348 
HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
of the persons who had witnessed the execution of the 
slave-boy prophet, testified that the report she made of the 
wounds was correct. She had no difficulty after that, in 
getting herself installed as leader of the people; though 
she was sufficiently aware of her perilous situation, to 
see the expediency of permitting Rabevola, and another 
chief, to appear to share with her in the government; and 
several petty chieftains, who afterwards joined the people 
under her sway, were allowed to form their parties, and 
enjoy all the privileges of royalty within their respective 
divisions, by which means she retained her popularity 
with all, and exercised, without opposition, all the pre¬ 
rogatives of a princess. 
When the army of Radama arrived within sight of a 
well-known mountain situated about three days’ journey 
from Imerina, the most striking characteristic of the Hovas 
began to be displayed. The idea that Radama would 
proceed to St. Augustine’s Bay, had occasioned many to 
look with melancholy faces towards a land in which they 
apprehended a scarcity of rice; but no sooner was this 
mountain recognized, than the most unequivocal expres¬ 
sions of joy announced the pleasing expectations with which 
they looked forward to their native homes. 
On the 26th of October, the army entered the district 
of Vonizongo, a populous country, where about one-fourth 
of the people profess to be able to trace their descent from 
the nobility; and as it has long been considered that a 
man of noble blood would dishonour his rank, were he to 
labour, or even resort to any industrious pursuit as an 
amusement, Radama adopted the plan of drawing more 
soldiers from this district than from any other; observing, 
that such policy would tend to fill his ranks at the time 
supplies of men were wanted, and finally induce the titled 
