22 
HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
who was strongly attached to his interest, thrown himself 
in the way, and thus given his own life to save that of his 
sovereign. Night put an end to the slaughter; and the 
French, under cover of darkness, made the best of their 
way to Fort Dauphin. Here they were safe from the 
attacks of the natives; who annoyed them, perhaps, more 
effectually, by withholding the usual supplies of provisions, 
and cutting off those which came from distant quarters. 
At this time a formidable army was again collected by 
Andrian Manango, around Fort Dauphin; and the presence 
of such a body of men would soon have reduced the garri¬ 
son to starvation, had not La Case found means to supply 
them with five thousand bullocks. 
Thus they were again saved from destruction by that 
extraordinary man, whose enterprises were so frequently 
crowned with success; nor is it easy to do justice to the 
prudence, courage, and presence of mind which distin¬ 
guished his conduct on every occasion. The fame of his 
successes recommended him so powerfully to the French 
East India Company, that, finding it expedient to employ 
him in their service, they sent him a lieutenant’s commis¬ 
sion, and made him a present of a sword, with congratula¬ 
tions on his fortunate career. For these marks of confidence 
and favour, La Case returned thanks to the Company; and 
pledged himself, that, if they would send him a force of 
two hundred Frenchmen, he would conquer the whole 
island, and establish the permanent authority of the French 
government in Madagascar. 
Whether La Case really possessed the means of accom¬ 
plishing this design must remain undecided, his offer being 
very properly rejected by the East India Company; but 
that his ambition had gained the mastery over the many 
generous and commendable traits of character he had pre- 
