This generous answer wrought so much upon the captain, that, instead of doubling his solicitations on Father Xavier, he resolved to partake his fortune, and not to leave him. Having taken up this resolution, without farther care of what might happen to his ship, or what became of his own person, and accounting all his losses for a trifle while he enjoyed the company of Xavier, he returned indeed to his merchants, but it was only to declare to them the determination of the Father, and his own also; that in case they would not stay, he gave up his vessel to them. They were supplied with mariners and soldiers, and had plentiful provisions laid in, both of food and ammunition for war. They might go at their pleasure wheresoever they designed; but, for his own particular, he was resolved to live and die with the man of God. Not a man of them but subscribed to the opinion of the captain; and they were one and all for following his example, and the fortune of the saint. Suddenly they put into the port again, for the ship had lain off at a good distance, for fear of some attempt which might be made upon it from the town; soldiers were left for its defence, and the captain and merchants came in company to Fucheo. Their return gave new vigour to the Christians, and amazed the people, who could not but wonder that so poor a man should be had in such esteem by his countrymen, that they chose rather to run the hazard of their wealth, and of their lives, than to lose the sight of him. This prompt return broke all the measures of the Bonzas, whose courage had been swelled by the flight of Gama, which had given them the opportunity of making their cabals against the Christians; but when they found that those designs might possibly miscarry, and that, on the other side, they were again defied to a new conference on the subject of religion, they thought good to accommodate themselves a little to the times, and to renew the dispute betwixt Xavier and Fucarandono before the court. To seem beforehand with the Christians, they made it their own petition to the king, who freely-granted it, but on some conditions, which were to be observed on either side. These articles were,--"That noise was to be banished in dispute; no flying out to be permitted, nor any provocation by sharp language: That the arguments and answers were to be couched in precise terms, and drawn up in form of a just dispute, as it should be agreed by the judges, who were to moderate: That the approbation of the audience was to decide the victory: That if the point were doubtful betwixt them, the suffrages should be taken, and that he should be judged to have reason on his side who had the majority of voices: Lastly, That whoever was willing to enter himself a Christian, might profess his faith without hinderance or molestation from any man." These conditions were too reasonable to be accepted by the Bonzas. They appealed from the king to the king better informed, and told him boldly,