FATHER JOHN DE BRITTO. 445
be locked up, and gave him orders to prepare for the torture. For three days the father tasted nothing but a little milk. On the eve of his death he wrote to Father Francis Laynez, the superior of the mission; a straw served for his pen, whilst his ink consisted of powdered coal moistened with his spittle. We give his letter, which has been preserved as a precious treasure. Father De Britto intended to address it to all the missionaries, through their common superior. ‘“‘My dear Father Superior, and all you, my dear brethren in Jesus Christ, peace in our Lord ! “Canajen, our catechist, will have informed you of all that has happened to me since my arrest. On the 28th of January I was brought to the tribunal of the Regulo, and sentenced to death. I was condemned to be shot, and was led to the place of execution; the soldiers were on the point of firing, when the Regulo, fearing a disturbance, sent me back to prison; three days later I was separated from my companions, those glorious confessors of Jesus Christ, and was sent by the prince to his brother Ouriardeven, for him to put me to death. I reached his palace on the last day of January. I suffered extremely on the journey. I have been brought to the tribunal of this prince, and am now momentarily expecting death for my God and for my Saviour ; this has ever been the sole object of my desires in my vocation to the Indies. How happy I am to find it at last after all my prayers and toils: what glory will it not ensure me! The only crime I am accused of is, that of having taught the law
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