218 
HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
understand the superiority of a disciplined army, though 
still far from enjoying the full benefit of that superiority 
in his own. 
It has already been stated, that in the year 1816, a few 
European troops had been sent up to Tamatave with the 
view of exhibiting to Radama a specimen of European 
discipline, and that he had adopted the system as the means 
of establishing his supremacy over all the other chieftains of 
the island. 
In the month of February, 1820, a large kabary was held 
during two days at Antsahatsiroa, at which about twenty 
thousand persons attended. The object was to consult on 
the expediency of commencing a war on Menabe, to whose 
chieftain Imamo had been long tributary, even during the 
reign of the bold, enterprising, and successful Impoim- 
imerina, father of Radama. It was resolved at this kabary 
to undertake the war, that those of the people sent to it, 
who had had the fever, should set out immediately, as less 
likely to suffer a relapse than by remaining later; and that 
the rest should remain until after the annual festival, when 
the danger of fever would be diminished. 
By the end of the month, a considerable force was sent 
off* under the command of Mons. Robin ; and shortly after¬ 
wards some of the Sakalavas arrived at the capital, to tender 
their submission to the king. So far the aspect of affairs 
was encouraging to the ambitious monarch, but the war¬ 
riors in the end returned with fewer honours than he had 
expected them to reap. News arrived at Tananarivo that 
the soldiers had run away; and the unwelcome intelligence 
was but too soon confirmed, by the actual arrival of the 
fugitives and their leader, who, having found himself de¬ 
serted, prudently thought it best to escape with the rest.— 
Although these unfavourable circumstances were calcu- 
