Page 328
An. 1686
How they treat Strangers.
and invite them to their Houses, and inquire who has a Comrade, (which word I believe they have from the Spaniards) or a Pagally, and who has not. A Comrade is a familiar Male-friend ; a Pa- gally is an innocent Platonick Friend of the other Sex. All Strangers are in a manner oblig'd to ac- cept of this Acquaintance and Familiarity, which must be first purchased with a small Present, and afterwards confirmed with some Gift or other to continue the Acquaintance : and as often, as the Stranger goes ashore, he is welcome to his Comrade or Pagally's House, where he may be entertained for his Money, to eat, drink, or sleep ; and com- plimented, as often as he comes ashore, with To- bacco and Betel-nut, which is all the Entertain- ment he must expect gratis. The richest Mens Wives are allowed the freedom to converse with her Pagally in publick, and may give or receive Presents from him. Even the Sultans and the Generals Wives, who are always coopt up, will yet look out of their Cages when a Stranger passeth by, and de- mand of him if he wants a Pagally: and to invite him to their Friendship, will send a Present of To- bacco and Betel-nut to him by their Servants.
The chiefest City on this Island is called by the same Name of Mindanao. It is seated on the South side of the Island, in lat. 7 d. 20 m. N. on the banks of a small River, about 2 mile from the Sea. The manner of building is somewhat strange ; yet generally used in this part of the East Indies. Their Houses are all built on Posts, about 14, 16, 18, or 20 foot high. These Posts are bigger or less, ac- cording to the intended Magnificence of the Super- structure. They have but one floor, but many par- titions, or rooms, and a ladder or stairs to go up out of the streets. The roof is large, and covered with Palmeto or Palm-leaves. So there is a clear passage like a Piazza (but a filthy one) under the House.