ourses of
the saint brought over the most debauched amongst them; and one soldier,
who had been a libertine all his life, died with such evident signs of
true contrition, that being expired, Father Xavier was heard to say, "God
be praised, who has brought me hither for the salvation of that soul;"
which caused people to believe, that God Almighty had made a revelation
of it to him.

By the same supernal illumination, he saw in spirit one whom he had left
in Ternate in the vigour of health, now expiring in that place; for
preaching one day, he broke off his discourse suddenly, and said to his
auditors, "Recommend to God, James Giles, who is now in the agony of
death;" the news of his death came not long after, which entirely
verified the words of Xavier.

The four ships continued at Amboyna but twenty days, after which they set
sail towards Malacca. The merchant-ship, which was the best equipped and
strongest of them, invited the saint to embark in her; but he refused,
out of the horror which he had for those enormous crimes which had been
committed in her. And turning to Gonsalvo Fernandez, "This ship," said
he, "will be in great danger; God deliver you out of it." Both the
prediction and the wish of the saint were accomplished; for the ship, at
the passage of the Strait of Saban, struck against a hidden rock, where
the iron-work of the stern was broken, and little wanted but that the
vessel had been also split; but she escaped that danger, and the rest of
the voyage was happily performed.

The Father staying some few days longer on the isle, visited the seven
Christian villages which were there; caused crosses to be set up in all
of them, for the consolation of the faithful; and one of these crosses,
in process of time, became famous for a great miracle, of which the whole
country was witness.

There was an extreme drought, and a general dearth was apprehended.
Certain women, who before their baptism were accustomed to use charms
for rain, being assembled round about an idol, adored the devil, and
performed all the magic ceremonies; but their enchantments were of no
effect. A devout Christian woman knowing what they were about, ran
thither, and having sharply reprehended those impious creatures, "As if,"
said she, "having a cross so near us, we had no expectations of succour
from it; and that the holy Father had not promised us, that whatsoever we
prayed for at the foot of that cross, should infallibly be granted."