204 VISITS TO MADAGASCAR cuap. viii. 



different parts of the y/alls. The cooking-place was gene- 

 rally in a low shed outside. 



In the evening the people assembled in considerable num- 

 bers for public worship. Many of the men remained for 

 friendly conference with the missionary until a late hour. 

 After we had retired for the night, we were disturbed by 

 the loud barking of the dogs, who had found in one of the 

 gardens a porcupine, which they killed. 



Soon after daybreak the next morning we took leave of 

 our friends. Eight or nine of the men accompanied us on 

 horseback for several miles, when we all alighted, and after a 

 hearty farewell we resumed our journey, and they returned 

 to their homes. 



The members of this interesting community, and there 

 were about forty families, both men and women, were all a 

 few years ago slaves. In this condition, however, they had 

 received religious instruction, and had become Christian men 

 and women. Slavery had made them familiar with labour, 

 and this has proved their great advantage. When emanci- 

 pated, their labour soon brought its return. Christianity 

 taught them prudence in the use of their earnings, and thus 

 they were soon able to buy a few goats, or sheep and oxen. 

 Two or three years ago, eighteen of them, led by the mis- 

 sionary, united in renting this farm of 8000 acres. The 

 cultivation of the farm enabled them to pay the rent punctu- 

 ally ; and a year ago they entered, before the constituted 

 authorities, into a legal agreement to pvirchase it for 4000^., 

 to be paid by instalments with six per cent, interest. One 

 thousand pounds was to be paid in the month of November 

 after our visit, and Mr. Anderson said he had no doubt that 

 the money would be all ready by the specified time. Every 

 one of the landowners possesses a team of oxen, and all but one 

 a waggon. They possess, moreover, a large number of horses, 

 .besides cows, sheep, and goats. They have divided the land 



