He embarked for Amboyna the 1st of January, 1546, with John Deyro, in a
ship which was bound for the Isle of Banda. The captain of the vessel was
a Portuguese; the rest, as well mariners as soldiers, were Indians; all
of them almost of several countries, and the greatest part Mahometans, or
Gentiles. The saint converted them to Jesus Christ during the voyage; and
what convinced the infidels of the truth of Christianity, was, that when
Father Xavier expounded to them the mysteries of Christianity in one
tongue, they understood him severally, each in his own language, as if he
had spoken at once in many tongues.

They had been already six weeks at sea, without discovering Amboyna; the
pilot was of opinion they had passed it, and was in pain concerning it,
not knowing how to tack about, because they had a full fore-wind. Xavier
perceiving the trouble of the pilot, "Do not vex yourself," said he, "we
are yet in the Gulph; and to-morrow, at break of day, we shall be in view
of Amboyna." In effect, at the time mentioned, the next morning, they saw
that island. The pilot being unwilling to cast anchor, Father Xavier,
with some of the passengers, were put into a skiff, and the ship pursued
its course. When the skiff was almost ready to land, two light vessels of
pirates, which usually cruised on that coast, appeared on the sudden, and
pursued them swiftly. Not hoping any succour from the ship, which was
already at a great distance from them, and being also without defence,
they were forced to put off from shore, and ply their oars towards the
main sea, insomuch that the pirates soon lost sight of them. After they
had escaped the danger, they durst not make to land again, for fear the
two vessels should lie in wait to intercept them at their return. But the
Father assured the mariners, they had no further cause of fear: turning
therefore towards the island, they landed there in safety, on the 16th of
February.