48. Understanding
there, that the viceroy Don John de Castro was at Bazain, towards the
gulph of Cambaya, he embarked anew, notwithstanding that the season was
improper for navigation; as judging that a business of such consequence
could not be too soon concluded, and that delays frequently ruined the
most hopeful affairs. Castro had never seen Xavier, but all he had heard
related of him, gave him an earnest longing to behold him. He received
him with all those honours which are due to a saint at the first meeting,
and willingly accepted what the king of Jafanatapan had offered, on the
conditions above mentioned; but he retained for some time the man of God,
both to hear him preach, and to consult him on some difficult affairs,
where the interests of state and those of religion were joined together.

In the mean time, he designed Antonio Monis Barreto, a man of authority,
and very brave, for the garrison of Jafanatapan, with an hundred
soldiers, well disciplined, and worthy of such an officer. At the same
time he ordered a magnificent entertainment for the ambassador, who
remained at Goa; and that if any of his train would receive baptism, no
cost should be spared at that solemnity. But the king of Jafanatapan
failed afterwards in fidelity, both to God and man; and in all
probability, it was that failure which drew the last misfortunes on his
person and his kingdom.

The stay which Xavier made at Bazain was not unprofitable to a young man
of quality, who was much debauched, called Rodrigue Segueyra, whom he had
known two years before. For Segueyra having committed a murder at
Malacca, when the Father made his first voyage to the town, retired into
the hospital, to avoid the pursuit of justice. There it was that the
Father knew him, and grew into his familiarity, by his engaging ways of
mildness and courtesy, which always succeeded with him. When he had
gained the affection of Segueyra, he spoke to him of eternity with so
much power, that the young gentleman entered into serious thoughts, and
made a general confession to him. Xavier, to engage him the more in the
ways of goodness, and to free him from that confinement of the hospital,
where his crimes had forced him to take sanctuary, made up the business
with his adversaries, and obtained his pardon from the governor of
Malacca; but seeing the soft and dissolute manner of living in Malacca
was capable of ruining all his good intentions, he advised him to leave
the Indi