CHAP. VII. PREPAKATIONS FOR LEAVING THE ISLAND. 189 



in the morning, when we arose, — for the Malagasy, like all in- 

 habitants of warm climates, are early risers, and by half-past 

 five we again set out upon our journey. In three hours more 

 I was set down at the door of my house at Tamatave, grateful 

 for the safety I had experienced, and for the pleasure the 

 journey had afforded. 



On inquiring soon afterwards of the owner of the vessel by 

 which I purposed to return to Mauritius, when it would be 

 likely to sail, I was informed that the period of quarantine on 

 account of the cholera had been shortened, and that the ship 

 would sail in two days. 



On the second day after receiving this intelligence, my 

 luggage and plants were all conveyed on board the vessel, 

 and having taken leave of my friends and received much 

 kindness from the people, I proceeded to the ship early on 

 the morning of the 13th of September. When I reached the 

 " Castro," — for that was the name of the vessel, — the captain 

 informed me that he should not put to sea until daylight the 

 next morning. I therefore gladly returned to the shore to 

 spend another quiet day amongst the people. 



In the afternoon of this day, my tall friend whom I had 

 left at Mahavelona arrived, having been informed by a mes- 

 senger of my expected departure. He, with a number of others, 

 assembled at my house in the evening, and we passed the 

 time together under a deep impression of the improbability 

 of our ever meeting again in th^ present life. At a late hour 

 four of the company sent for their mats, and spread them on 

 the floor of my room, while a neighbouring chief whom I had 

 known in England sent his wife and two slaves over to my 

 house with various articles of bedding for me durino- the 

 night, as he knew that my own were all on board. Shortly 

 after midnight my friends lay down on the floor, and I 

 stretched myself on my bed, telling them to wake me at four 

 in the morning. They still continued talking, however, and 



