own reason; and therefore the father acquiesced in the decrees of that
Providence, which has fixed the times and revolutions for the conversion
of infidels and sinners.

Having left Melinda, where they continued but few days, and still
coasting Africa, they cast anchor at Socotora, which is beyond Cape
Guardafu, and over against the Strait of Mecca. The Moors of that country
call it the Isle of Amazons; and the reason they allege is, because it is
governed by women. The inhabitants believe their isle to be the earthly
paradise; which notwithstanding, there is scarcely to be found in all the
world, a spot of ground less deserving that glorious title. The air is in
a perpetual sultry heat, the soil is dry and barren, and, excepting only
for the aoes which is there produced, and is indeed the best which grows
in those eastern parts, even the name of Socotora would not be mentioned.
It is not certainly known what religion they profess, so monstrous is
their belief. They hold from the Saracens the worship of Mahomet, from
the Jews the use of circumcision and sacrifices, and yet give themselves
the name of Christians. The males bear the name of some or other of the
apostles, the most part of the women are called Mary, and yet they have
no knowledge of baptism. They adore the cross, and hang it in little
about their necks. They chiefly venerate St Thomas; and it is an ancient
tradition amongst them, that this holy apostle, in going to the Indies,
was cast by a tempest on their coast; that being come ashore, he preached
Jesus Christ to those of Socotora; and that from the wreck of that ship
which brought him thither, they built a chapel in the middle of their
island.

The condition of these islanders sensibly afflicted Father Xavier; yet he
despaired not of reducing them to a right understanding of the faith,
because, as barbarous as they were, they still preserved some footsteps