256 
HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
On the king’s return with the people, they rested a few 
miles west of Tananarivo. There Radama and all his fol¬ 
lowers bathed, as a religious ablution on returning from the 
war; after which the king proceeded in pomp to Tanana¬ 
rivo, and alighted on the holy stone at Andohalo, The 
idols were then brought to bless him; and a bullock brought 
to secure benedictions on the people, and indemnify and 
purify them from all blame. The king recapitulated, briefly, 
the events of the expedition; and praised those who had 
been left in charge of affairs at home, for their fidelity and 
attention; nor were the females permitted to go unre¬ 
warded with thanks, for able performances in singing the 
war-songs, and thereby contributing, as was supposed, to 
whatever measure of success had attended the expedition. 
