CHAP. XVI. MEETING WITH FRENCH PRIESTS, ETC. 441 



Irihitra, where we halted for the uight in oue of the houses 

 which the friendly villagers vacated for our accommodation. 



The next morning was fine, and we started early. About 

 ten o'clock, when descending towards Beforana, we met a 

 number of travellers on their way up to Imerina; and on 

 inquiry I was informed that the principal personage was a 

 French doctor, from Reunion or Bourbon, proceeding to the 

 capital. He was accompanied b}' two other foreigners, one of 

 whom, I was afterwards told, was a Roman Catholic priest, 

 L'Abbe Jouan, superior of the Jesuit college at Bourbon, who 

 was accompanpng the doctor in the capacity of assistant. 

 Another priest, L'Abbe Webber, I was told, was accompanying 

 the doctor as pharmacien. The bearers travelled on tolerably 

 well -with two of the travellers; but the men bearing the 

 worthy superior, a somewhat portly figure, seemed to be 

 perspiring profusely under their burden ; and I could scarcely 

 imagine how, in such weather as we had had, they would 

 ever make their way along the forest roads. 



Shortly afterwards I met M. Soumagne, a French trader, 

 from whom I had received much kindness at Tamatave. He 

 was travelling to Antananarivo, for commercial purposes, in 

 company ^vith the sou of the late chief judge of the province 

 of Tamatave. The judge's son was followed by a large retinue, 

 including musicians, and dancers, and singing-women. A 

 large drum, carried on a pole between two men, was one of 

 the first portions of his baggage that we had passed. On 

 meeting, we each alighted ; and after conversing a short time, 

 M. Soumagne gave me the welcome tidings that he had letters 

 for me from England. After pursuing my journey for some 

 time, wq§ breakfasted at Beforona, where the chiefs who 

 accompanied me found those in charge of part of the luggage 

 belonging to the travellers we had passed ; and amongst them 

 the news from the coast and the capital was soon discussed. 



Before we set out again, a young chief, whom I had missed 



