or four religious.  In all those encomiendas there is no other instruction.  Three more priests are necessary.

This city has a municipal council and alcaldes; and has a fortress provided with three or four large pieces of artillery, and some small ones, such as falcons and small culverins; and having its own governor.  This fort is located opposite Burney, the Malucos and Mindanaos, and other infidel islands and kingdoms.  This city has one alcalde-mayor.

The town of Arevalo

The town of Arevalo is situated on the island of Oton [or Panay], and has twenty citizens; they are encomenderos, and have thirty soldiers quartered among them.  The town has a municipal council, alcaldes-in-ordinary, and one alcalde-mayor.  In the islands near this settlement there are twenty-two thousand tributarios; three thousand of these are his Majesty’s, and nineteen thousand are distributed among eighteen encomiendas.  There is one church and one vicar, and one monastery with two Augustinians.  Outside of the town, in certain of the encomiendas, are four more houses of the same order.  The five houses contain ten priests.  Three or four more are needed.