of Baranura and Rosalao, was not so deaf nor so rebellious to the voice
of the holy man. He found it all in arms, and the king of it besieged in
his town, ready to be surrendered, neither through want of courage, nor
of defendants, but of water; because the enemy had cut off the springs,
and there was no likelihood of rain; insomuch, that during the great
heats, both men and horses were in danger of perishing by thirst.

The opportunity appeared favourable to Father Xavier, for gaining the
vanquished party to Jesus Christ, and perhaps all the conquerors. Full of
a noble confidence in God, he found means to get into the town; and being
presented to the king, offered to supply him with what he most wanted.
"Suffer me," said he, "to erect a cross, and trust in the God, whom I
come to declare to you. He is the Lord and Governor of nature, who,
whenever he pleases, can open the fountains of heaven, and water the
earth. But, in case the rain should descend upon you, give me your
promise, to acknowledge his power, and that you, with your subjects, will
receive his law." In the extremity to which the king was then reduced, he
consented readily to the Father's conditions; and also obliged himself,
on the public faith, to keep his word, provided Xavier failed not on his
part of the promised blessing. Then Xavier causing a great cross to be
made, set it up, on the highest ground of all the town; and there, on his
knees, amongst a crowd of soldiers, and men, women, and children,
attracted by the novelty of the sight, as much as by the expected
succour, he offered to God the death of his only son, and prayed him, by
the merits of that crucified Saviour, who had poured out his blood for
the sake of all mankind, not to deny a little water, for the salvation of
an idolatrous people.

Scarcely had the saint begun his prayer, when the sky began to be
overcast with clouds; and by that time he had ended it, there fell down