f the precept did not bind him
under pain of sin, he would not allow any fear to keep him from
carrying out his desire. The Provincial said he had authority from the
Holy See to detain those he thought fit, and to even excommunicate
those who would not obey when stopped by him, and he thought in this
case it was better for him not to remain. When he wished to show the
pontifical papers giving him power to excommunicate, Ignatius said
there was no need, as he believed his word. If they had the authority,
he would obey.

After this, returning to where he was before, he was seized with a
great longing to visit Mount Olivet again before he departed, since
the Divine Will would not suffer him to remain in those holy places.
On that mountain is a rock from which Our Lord ascended to heaven, on
which even now His footprints are visible. And this is what he wished
to see again. Therefore, without telling any one, and without a guide,
although it was a dangerous thing to go without a Turkish guard,
secretly withdrawing he went to Mount Olivet alone. As the guards
would not allow him to enter, he gave them his knife. After great
consolation in prayer he desired to go to Bethphage. When he reached
that place, he thought that on Mount Olivet he had not noticed the
position of the right foot of Our Lord and that of the left. He came a
second time, and gave his scissors to the guards to allow him to
enter. Afterward when at the monastery it was discovered he had gone
without a guide, a great search was made for him. Coming down from
Mount Olivet he met a girdled Christian, those who are bound to wear a
girdle to distinguish them from the Mussulmans; this man, pretending
to be very angry, threatened him with a large stick, and approaching,
firmly grasped him by the arm. He allowed himself to be led, but the
good man once he had hold of him did not let him go. In the meantime,
as he was thus led along a captive, he was visited with great
consolation, as he seemed to see Christ walking above him. And this
continued until he reached the monastery.

CHAPTER V

HIS ARRIVAL IN APULIA, VENICE, FERRARA, AND GENOA--HE IS APPREHENDED
AS A SPY--HE IS DESPISED AS A FOOL--HIS STUDIES AT BARCELONA AND
ALCALA

On the following day the pilgrims took their departure, and arriving
at Cyprus, were assigned to different vessels. In the harbor of that
place were three or four ships bound for Venice. Of these one belonged
to some Turks; anoth