belief, and gain an opportunity of revealing to them the eternal truths
of Christian faith. One of the principal inhabitants, and wonderfully
bigotted to his sect, prevented him, and immediately demanded of him, if
piety were not wholly extinguished in the towns of Europe, as it was in
Melinda. "For, to confess the truth," said he, "of seventeen mosques
which we have, fourteen are quite forsaken; there are but three
remaining, at which we pay our devotions; and even those three are but
little visited, and by few persons.

"This proceeds, without all question," added the Mahometan, "from some
enormous sin, but what it is, I know not: and whatsoever reflections I
can make, I am not able to find what has drawn upon us so dreadful a
misfortune." "There is nothing more clear," replied Xavier; "God, who
detests the prayer of infidels, has permitted a worship to moulder away,
which is displeasing to him; and gives you thence to understand, that he
condemns your sect." The Saracen was not satisfied with this reason, nor
with any other argument which Xavier used against the Alcoran. While they
were thus disputing, a Caciz, or doctor of the law, joined company with
them, having made the same complaint concerning the mosques, how little
they were frequented, and how cold was grown the devotion of the people.
"I have taken my measures," said he, "and if in two years Mahomet comes
not in person to visit the congregations of the faithful, who acknowledge
him for God's true prophet, I will certainly look out for some other
religion." Xavier took pity on the folly of the Caciz, and endeavoured
all he could to convert him at that instant from Mahometanism; but he
could not prevail upon an obstinate mind, blinded with the opinion of its
own reason; and therefore the father acquiesced in the decrees of that
Providence, which has fixed the times and revolutions for the conversion
of infidels and sinners.

Having left Melinda, where they continued but few days, and still
coasting Africa, they cast anchor at Socotora, which is beyond Cape
Guardafu, and over against the Strait of Mecca. The Moors of that country
call it the Isle of Amazons; and the reason they allege is, because it is
governed by women. The inhabitants believe their isle to be the earthly
paradise; which notwithstanding, there is scarcely to be found in all the
world, a spot of ground less deserving that glorious title. The air is in
a perpetual sultry heat, the soil is dry a