the
people.

But nothing was more pleasing to Xavier, than the conversion of two
princes, who during his absence had been at Goa. The first was king of
Tanor, a kingdom situate along the coasts of Malabar, betwixt Cranganor
and Calecut. This prince, who was party-per-pale, Mahometan and Idolater,
but prudent, a great warrior, of a comely shape, and more polite than was
usual for a barbarian, had from his youth a tendency to Christianity,
without being well instructed in it. He was enamoured of it, after he had
been informed to the full concerning the mysteries of our faith, by a
religious of the order of St Francis, who frequented his palace. In the
mean time, the wars, which he had with other princes for ten years
together, hindered him from receiving baptism. At length he was
christened, but very secretly; so that, in appearance, he remained an
infidel, to keep the better correspondence with his people. Yet he was
not without some scruple concerning the manner of his life; and, in
order to satisfy his conscience on so nice a point, he desired the bishop
of Goa to send him an apostle; for by that name the Fathers of the
Society were called by the Indians, as well as by the Portuguese. Father
Gomez, who was sent to the king of Tanor, told him positively, that God
would be served in spirit and in truth; that dissembling in religion was
worse than, irreligion; and that Jesus would disown before his angels,
those who disowned him before me. The king, who preferred his salvation
before his crown, believed Gomez, and resolved to declare himself
solemnly a Christian, as soon as he had made a treaty with his enemies.
Having concluded a peace through the mediation of the Father, who had
advised him to it, he came to Goa, in despite of all his subjects, who,
not being able to gain upon him, either by their reasons, or their
desires, had seized upon his person, and shut him up in one of the
strongest citadels of the kingdom. He escaped out of his prison, swam a
river, and having found eight foists, or half galleys, belonging to Goa,
which were purposely sent to favour his passage, he had the good fortune
to arrive safely at the town. The bishop and the viceroy conducted him to
the cathedral, amidst the acclamations of the people; and at the foot of
the altar, he made a public profession of his faith; with such
expressions of true devotion as melted the assistants into tears.

The other prince, whose conversion gave so much joy