HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
143 
Nor was the kind feeling of Fisatra towards the Mis¬ 
sionaries exhibited only in these instances of confidence 
and esteem. When Messrs. Be van and Jones were attacked 
with the fever of the country, to which Mr. Bevan and his 
wife both fell victims, the chief and his people repaired to 
the place, and, during such a deluge of rain as prevented 
the attendance of any European, there dug a grave, and 
performed the last act of kindness for the deceased. In 
about a month from that time the same melancholy duty 
was performed in the same manner for Mrs. Jones; and 
towards their survivor Mr. Jones every kindness and atten¬ 
tion was shewn by the barbarian chief and his wife, who 
sent their own physician and a nurse to wait upon him, 
and supplied him with every comfort their means afforded. 
When the French commenced a settlement at Tamatave, 
under Sylvan Roux, Fisatra had been established by him 
at Ivondrona as chieftain of Betsimisaraka and Betanimena; 
Mons. Roux having supplied him with arms and ammuni¬ 
tion, to subdue under his authority and influence all the 
petty chiefs in these districts, and, associated with his 
brother Jean Rene, he had extended his conquests in 1816 
as far as the borders of the great forest which separates 
Ankay from Betanimena. He had, however, committed an 
unpardonable offence against Radama, by calling him a 
beardless boy, which induced that prince to invade his 
dominions in the following year, at the head of 40,000 
Hovahs. Fisatra fled from the impending storm to the 
island of Prunes, opposite the harbour of Tamatave; and 
there happening to be an English frigate at that time in the 
harbour, a check was given to the operation of Radama’s 
vengeance, which had threatened the destruction both of 
Fisatra and his brother Jean Rene. 
