372 VISITS TO MADAGASCAE. chap. xiii. 



the neighbourhood of the capital, and the soldiers occupying 

 these encampments had been exercising during the former 

 part of the day in the plain we had left. Our way led us 

 near a number of small encampments. The tents were 

 formed of rofia cloth. The soldiers on duty in each encamp- 

 ment were called out, and saluted their young rulers as we 

 passed. The men wore the white cloth in native fashion 

 round their loins, with cross-belts, and cartouch boxes over 

 their naked shoulders, and were all armed with muskets and 

 bayonets. One of the officers told me there were 40,000 

 troops in the two encampments, and a company of artillery. 

 I saw, however, but a comparatively small number of the 

 soldiers. My friend pointed out to me again the place of 

 execution ; as well as the graves of Mr. Hastie, Mr. Tyerman, 

 and the members of the Mission families who had died at 

 the capital. The spot was surrounded by a small iron fence. 

 He also pointed out the former residences of the mission- 

 aries, with other places of interest. 



The sun had set when we entered the capital. At the 

 place where I had joined the procession I alighted, thanked 

 the prince and princess for the gratification they had afforded 

 me, and then proceeded to my own residence, which I reached 

 between six and seven o'clock, just as it was becoming dark. 

 In the evening two parties of friends from different parts 

 of the country came, and we continued in deeply interesting 

 conversation until a late hour. 



During the two succeeding days I saw numerous friends, 

 and many visitors, some from Vonizongo, where affliction has 

 been very severely felt. The immediate descendants and other 

 relatives of Eafaravavy were among the number. I had now 

 almost ceaseless applications for medicine, and was glad to com- 

 ply with as many requests as I covdd. One of my bearers from 

 Tamatave was a slave, and I was so much pleased with his 

 attention and general behaviour, that I told him I should be 



