he least pause, that
the affront was too great to be endured; that the honour of the Christian
religion was more concerned in it than that of the crown of Portugal: If
this injury should be dissembled, to what audaciousness would the enemy
arise, and what would not the other Mahometan princes attempt after this
example? In conclusion, that the challenge ought to be accepted, that the
infidels might see the King of Heaven was more powerful than their king
Alaradin.

"But how," said the governor, "shall we put to sea, and on what vessels,
since, of eight gally-foysts which we had in port, there are but four
remaining, and those also almost shattered in pieces, and half burned;
and, in case we could refit them, what could they perform against so
numerous a fleet?" "Suppose," answered Xavier, "the barbarians had twice
so many ships, are not we much stronger, who have heaven on our side; and
how can we choose but overcome, when we fight in the name of our Lord and
Saviour?"

No man was so bold to contradict the man of God; and they all went to the
arsenal. There they found a good sufficient bark, of those they call
catur, besides seven old foysts, fit for nothing but the fire. Duarte de
Bareto, who by his office had the superintendance of their naval stores,
was commanded to fit out these foysts with all expedition. But he
protested it was not in his power; for, besides that the kings magazines
were empty of all necessaries for the equipping of them, there was no
money in the treasury for materials.

The governor, who had no other fund, was ready to lose courage, when
Xavier, by a certain impulse of spirit, suddenly began to embrace seven
sea captains there present, who were of the council of war. He begged of
them to divide the business amongst them, and each of them apart to take
care of fitting out one galley: At the same time, without waiting for
their answer, he assigned every man his task. The captains durst not
oppose Xavier, or rather God, who inclined their hearts to comply with
the saint's request. Above an hundred workmen were instantly employed on
every vessel; and in four days time the seven gallies were in condition
for fighting. Melo gave the catur to Andrea Toscano, a man of courage,
and well versed in sea affairs. He divided amongst the seven captains an
hundred and fourscore soldiers, chosen men, and appointed Francis Deza
admiral of the fleet. Xavier was desirous to have gone along with them,
but the in