they told me that at night they suffered from fear of the demons in the old village, because it had now no church or cross; and so no one dared to sleep there.  With this change the village greatly improved its site.  That they might not lack water near by for bathing (to which all those nations are much addicted), they carefully opened a ditch at the base of the hill, along the edge of the village, by which water could come in from the stream which they formerly had.  Along the streets and around the village they planted their groves and palm-trees, which enrich and beautify it.  They afterward constructed on the new site a very beautiful temple with the help of the king our lord, who paid a third of its cost, as his Majesty does for all the churches.  Since I have mentioned the baths it is fitting to relate what I can tell about them.

Of baths in the Philippines.  Chapter X.

From the time when they are born, these islanders are brought up in the water.  Consequently both men and women swim like fishes, even from childhood, and have no need of bridges to pass over rivers.  They bathe themselves at all hours, for cleanliness and recreation; and even the women after childbirth do not refrain from the bath, and children just born are bathed in the rivers and springs of cold water.  When leaving the bath, they anoint the head with ajonjoli [i.e., oil of sesame] mixed with civet—­of which, as we shall later show, there is great abundance in those regions.  Even when not bathing, they are accustomed to anoint their heads for comfort and adornment, especially the women and children.  Through modesty, they bathe with their bodies drawn up and almost in a sitting posture, with the water to the neck, taking the greatest care not to be seen, although no one may be near to see them.  The most general hour for bathing is at the setting of the sun, because at that time they have finished their labors, and bathe in the river to rest and refresh themselves; on the way, they usually carry some vessel for bearing water to use in their domestic duties.  In the island of Panay I saw all the people, at the conclusion of a burial, hasten to the river upon leaving the church and bathe there, as was the custom among the Jews—­although these Indias have no knowledge of that dead law.  They keep a vessel full of water before the door of every house; every person, whether belonging to the house or not, who enters it takes water from the jar with which to wash his feet before entering, especially during the season of much mud.  They wash their feet with great facility, rubbing one foot with the other:  the water flows down through the floor of the house, which is all of cane and fashioned like a window-grating:  with bars close together.