CHAP. XVI. NIGHT SPENT AT AMBATOMANGA. 435 



consideration, for the spacious enclosed court in front of the 

 house was half filled with carefully-constructed tombs of stone, 

 some of them of large dimensions ; and I was told these were 

 the tombs of the family. 



Soon after noon we resumed our journey, reached Ambato- 

 manga, and, passing over the deep fosses, and along the edge 

 of a sunken cattle-fold, which is always within the defences, 

 and the fahitra, or pens for fattening cattle, I alighted at the 

 door of the house I had formerly occupied, and received a 

 cordial welcome from its inmates. 



In the evening friends from the capital arrived, some bring- 

 ing with them letters and other documents, others coming only 

 that we might spend another evening together. With these 

 friends I had deeply interesting and important conversation, 

 and I endeavoured to give some useful information on matters 

 Avhich they had previously mentioned, and on which they 

 were anxious to have my most matured opinions. The next 

 morning I parted with them, under deep solicitude, but with 

 much affection ; and sending messages to those I had left 

 behind, I left the romantic feudal-looking village of Ambato- 

 manga and continued my journey. 



In the evening of the following day we reached the first 

 village in Ankay. Descending by the mountain road on 

 the western side of the extensive and fertile valley east of 

 Angavo, we reached the village of Prince Eamonja in the fore- 

 noon of the next day. I was received with the same tokens 

 of hospitality and kindness as had been shown when I had 

 halted there on my way to Imerina. The servants of the 

 prince brought presents, &c. A bullock was killed by his 

 orders, and distributed amongst the people who were with me. 

 His aged and venerable nurse was as lavish in her expressions 

 of joy that I had seen the prince as she had been in her anti- 

 cipation of the pleasure he would experience on m}^ arrival. 

 After remaining with these friendly retainers of the prince until 



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