CHAP. XIII. EXCURSION INTO THE COUNTRY. 3.59 



In the forenoon of the following day three young officers 

 of the palace came to say that they had been appointed by the 

 queen to accompany me, should I wish to ride out into the 

 country. I thanked the queen, and said I should be glad to 

 accompany them in the afternoon. About two o'clock a mes- 

 senger came to say that the prince would accompany me, and 

 that the present was better than a later hour. A palanquin 

 with bearers was also provided for my use. 



I set out soon afterwards with the three young officers on 

 horseback. Many of the people appeared on the walls and 

 terraces of the houses as we passed along. Towards the 

 suburbs we overtook the prince, attended by a number of 

 officers, and surrounded by crowds of people. I alighted at 

 the place where he was standing, which was a high part of 

 the road, overlooking the large parade-ground towards the 

 west. A number of large cannons on wooden carriages were 

 ranged along the edge of the road. I saw by the marks they 

 Avere English guns. The greeting of the prince was cordial ; 

 and when he entered his palanquin he ordered the bearers of 

 mine to keep in advance, but his o\Ya palanquin was soon 

 alongside, and whenever the road was sufficiently mde we 

 were near enough to converse with ease. 



We were altogether quite a large party. There were three 

 palanquins, a young chief belonging to the queen's family 

 being with the prince. There were also six officers on horse- 

 back, besides many on foot, with their attendants and the 

 bearers. We proceeded in a northerly direction, by Andohalo, 

 one of the places at which public assemblies are convened, and 

 past a spot where what was once a chapel is now a prison ; 

 and shortly afterwards turned to the westward, passing an 

 artificial lake or pond, with an island in the centre, and a 

 bridge or causeway connecting the island with the shore. In 

 the suburb we passed through a market, where the goods in 

 great variety were spread on the ground : and in about half 



