HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
15 
Madagascar; bat the barrister himself, who was to under¬ 
take the charge of him to Nantz, having been unfortunately 
inveigled into a gaming-house, was kidnapped instead of 
his brother, who by paying a sum of money was suffered 
to escape. 
To this gentleman Kercadio applied, and begged him to 
use his influence in making the governor sensible of his base¬ 
ness and folly; and what the eloquence of the barrister might 
have failed to effect, was very easily accomplished by the use 
he made of his personal interest with Marshal Meilleraye, 
whose name, at that period, possessed great influence in 
France. Struck with terror at the threat of having his 
conduct represented to the Marshal, Chamargou became 
at once humble and submissive, entreating Kercadio, in the 
most abject manner, to forgive his obstinacy, and to assist 
in effecting a reconciliation between himself and La Case. 
The captain and the barrister accordingly set out for the 
province of Ambolo, and soon completed their negociations 
with the generous La Case; who, consigning to oblivion 
the injuries he had received from the governor, solicited 
permission from his consort and the combined chiefs to go 
to the relief of his countrymen at the fort. This reconcilia¬ 
tion was followed by the blessings of peace and abundance. 
Far from imitating so noble an example, and influenced 
only by his own fears, the governor, during the stay of 
La Case and his consort at the Fort, betrayed many symp¬ 
toms of the hatred and jealousy still rankling in his breast. 
La Case, by his intimate knowledge of the character of the 
Malagasy, as well as by his natural friendliness of disposi¬ 
tion, soon effected a favourable change in the state of the 
colony; but the affairs of the province of Ambolo requiring 
his attention, and Andrian Nong being anxious to return to 
her own people, they again left the Fort, though earnestly 
