VOYAGE TO MADAGASCAR* 309 



** tion, he afked him why he had ceafed to 

 ** fend rice and oxen to the Ifle of France, 

 " The wars which I have had to carry on 

 ** againft the iflanders, faid Benyowfki, 

 ** have deprived^ and ft ill deprive me, of 

 " the provifione necelTary for my own 

 *' people. In fuch a fituation, how could I 

 ** fend f applies to the Ifle of France ? You 

 muft readily fee that it was impoffible* I 

 '* can with equal eafe juftify the wars I 

 ** have undertdken. I affemble a paiahrc^ 

 and propofe to the iflanders plans calcu- 

 lated to promote their advantage. They, 

 ** however, not only rcjed: them, but the 

 " chiefs have the infolence to threaten me, 

 *' They even do more : a fignal is given 

 ** for deftroying me \ feveral mufkets arc 

 *' difcharged at once ; and I efcape, almoft 

 *' miraculoufly^from this imminent danger. 

 *^ Being vigoroullyfupportedbymy foldiers, 

 *' I difperfe the multitude, and frighten thtm 

 X 3 by 



