HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
345 
to be struck, news was brought to Radama, that some cattle 
which had been seized by the Mainana were recovered, and 
that several persons, with the celebrated leader Triemano- 
sinamamy were made prisoners. This intelligence induced 
the king to defer his departure until the arrival of the 
detachment. Wishing to see so distinguished a heroine, 
Mr. Hastie accompanied the officers, who were sent with 
a message to the sorceress and her followers, one hundred 
and thirteen of whom, with two favourite chiefs, had been 
captured, the cattle having been found in their possession. 
This woman, who had attained great celebrity as a 
sorceress, was not more than thirty years of age, extremely 
unprepossessing in her appearance, and, far from awing 
the people into subjection by the majesty of her own 
person, she was short and fat, with woolly hair and a flat 
nose. On being asked some questions relative to her past 
conduct, she scrupled not to disclaim all that was laid to 
her charge, by the most daring falsehoods, concluding with 
the highest encomiums upon Radama’s character, accom¬ 
panied with many professions of submission, and promises 
of future allegiance. These were delivered in a strong 
firm voice, and echoed by the two young chieftains who 
shared her favour. 
On relating what had passed at this interview to the 
king, he remarked, that he had too many proofs of the bad 
conduct of this woman, to believe her report; and he then 
gave orders that the party who had the prisoners in charge 
should take such measures as would prevent any possibility 
of their escaping. These words were uttered with an 
emphasis, which left no question about their destined fate, 
which, according to the general opinion, was richly merited, 
by the number of instances in which the sorceress and her 
agents had induced ignorant and superstitious people to 
