252 
HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
In the autumn of this year, Radamawas so far encouraged 
by the improved discipline of his troops, as to turn his 
thoughts to the further prosecution of the war with the 
Sakalavas. For this purpose a kabary was held in Andoholo, 
at which forty or fifty thousand persons were present. It 
was then resolved to renew the hostilities, and that every 
man capable of carrying arms should go to war, or pay a 
forfeit of ten dollars. 
Preparations for this purpose were made during the 
rainy season, and early in the ensuing spring the people 
were ready to commence the expedition. Including a thou¬ 
sand disciplined troops, with slaves and attendants, the whole 
aggregate amounted to seventy or eighty thousand; and 
with this formidable body the king set out in June. On the 
twenty-third of that month, about five hundred heads of the 
people from different districts, assembled in the court-yard of 
the palace, bearing their shields and spears, assuring their 
monarch of their fidelity in the approaching war, and betting 
wagers from five dollars to a thousand—the coward to pay 
the brave. The king stood at the door of his palace, holding 
his spear and shield, exciting the ardour of his people by 
his actions and addresses, prompting them to bet high, and 
promising to confer his greatest honours on the brave, and 
to reward them with nine dollars for every head of the enemy; 
at the same time representing the Sakaiava country as 
abounding in cattle, where abundance of booty might be 
obtained. 
At break of day, on the 24th, cannon were fired as the 
signal of departure. The king, acting as priest as well as 
general, sacrificed a cock and a heifer, and offered a prayer 
at the tomb of Andria Masina, his most renowned ancestor. 
Then, mounting a car or chair covered with scarlet cloth, 
decorated with ornaments, and carried by bearers, he left 
