Of the manner in which they set out on raids.  These natives have a method of casting lots with the teeth of a crocodile or of a wild boar.  During the ceremony they invoke their gods and their ancestors, and inquire of them as to the result of their wars and their journeys.  By knots or loops which they make with cords, they foretell what will happen to them; and they resort to these practices for everything which they have to undertake.  The Indians along the coast are accustomed to set out every year on their plundering expeditions in the season of the bonancas, which come between the brisas and the vendabals.  The Tinguianes set out after they have gathered their harvests; and since their custom is to be enemies to those who are such to their friends, they do not lack opportunity for fighting.

While on a plundering expedition, if they could take their enemy alive they did not kill him.  If any one slew a captive after his surrender, he must pay for him with his own money; and if he were unable to do so he was held as a slave.  The booty that they take, whatever it may be, belongs to the chiefs, except a small portion which is given to the timaguas who go with them as oarsmen.  But if many chiefs went on a raid, the one who offered the magaanito, or the sacrifice mentioned above, received half of the booty, and the other half belonged to the other chiefs.

Captured chiefs. If any chief were taken captive, he was well treated; and if any friend ransomed the captive because he was far from home, the captive returned to him double the amount that his friend had paid for him, because of his good offices in withdrawing the chief from captivity; for the latter would, otherwise, always remain a prisoner.  When a chief was taken captive, or committed adultery or murder, all his relatives contributed toward his ransom, each according to the degree of his kinship; and if the relatives had not means to do this the chief remained a slave.

Borrowing. If they lent rice to anyone, one year was allowed for repaying it, since it is something that is planted.  If the loan were not repaid after the first harvest, double the amount was to be paid at the second; at the third harvest, fourfold was due on an unpaid loan; and so on, regularly increasing.  This was the only usury among them, although some have stated otherwise; but those persons were not well informed.  Now, some who are lazy, and unwilling to exert themselves to pay the tribute, ask a loan for this purpose, and repay a somewhat larger sum.

Inheritances. It is their custom to share inheritances in the following manner.  If a man died and left four children, the property and the slaves were divided into four equal parts, and each one of the children took his own share.  If the dead man left a bastard child, the latter would receive only what the brothers were pleased to give him; for he had no right to one of the shares, nor could he take more than what his