than his knowledge:  men listened to him as to the oracle of Japan, and an implicit faith was given to all he said.  The Bonzas of Fucheo were persuaded, that if they could bring him to the town, and set him up against Xavier, in presence of the court, they should soon recover their lost honour; such confidence they had of a certain victory over the European doctor.  On this account they writ to Fucarandono, with all the warmness of an earnest invitation, and sent him word.  “That if he would give himself the trouble of this little journey, to revenge the injury they had received, they would carry him back in triumph, on their shoulders, to his monastery.”

The Bonza, who was full as vain as he was learned, came speedily, attended by six Bonzas, all men of science, but his inferiors and scholars.  He entered the palace at that point of time when Xavier, and the Portuguese, had audience of the king, for their last farewell, being to embark the next morning.  Before the king had dismissed them, he was informed that Fucarandono desired to kiss his hand, in presence of the Portuguese Bonza.  At the name of Fucarandono the king was a little nonplused, and stood silent for some time, suspecting that he came to challenge Father Xavier to a disputation, and devising in himself some means of breaking off this troublesome affair, as he afterwards acknowledged.  For whatever good opinion he had of the saint’s abilities, yel he could not think him strong enough to encounter so formidable an adversary; and therefore, out of his kindness to him, was not willing to expose him to a disgrace in public.  Xavier, who perceived the king’s perplexity, and imagined from whence it might proceed, begged earnestly of his majesty to give the Bonza leave of entrance, and also free permission of speaking:  “for, as to what concerns me,” said the Father, “you need not give yourself the least disquiet:  the law I preach is no earthly science, taught in any of our universities, nor a human invention; it is a doctrine altogether heavenly, of which God himself is the only teacher.  Neither all the Bonzas of Japan, nor yet all the scholars extant in the world, can prevail against it, any more than the shadows of the night against the beams of the rising sun.”

The king, at the request of Xavier, gave entrance to the Bonza.  Fucarandono, after the three usual reverences to the king, seated himself by Xavier; and after he had fixed his eyes earnestly upon him, “I know not,” said he, with an overweaning look, “if thou knowest me; or, to speak more properly, if thou rememberest me.”  “I remember not,” said Xavier, “that I have ever seen you.”  Then the Bonza, breaking out into a forced laughter, and turning to his fellows, “I shall have but little difficulty in overcoming this companion, who has conversed with me a hundred times, and yet would make us believe he had never seen me.”  Then looking on Xavier, with a scornful smile, “Hast thou none of those goods yet remaining,”