HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
19 
self, his wives, and his slaves, in the province of Machi- 
cores, now known as Tsienimbalala. 
No sooner had Father Stephen become acquainted with 
the chieftain’s design and place of retreat, than, in defiance 
of the remonstrances of Chamargou and the advice of 
La Case, he rashly determined to follow him; and, accord¬ 
ingly, he commenced his crusade, invested with his sacer¬ 
dotal habit, and accompanied by a few attendants. 
After encountering many difficulties and suffering much 
fatigue, sufficient to have subdued a less determined zeal, 
he reached the chieftain’s residence during the first week 
in Lent, 1664. The chief, who advanced towards his for¬ 
mer friend without the least sign of alarm or indignation, 
with great urbanity requested Father Stephen to renounce 
his project; assuring him that he could not accede to his 
wishes of embracing the Christian faith. 
On this assurance, the monk, with the enthusiasm of a 
lunatic, rather than the sobriety of a messenger of the 
gospel of peace, seized the odies (the amulets worn by the 
chieftain as sacred things), dashed them insultingly into the 
fire, and then declared war against him. 
The result was such as might have been anticipated. 
The forbearance and moderation of the chief had hitherto 
been proof against the pertinacity of the monk; but such 
accumulated insults were no longer to be borne, and he 
ordered Father Stephen and his attendants to be massa¬ 
cred on the spot; at the same time swearing to effect 
the destruction of all the French in the island. In order to 
put this determination into execution, he sent his son, who 
had been baptised, to his brother-in-law, La Vautangue, for 
the purpose of inducing him to unite in breaking off the yoke 
of the French, whose designs they looked upon as directed 
to the subversion of the laws and usages of their country. 
c 2 
