n had prepared for the
governor of Malacca; and going on board, left the people, who had
followed him thus far, astonished at his prophecies, and afflicted at his
departure.

Immediately they set sail, and there were in the vessel above five
hundred persons, counting in the passengers and servants. They were
already forward on their voyage, when the wind fell on the sudden; and in
a moment the waves were laid, and the face of the ocean grew so smooth,
that the Santa Cruz stood still, and moved no more than if she had been
at anchor. During this becalming, which lasted fourteen days together,
their water failed them, and some died from the first want of it. They
rowed on every side with their chalop, to make discovery of some coast
where they might find fresh water. Being far at sea, they could discern
nothing, but the island of Formosa, at least they believed it so to be.
They endeavoured to gain the shore; but in seven days time,
notwithstanding all their attempts, they could not reach it.

In the meantime, the ship was full of sick people, who were burnt up with
a deadly thirst; and they had all perished, without hope of succour, if
one of them, reflecting within himself, that Father Xavier had been
always prevalent with God, had not hinted this notion to the rest;
whereupon all of them coming on their knees before him, besought him,
with more tears than words, to obtain from heaven either wind or water
for them.

Xavier bade them address themselves to God in their own behalf; caused
them to recite the litany on their knees, at the foot of a large
crucifix; and then ordered them to retire, but to have confidence in
Jesus Christ. He himself withdrew also into a chamber; from whence coming
out some time after, he went down into the chalop with a little child,
and having caused him to taste of the sea water, asked him whether it
were fresh or salt? The child answering that it was salt, he commanded
him to taste again, and the child told him that it was fresh. Then the
Father, returning into the ship, ordered them to fill all their vessels;
but some amongst them, being eager to drink, found the water salt. The
saint made the sign of the cross over the vessels, and at the same moment
the water, losing its natural saltness, became so good, that they all
protested it was better than that of Bangar, of which the seamen make
their ordinary provision, and which is esteemed the best water in all the
Indies.

This miracle so