A WELCOME REST 305 



the others, who were some way behind, had to go farther down 

 the river in the canoes, and consequently had three or four 

 hours' paddling in the glowing afternoon sun, which we who 

 took the land journey avoided. 



Marovoay is situated on the north-east bank of a small river, 

 which we had to cross by a canoe. Nearly a dozen dhows were 

 either anchored in the stream or aground on mud-banks, giving 

 the place the aspect of a small fishing town. The lower town, 

 with perhaps two hundred houses, was chiefly occupied by Arab 

 and Indian traders, their stores and warehouses lining the main 

 street through which we passed. The Hova town and govern- 

 ment compound (rova) was on a low hill, rising abruptly from 

 the level to the height of eighty or a hundred feet. Coming up 

 to the gate of the rdva, we stopped to rest and sent word of our 

 arrival to the governor. While we were waiting, one of our 

 men thoughtfully got us a coffee-pot full of rdnom-pdry (sugar- 

 cane juice), and never did nectar taste more delicious than that 

 as we took repeated " pulls " at it after our walk across the rice- 

 fields in the glowing sunshine. 



Presently we were invited to enter, the governor coming out 

 to meet us, and brought us into his house, a rather smartly 

 furnished place of one large room, but with a wide gallery all 

 round it. Here we were glad to rest after our hot voyage and 

 walk, and enjoyed an excellent cup of coffee, which they kindly 

 made for us, as well as some of Huntley & Palmer's "best 

 mixed biscuits." We felt as if we were getting back into a 

 civilised land again ! After a little while we moved into the 

 chapel, which was also within the rova; this was a large building, 

 and looked quite gay, from being completely papered with good 

 wall-paper, but badly laid on, for the native workman evidently 

 thought that the white edging to each piece was a part of the 

 pattern, and so had carefully left it visible in every case ! The 

 wooden posts of the roof were all papered too. The pulpit was a 

 curious example of its kind, being made of lattice-work, gaily 

 painted, with a number of small looking-glasses let into its 

 front, and backed by wall-paper. It had a flat canopy or sound- 

 ing board and a large door, so it was like a little room of itself. 

 With its numerous doors and windows there was a beautiful 

 breeze through the building, and we anticipated a comfortable 

 night, but, alas ! our hopes were not realised, for the heat was 

 u 



