e ground, but rather to contrive
the means of transporting it to Goa. Pereyra ordered a coffin to be made
of a precious wood, and after they had garnished it with rich China
damask, they put the corpse into it, wrapping it in cloth of gold, with a
pillow of brocard underneath the head. The coffin was afterwards bestowed
in a proper place, known only to the devoted friends of Father Xavier;
and it pleased the Almighty to declare, by a visible miracle, that their
zeal was acceptable to him: For a waxen taper, which they had lighted
up before the coffin, and which naturally must have burnt out within ten
hours, lasted eighteen days entire, burning day and night; and it was
observed, that the droppings of the wax weighed more than the taper
itself at the beginning.

In the mean time an occasion offered for the voyage of the Moluccas,
while they were waiting for an opportunity of passing to Goa. Beyra,
therefore, put to sea, more inflamed than ever with the zeal of souls;
and filled with a double portion of an apostolic spirit, which the sight
of the saint had inspired into him. But of the two companions which had
been assigned for the mission of the Moluccas, he left one behind him at
Malacca, to be a guardian of that holy treasure, and this was Emanuel
Pavora. Peter de Alcaceva at the same time returned from Japan, whither
he had been sent from Goa, for the affairs of that new Christianity.
And both of them, not long after, carried the holy corpse along with them
in the vessel of Lopez de Norogna.

The ship was so old and worn, and out of all repair, that none durst
venture to embark upon her. But when once it was divulged, that it was to
carry the corpse of Father Francis, every one made haste to get a corner
in her, not doubting but there they might be safe. And the passengers had
no cause to repent them of their confidence; for, in effect, God
delivered them, more than once, miraculously from shipwreck.

A furious tempest, almost at their first setting out, cast them upon
banks of sand, and the keel struck so far into it, that they could not
get her off; when, against all human appearances, the wind coming about,
and blowing full in their faces, disengaged the vessel; and, that it
might manifestly appear to be the hand of God, the blast ceased that very
moment when the keel was loosened from the sands.

Not long after, at the entry into the gulph of Ceylon, they struck
impetuously against some hidden shelves, the rud