This was the first expedition on which I penetrated into the interior. On my preceding ones I had not gone beyond the first mountain chain, as the large fields of tobacco planted clandestinely, which I had to destroy, detained me many days, and when my provisions were exhausted I had to return to the towns.
I had heard some Igorot say that beyond the great mountain called “Tonglo,” which overlooks Santo Tomas and Agoo and is one of the noteworthy mountains of Luzon, there was a very large town situated in a broad and fertile valley the inhabitants of which were very rich and brave people and made war upon the pagans of the foothills.
But no one of the Igorot who were my friends had the courage to guide me or even knew the road. They knew, it is true, the direction and the point where the town lay, but were not acquainted with the precise trail to be taken in the midst of so many ups and downs and intricate windings. At last I induced my first Igorot friend, Pingue, to guide me, promising myself to find the road, if I were to lose it, with the help of my compass. I assembled in Agoo two officers, three sergeants, six corporals, and fifty troops, with 200 polistas 2 to carry provisions and baggage, and in the afternoon of January 4 set out toward the east.
Following the bed of the river of Agoo till 6 o’clock I reached a barrio of this town called “Tubao.” Here I passed the night.