to you from Almighty God." This positive prediction amazed the
whole assembly, and caused them to put off the determination of the
affair until the day ensuing. The remaining part of the day was passed
with great impatience, to see the effect of the Father's promise. When
the sun was just on the point of setting, and many began to fear the
accomplishment of the prophecy, in the very minute marked out by the
Father, they discovered, from the clock-house of our Lady del Monte, two
European ships, which were sailing directly from the north. Melo sent out
a skiff immediately to hail them, being informed that they were
Portuguese vessels, one belonging to James Soarez Gallego, and the other
to his son Balthazar, who came from the kingdom of Patan, but who took
the way of Pegu, without intentions of casting anchor at Malacca, to
avoid paying customs. He went in search of Father Francis, who was at his
devotions in the church del Monte, and told him, that his prophecy would
be accomplished to little purpose, if the ships came not into the port.
Xavier took it upon himself to stop them; and, going into the skiff which
had hailed them, made directly to the two vessels. The masters of the
ships, seeing the man of God, received him with respect. He made them
understand the present juncture of affairs, and earnestly besought them,
by the interests of their religion, and their country, to assist the town
against the common enemy of the Christian name, and the crown of
Portugal. And to engage them farther, by their particular concernment, he
let them see the danger into which they were casting themselves, in case
they should obstinately pursue their voyage; and that they were going,
without consideration, to precipitate themselves into the hands of the
barbarians.

They yielded to the reasons of the Father; and the next morning entered
the port amidst the shouts and acclamations of the people. After this,
there was no farther dispute of fighting the enemy; and the most timorous
came about to the opinion of the captains and the soldiers.

All things being in a readiness to set sail, the admiral, Francis Deza,
received the flag from the hands of Xavier, who had solemnly blessed it,
and mounted the ship of his brother George Deza, instead of his own,
which was already sunk. The rest of the captains, who had been on shore,
returned on ship-board; and, with the two newly arrived vessels, the
whole fleet consisted of nine, their number al