While the saint was thus employed, there happened an affair, which much
increased his reputation in all the Indies. For the understanding of the
whole business, it will be necessary to trace it from its original.

Since the conquest of Malacca by the Portuguese, the neighbouring princes
grew jealous of their power, and made many attempts to drive that nation
out of the Indies, which came to brave them at their own doors.
Thereupon, they set on foot many great armies, at divers times, but
always unsuccessfully; and learning, by dear-bought experience, that
multitudes can hardly prevail against true valour.

These disgraces provoked the Sultan Alaradin, king of Achen, instead of
humbling him. Achen is the greatest kingdom of the island of Sumatra,
distant about twelve leagues from the _terra firma_ of Malacca. This
prince was a Mahometan, an implacable enemy of the Christians by his
religion, and of the Portuguese by interest of state. Yet he durst not
immediately assault the fortress of Malacca. All his fury was spent in
cruizing about the coasts, with a strong fleet, thereby to break the
trade of the Portuguese, and hinder the succours which they had from
Europe. His design was then to attack the town, when it should be bare of
defendants, and unprovided of stores of victuals: but to compass his
enterprize, he was to assure himself of a port, which was above Malacca
towards the north, which might serve for a convenient retreat to his
fleet; and had also occasion for a fortress, to secure himself from the
enemy. He therefore made himself master of that port, and ordered the
building of a citadel.

As for his preparations of war, he made them so secretly, that the
Portuguese had neither any news, nor even the least suspicion of them.
Five thousand soldiers, trained up in wars, and well-experienced in naval