32a VISITS TO MADAGASCAR. chap, xii, 



show us the way out of the river, and along the path to the 

 houses. I entered the house appropriated to our use about 

 seven in the evening, having been, with the exception of 

 two hours occupied by our breakfast, on the shoulders of 

 my bearers ever since seven in the morning ; and, had they 

 not been both skilful and strong, we could not have reached 

 this place on that night. One of the chiefs said, if I had any 

 spirituous liquor with me, it would be well to give some to 

 each of the bearers ; and, as my canteen contained a bottle of 

 brandy, which I found no occasion to use myself, I felt no 

 hesitation in giving a glass to each of the men. 



This place is a post station for relays of messengers for the 

 government, as well as a wood cutter's village ; and the chief, 

 a tall Hova officer, soon brought a present of rice, sweet 

 potatoes, and poultry, with a large supply of dry fuel. I 

 acknowledged his kindness, and assured him that, to give so 

 hospitable a welcome in such a place and at such an hour, 

 was indeed treating me like a friend. The chief part of the 

 poultry, together with the rice and potatoes, was given to the 

 men, who soon cooked their supper, and stretched themselves 

 on their mats. I was glad to sit by the bright blazing fire 

 while my own supper was prepared, and afterwards to write 

 up my journal for the day in the same comfortable place, for 

 the nights had now become quite cool. 



Fatigued as I was, my mind was greatly excited by the 

 scenes through which we had passed during the day. Ala- 

 mazaotra is one of the great forests of the island, or rather 

 part of the belt of forest, which, at nearly the same elevation, 

 is said to extend through the chief provinces of Madagascar. 

 It is said to be forty miles through ; but I did not think we 

 had travelled more than twenty-five miles during this day. 

 The forest appears to spread over the most unequal ground, 

 covering mountain ridges, steep precipices, and broad or 

 narrow valleys. Many of the trees are of stupendous mag^ 



