preserved the chaplet of Xavier, and feared not drowning while he held it
in his hand. The float of planks was hardly adrift upon the waves, when
he found he was transported out of himself, and believed he was at
Meliapor with Father Francis. Returning from his extacy, he was strangely
surprised to find himself on an unknown coast, and not to see about him
the companions of his fortunes, nor the planks to which he had entrusted
his life. He understood, from some people who casually came that way,
that it was the coast of Negapatan, and, in a transport mixed with joy
and amazement, he told them, in how miraculous a manner God had delivered
him from death.

Another Portuguese, by profession a soldier, called Jerome Fernandez de
Mendoza, received a considerable assistance from Xavier, in a different
manner, but full as marvellous. Fernandez, having put off from the coast
of Coromandel, in a ship belonging to him, wherein was all his wealth, to
go to another coast more westward, was taken near the cape of Comorin, by
the Malabar pirates, equally covetous and cruel. To save his life, in
losing his goods, he threw himself into the sea, and was happy enough, in
spite of his ill fortune, to swim to land, on the coast of Meliapor.
Meeting there Father Francis, he related his misfortune to him, and
begged an alms. The father was almost sorry, at that time, for his being
so poor himself, that he had not wherewithal to relieve the miserable
man; yet he put his hand into his pocket, as if he were searching there
for something, but finding nothing, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and
afterwards turning to Fernandez, with looks full of compassion, "have
courage, brother," said he to him, "heaven will provide for you." After
which, walking forward four or five paces, he once more put his hands
into his pockets, and pulled out fifty pieces of gold: "receive," added
he, "what heaven sends you; make use of it, but speak not of it." The
surprise and joy of Fernandez were so great, that it was impossible for