f full. Then water is added to it,
and, after it has stood for a few days, it is fermented by the force
of the yeast, and is converted into the strongest kind of wine, which
is not liquid, but thick like gachas. [20] In order to drink it they
pour water into the jar. It is a cause for surprise that even though
water be poured in again and again, the liquor is pure and liquid
wine, until the strength vanishes and is lost, and then they leave
it for the children. The method of drinking it is with a tube, which
they insert clear to the bottom where the yeast is. They use three
or four of those tubes, according to the number of the persons who
can find room around the vessel. They suck up as much as they wish,
and then give place to others.

103. The banquets are interspersed with singing, in which one or two
sing and the others respond. The songs [21] are usually their old
songs and fables, as is usual with other nations. The dances of men
and women are generally performed to the sound of bells which are made
in their style like basins, large or small, of metal, and the sounds
are brought out quickly and uninterruptedly. For the dance is warlike
and passionate, but it has steps and measured changes, and interposed
are some elevations that really enrapture and surprise. They generally
hold in the hands a towel, or a spear and shield, and with one and the
other they make their gestures in time, which are full of meaning. At
other times with the hands empty they make movements which correspond
to the movements of the feet, now slow, now rapid. Now they attack
and retire; now they incite; now they pacify; now they come close;
now they go away: all the grace and elegance, so much, in fact, that
at times they have not been judged unworthy to accompany and solemnize
our Christian feasts. [22] However, the children and youths now dance,
play, and sing in our manner and so well that we cannot do it better.

They had a kind of guitar which was called coryapi, which had two or
more copper strings. Although its music is not very artistic or fine,
it does not fail to be agreeable, especially to them. They play it
with a quill, with great liveliness and skill. It is a fact that,
by playing it alone, they carry on a conversation and make understood
whatever they wish to say.

104. All of these islanders are extremely fond of the water for bathing
purposes, and as a consequence they try to settle on the shores of
rivers or creeks, for