ation of God's mercy
towards this merchant, who had been so charitable, and blessing the
memory of the holy apostle of the Indies.

This was not the only prophetical light, which Xavier had in the isle of
Sancian. A ship, which went from Macao to Japan, appeared in sight of
Sancian, to be overtaken by a dreadful hurricane. The Portuguese, who had
great concernments in that vessel, being alarmed at so inevitable a
danger, came running for comfort to Father Xavier; but the Father assured
them, they had no cause of fear, and that the ship was safely arrived at
her port. They kept themselves quiet, upon the assurance of his word,
till finding that the ship made no return, which was to stay at Japan but
some few days, they gave her for lost. Xavier reproved their want of
faith, and positively told them, that she should come back before the
week were ended. In effect, she returned two days afterwards, laden with
rich merchandizes, and proud of her escape from the fury of the
hurricane.

At the same time, Xavier was inspired with the knowledge of the quarrel
betwixt Don Alvarez de Atayda, governor of Malacca, and Don Bernard de
Sosa, who was newly arrived from the Moluccas; and told the circumstances
of it to the Portuguese, who, having afterwards the particulars of it
from some of Malacca, were astonished to find them the very same which
the Father had related.

This miraculous foreknowledge was accompanied by actions as surprising;
and without speaking of a dead infant, which Xavier restored to life, but
whose resurrection is without circumstances in the acts of the saint's
canonization, he cleared the country of the tygers, which laid it waste.
These furious beasts came in herds together out of the forests, and
devoured not only the children, but the men also, whom they found
scattered in the fields, and out of distance from the entrenchments which
were made for their defence. One night the servant of God went out to
meet the tygers, and when they came near him, he threw holy water upon
them, commanding them to go back, and never after to return. The
commandment had its full effect, the whole herd betook themselves to
flight, and from that time forward no tygers were ever seen upon the
island.

The joy which the Portuguese had conceived at the arrival of Father
Xavier, was immediately changed to sadness, when they understood that he
had only taken Sancian in his way to China. They all endeavoured to
dissuade him from i