der flying off with the
fury of the stroke, the keel stuck fast within the rock; and it was a
miracle that the vessel, being so crazy, did not split asunder. The
mariners did that on this occasion, which is commonly put in practice in
extremity of danger: They cut the masts with their hatchets, but that
being of no effect, they were going to throw all their lading overboard,
to ease the ship; but the fury of the waves, which beat upon her on every
side, and outrageously tossed her, suffered them not to perform what they
desired. Then they had their last recourse to the intercession of that
saint, whose corpse they carried. Having drawn it out of the pilot's
cabin, they fell on their knees about it with lighted flambeaux; and,
as if Father Xavier had been yet living, and that he had beheld and heard
them, they begged succour of him from that eminent destruction.

Their prayer was scarcely ended, when they heard a rumbling noise from
underneath the vessel; and at the same time, perceived her following her
course in open sea: from whence they concluded, that the rock was cleft
in pieces, and had left a free passage for the ship.

They pursued their voyage cheerfully; and turning towards the cape of
Comorine, landed at Cochin. The whole city came to pay their last duty to
their instructor and beloved Father; and it is incredible what
demonstrations of piety the people gave. From Cochin they set sail for
Baticula. The wife of Antonio Rodriguez, one of the king's officers, who
had long been sick, was in hope to recover, if she could see Father
Francis. She caused herself to be carried to the ship, and at the sight
of the dead saint, was restored to her health at the same moment. Not
satisfied with this, she was desirous to have a little piece of the cope,
with which the Father was habited; and it is wonderful what cures she
effected by that precious relique.

The ship being now within twenty leagues of Goa, and being unable to make
any farther way, because of the contrary winds, the captain went into the
chalop, with some of his people, and got to the town by the help of oars,
that himself might have the honour of bearing the first news to the
viceroy, and the Fathers of the Society, that the blessed corpse was
coming to them. Father Caspar Barzaeus was already dead, and Father
Melchior Nugnez declared his successor in his two offices, of rector of
the college, and vice-provincial of the Indies, in virtue of the letter
whic