That people, whom the Turk used worse than ever, testified the same inclination under the government of Castro; and it was on that occasion that he sent a fleet towards the Strait of Mecca, under the command of his son Alvarez de Castro.  Eight foysts of Goa, full of soldiers, set out for the expedition of Aden.  Amongst these there was one very brave fellow, renowned for his military actions, but blackened with all sorts of crimes, and more infamous by his debauched manners, than known by his valour.  He seemed a kind of savage beast, who had no more of man in him than the bare figure, nor any thing of a Christian besides the name.  Above eighteen years he had abstained from confession; and that he once presented himself to the bishop of Goa, was less to reconcile himself to God, than to take off the imputation of being either a Mahometan or an idolater.

Father Xavier had cast an eye upon this wretch, and waited only an opportunity to labour in so difficult a conversion.  Understanding that this soldier was embarking on one of the foysts, which were going to join the fleet, he went out of the college of St Paul, at the first notice of it, taking nothing with him besides his breviary, and entered into the same vessel.  It was believed by those who saw the Father, that he had orders from the viceroy to accompany his son Alvarez; and every one was glad of it, excepting only he, for whose sake he came.  He drew near the soldier, and when they had weighed anchor, began to make acquaintance with him, and grew familiar to that degree, that the rest of the soldiers, who were less debauched, could not sufficiently admire it; and some of them said of Xavier, what a Pharisee said formerly of our Lord, “If this man were indeed a prophet, he would discern what manner of man he was, in whom he takes so much delight.”

These discourses did not at all daunt the Father.  He saw his soldier playing whole nights together, for he was a great gamester.  He took no notice of his extravagancies, and sometimes heard him swear without seeming to regard it.  Only one day he said to him, that gaming required a composed spirit, and if he took not the better heed, that passion, which he had in play, would make him lose.

The soldier, brutal as he was, grew insensibly to have a kindness for a man, who was so much concerned in his advantages, and took pleasure in hearing him discourse not only of war, and sea affairs, but also of religion and morality.  In conclusion, he made some reflections on the horror of his life, and felt even some remorse of conscience for it.  Being one day together with the Father, in a private part of the ship, Xavier asked him, to whom he had confessed himself before he went on shipboard?  “Ah Father,” said the soldier, “I have not been at confession these many years!” “And what do you imagine would become of you,” said the holy man, “supposing you should be killed in this action, and in the condition you now are?”