HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
251 
Nor was the triumph of Radama over the all-potent 
sikidy, (the divination of Madagascar), less gratifying and 
complete, when he learned by letters from Mr. Hastie, that 
he was about to return from Mauritius with the equivalent. 
From the time of Mr. Hastie’s departure from Tananarivo, 
the sikidy had frequently, in fact daily, assured the king, 
that the English would again act the same part as before, 
and never remit the promised supplies; but Radama, on 
hearing from his friend that he was actually coming as he 
had promised, evinced the most unfeigned delight, and 
denounced the sikidy for having so repeatedly predicted 
falsehoods. 
The people from the province of Ankay, called the 
Bezanozano, were sent off to Tamatave by the king’s 
directions to meet Mr. Hastie, and to carry up the equi¬ 
valent to the capital; and on account of this service, which 
was now appointed them as a regular duty, they were to 
be permanently exempted from going to war. 
In due time, the British agent arrived at Tamatave with 
the articles which in the treaty for the abolition of the slave- 
trade he had engaged, on behalf of the British government, 
should be furnished. According to the instructions of the 
king, they were conveyed to the capital, where Mr. Hastie 
received the most cordial welcome from Radama, whose 
confidence in the British government was not only com¬ 
pletely restored, but his just opinion of the fidelity, enter¬ 
prise, and perseverance of his long-tried friend abundantly 
confirmed; while he felt himself bound by this proof of the 
integrity of the British, to exercise the utmost vigilance 
in fulfilling his part of the engagement, preventing any 
infraction of the treaty by the people, and encouraging 
them to the most industrious use of the means of improve¬ 
ment now secured. 
