any. With these flatteries and promises the Moros detained us about
five days, during which time we had friendly dealings and intercourse
with them, although they mistrusted us to a certain extent. They had
already abandoned the first town on the shore and had withdrawn to
a hill about two hundred paces away. There most of them had taken
their wives, children, and part of their goods, although the best
part of their property was kept farther inland. This hill was so well
fortified by nature, that, had it not been for the two ladders, which
the Moros kept in two places, one could have ascended it only with
wings. Notwithstanding all these difficulties, our Spaniards paid
them friendly visits. On this little fortified spot the Moros had
built their huts, as high as Mexican market-tents. They resembled a
crowd of children with their holiday toys. During these five days, the
Moros had, little by little, given two hundred taels of impure gold,
for they possess great skill in mixing it with other metals. They give
it an outside appearance so natural and perfect, and so fine a ring,
that unless it is melted they can deceive all men, even the best of
silversmiths. While in this port of Mindoro the master-of-camp sought
information concerning the distance to Manilla and the towns which
would be found on the journey. Our interpreter disagreed with the
Moros of Mindoro as to the number of days it would take; but they
all agreed that it was far, and that perhaps the weather would not
permit us to sail thither. The natives of Mindoro added also that
the Spaniards were crazy to go to Manilla with so small a force,
and that they pitied us. They recounted so many wonders of Manilla
that their tales seemed fabulous; they said that there were very
large oared boats, each carrying three hundred rowers, besides the
warriors; that the people were well armed and excellent bowmen;
that the ships were well equipped with artillery, both large and
small; and that any one of those vessels could attack two _praus_,