at an isle, and there furnished themselves with
timber, against the furious gusts of those uncertain seas. At the same
time they renewed their interrogatories to their idol; and cast lots, to
know whether they should have good winds. The lots promised them a good
passage, whereupon the Pagans pursued their course merrily. But they were
no sooner got out to sea again, when they drew lots the third time, to
know, whether the junk should return safely from Japan to Malacca. The
answer was, that they should arrive happily at Japan, but were never more
to see Malacca. The pirate, who was extremely superstitious, resolved at
the same instant to change his course; and in effect tacked about, and
passed his time in going to every isle which was in view. Father Xavier
was sensibly displeased, that the devil should be master of their
destiny, and that all things should be ordered, according to the answers
of the enemy of God and man.

In cruising thus leisurely, they made the coast of Cochin China; and the
tempests, which rose at the same time, threatened them more than once
with shipwreck. The idolaters had recourse to their ordinary
superstitions. The lot declared, that the wind should fall, and that
there was no danger. But an impetuous gust so raised the waves, that the
mariners were forced to lower their sails, and cast anchor. The shog of
the vessel threw a young Chinese (whom Xavier had christened, and carried
along with him) into the sink, which was then open. They drew him out
half dead, much bruised, and hurt in the head very dangerously. While
they were dressing him, the captain's daughter fell into the sea, and was
swallowed by the waves, notwithstanding all they could do to save her.

This dismal accident drove Neceda to despair; "and it was a lamentable
sight," says Xavier himself, in one of his letters, "to behold the
disorder in the vessel. The loss of the daughter, and the fear of
shipwreck, filled all with tears, and howlings, and confusion."

Nevertheless, the idolaters, instead of acknowledging that their idol had
deceived them with a lie, took pains to appease him, as if the death of
the Chinese woman had been an effect of their god's displeasure. They
sacrificed birds to him, and burnt incense in honour of him; after which
they cast lots again to know the cause of this disaster which had
befallen them. They were answered, "That if the young Christian, who had
fell into the sink, had died, the captain's daug