his eyes, for the deliverance of the poor
creature, whom he looked upon as lost; and who was taken from the jaws of
death by a most evident miracle."

In passing over the Alps, the ambassador's secretary alighting to walk in
a difficult way, which he could not well observe, by reason of the snows,
his foot happened to slip on a sharp descent, and he rolled down into a
precipice: he had tumbled to the very bottom, if, in falling, his clothes
had not taken hold on one of the crags of the rock, where he remained
hanging over the depths without ability, either to disengage himself, or
get up again. Those who followed, made towards him, but the horror of
that abyss stopt short the most daring: Xavier only made not the least
demur; he descended the precipice, and lending his hand to the secretary,
by little and little dragged him up.

Being gotten out of France, and having passed the Pyreneans, on the side
of Navarre, when they were now approaching Pampeluna, Mascaregnas
bethought himself, that Father Francis, for by that name Xavier was
usually called, had not spoken one word of going to the castle of Xavier,
which was but little distant from their road: he remembered him of it,
and was even so importunate with him, as to say, that since he was about
to leave Europe, and perhaps never more to see it, he could not in
decency dispense with giving a visit to his family, and taking his last
leave of his mother, who was yet living.

But all the arguments of Mascaregnas wrought no effect upon a man, who,
having forsaken all things for the love of God, was of opinion, that he
had nothing remaining in this world; and who also was persuaded, that
flesh and blood are enemies to the apostolical spirit. He turned not out
of the road, but only said to the ambassador, that he deferred the sight
of his relations till he should visit them in heaven; that this transient
view would be accompanied but with melancholy and sadness, the common
products of a last farewell, but in heaven he should eternally behold
them with pleasure, and without the least allay of sorrow.

Mascaregnas had already a high idea of Xavier's virtue; but this
wonderful disengagement from the world yet more increased the esteem
which he had of him; insomuch, that before they reached Portugal, he sent
an express to King John III. with no other errand, than to inform him of
the holiness of this second missioner to the Indies.

They arrived at Lisbon towards the end of