HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
221 
of the British agent, and the Missionary Mr. Jones. The 
letter was forwarded to Tananarivo by some of the king’s 
body-guard, the Tsirondahy, who had been friendly with 
Mr. Hastie during the king’s former visit; but the reply to 
this letter was not received until the party had reached 
Ambohitroina. Thus far they had proceeded under many 
apprehensions that they might meet a message from the 
king, refusing to receive them, and desiring them to return. 
That such would “ certainly ” be the case, had been often 
asserted by the traders on the coast, who not only endea¬ 
voured to dissuade them from attempting the journey to the 
capital, but to intercept them in their progress, after the 
journey was actually commenced. At Amboitroina, how¬ 
ever, Mr. Hastie received a letter from Radama, written in 
French Creole, and warmly encouraging him to come for¬ 
ward to Tananarivo. “ Come along,” said Radama, “ I 
shall receive you. Do not be afraid. I am glad that you 
are coming, my friend Mr. Hastie, to see me again. Come 
along, fear not. I am not so ready to cut off heads as 
people say I am.” 
Mr. Hastie was greatly encouraged by this honest 
expression of the king’s good feelings towards him, and 
almost lost in his present hopes all recollection of the 
difficulties which had been encountered; and he could not 
avoid regarding the letter as auguring favourably for the 
success of his important mission. No mention being made 
of Mr. Jones in the reply sent by Radama, although he had 
been informed that he travelled in company with Mr. Hastie, 
Mr. Jones thought it might be well for him to remain at 
the village until Mr. Hastie should have seen the king, and 
obtained either an express sanction for his going to the 
capital, or express orders for him to return to the coast. 
“ No,” said Mr. Hastie, “ come forward at once. If my 
