Yet he refused not to admit him for his companion, in quality of a catechist, and carried him with him to Malacca:  for having continued four months at Meliapor, he parted thence in September 1545, notwithstanding the tears of the people, who were desirous of retaining him; and held the course of Malacca, designing from thence to pass to Macassar.

Before he went on board, he wrote to Father Paul de Camerine at Goa, that when the fathers of the society, who were daily expected from Portugal, should arrive, two of those new missioners should accompany the princes of Jafanatapan, whensoever the Portuguese should think fit to re-establish the lawful king.  For there was a report, that the expedition should be renewed, which a base interest had set aside.  But this project was not put in execution; and both the princes died, one after the other, in less than two years after their conversion, which was only profitable to their souls.  While the ship that carried Xavier was crossing the Gulph of Ceylon, an occasion of charity was offered to the saint, which he would not suffer to escape.  The mariners and soldiers passed their lime, according to their custom, in playing at cards.  Two soldiers set themselves to it, more out of avarice than pleasure, and one of them played with such ill fortune, that he lost not only all his own money, but the stock which others had put into his hands to traffic for them.  Having nothing more to lose, he withdrew, cursing his luck, and blaspheming God.  His despair prevailed so far over him, that he had thrown himself into the sea, or run upon the point of his sword, if he had not been prevented.  Xavier had notice of these his mad intentions and execrable behaviour, and immediately came to his relief.  He embraced him tenderly, and said all he could to comfort him; but the soldier, who was still in the transports of his fury, thrust him away, and forbore not even ill language to him.  Xavier stood recollected for some time, imploring God’s assistance and counsel; then went and borrowed fifty royals of a passenger, brought them to the soldier, and advised him once more to try his fortune.  At this the soldier took heart, and played so luckily, that he recovered all his losses with great advantage.  The saint, who looked on, took out of the overplus of the winnings, what he had borrowed for him; and seeing the gamester now returned to a calm temper, wrought upon him so successfully, that he, who before refused to hear him, was now overpowered by his discourse, never after handled cards, and became exemplary in his life.

They arrived at Malacca the 25th of September.  As this is one of those places in the Indies, where the saint, whose life I write, had most business, and whither he made many voyages, it will not be unprofitable to say somewhat of it.  It is situate beyond the gulph of Bengal, towards the head of that great peninsula, which, from the mouth of the Ara, is extended to the south, almost to the equinoctial line; and is of two degrees and a half of elevation, over against the island of Sumatra, which the ancients, who had not frequented this channel, believed to be joined to the continent.