HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
333 
terized by the same rude defiance. He assured the British 
agent, that he was unacquainted with his means, the number 
of his adherents, and the extent of his arms and ammu¬ 
nition, and, as if to inspire a greater degree of awe, he 
ordered a cannon to be fired, while he himself remained 
seated on a sort of high stool, cut out of solid block, with a 
cask of powder on his right, several large horns filled with 
the same around him, a number of small baskets of horns 
and flints strewed on the ground, and his attendants all 
armed with muskets, spears, or with bows and barbed 
arrows. He had demanded that Mr. Hastie should stop 
the progress of Radama’s party for a stipulated number of 
days; but on being now told that this could not be done, 
and that the king was already approaching, he exclaimed, 
44 Then Iladama will find me here.” At this moment, by 
his desire, his attendants danced round Mr. Hastie in sham 
fight, uttering menacing yells, and drawing their bow¬ 
strings to the utmost extent. On a signal given by the 
chief, this farce was discontinued, and in a high tone he 
repeated, 44 Radama will find me here under this tamarind 
tree, which you yourself could as easily remove, as Radama 
could change me.” 
Mr. Hastie again remonstrated with the chief, upon the 
absurdity of his resistance, and, on the nearer approach of 
Radama’s forces, exerted himself with both parties to avert 
the impending doom of the obstinate old man, who still 
persisted in saying 44 that he was prepared, and would not 
submit.” Mr. Hastie left him at last anticipating the result, 
for the king’s soldiers now approached. Time was, however, 
given to the chief, even yet, to make concessions; but on 
being asked again if he would submit, he firmly answered, 
44 Noafter which the soldiers speedily put an end to his 
existence. 
