Each year every relative punctually celebrated the obsequies, and that was a very festive day.  They gathered a great quantity of food and beverages; they commenced many joyful dances; they stuffed themselves with what was prepared, taking some to their houses, and reserving the greater portion to offer to the divata, and to the deceased, in the following manner.  A small bamboo boat was prepared, with much care, and they filled it with fowls, flesh, eggs, fish, and rice, together with the necessary dishes.  The baylan gave a talk or a prolix prayer, and finished by saying:  “May the dead receive that obsequy, by giving good fortune to the living.”  Those present answered with great shouting and happiness.  Then they loosed the little boat (sacred, as they thought), which no one touched, and whose contents they did not eat, even though they were perishing; for they considered that a great sin.

Sec.V

Vices of the inhabitants of that island

The vices of that people were indeed enormous.  They were never lovers of peace among themselves, and always were anxious for continual wars, which they carried on at the slightest excuse.  All their desire was to rob and capture on land and sea, although they had in their ancient times condemned theft severely.  Their arms consisted of a lance; a long, narrow shield which covered the entire body; and a dagger resembling a broad knife, with which they easily cut off the head of him whom they conquered, which was their greatest delight.  They also used bows and steel-pointed arrows with skill.

Their greed was insatiable, although they were lazy and slothful; and for that reason they practice unheard-of usury.  There is no trace of reason or justice in them.  If one lent another a short measure of rice, the debtor was obliged to return it in a certain time.  If he did not have the wherewithal to return it, he became a captive, and had no redress; for the judges, who should have prevented that oppression, were the first to practice that offense.  That was the practice between peers.  If the business were with any chief, the poor wretch remained a slave forever, even though the sum were for only four reals.  They made a distinction in those captivities; for if one were born of a slave woman, and a free father, or the contrary, such a one remained a half slave.  Consequently in order for the accomplishment of his service to his master, it was sufficient for him to serve for six months scattered along through the twelve of the year.  If he were the child of parents both half slave, he was obliged to serve one month, remaining free the three following; then he served another month, continuing in this manner his servitude.  Likewise, when a freeman and a slave had many children, the chiefs were wont to set some free, while the others remained slaves forever.