138 
HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR 
tinued, he was amused with such pastimes as the court 
afforded, consisting chiefly of bull-fights. 
Amidst the dreadful fatality which took place amongst 
his people soon after their arrival, his own health, however, 
failed; and then it was that Radama shewed the most kind 
and assiduous attentions. Fearing he might fall a victim 
to the fever which was carrying off so many of his associates, 
Le Sage made all possible arrangements with Radama, in 
anticipation of his own death. The presents he had taken 
with him were consequently delivered in private; and 
though they would, under other circumstances, have been 
highly gratifying to the Malagasy prince, yet such was his 
anxiety for the life of his guest, that his joy was greatly 
damped; and he remained almost constantly by his bed-side, 
with the same earnest watchfulness he evinced before the 
costly gifts were presented. 
To the whole of the party, who, many of them, suffered 
fatally, the kindest attentions were shewn, even during the 
time when their leader was insensible both to their state 
and his own; nor was he then deserted by the royal family, 
who were constantly, four of them at a time, in attendance 
in his room. 
On leaving the capital to return to Tamatave, Le Sage 
was accompanied by Radama, on foot, for the distance of 
three or four miles; and it was not until they had proceeded 
forty miles, that the other members of the royal family, 
wdio had escorted his party thus far, left them to pursue the 
remainder of their way. 
Few princes have ever evinced more good faith and 
honourable feeling, in their transactions with strangers, than 
this monarch of a barbarous country; and such were the 
best features in his character, that it is difficult to believe 
he was, at the same time, addicted to the absurd and super- 
