HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
373 
On the evening of the 4th of September, they reached a 
village about eight miles from the capital, when night 
coming on, some of the party preferred remaining until the 
following day; but Mr. Hastie, who had been absent from 
his family a considerable time, resolved upon proceeding at 
once to Tananarivo, and accordingly set out in the dark to 
travel on a dangerous path. In passing over a steep part 
of the road, his bearers slipped, and he was thrown for¬ 
ward. He fell on his head, and again injured his side. 
All these repeated accidents, Mr. Hastie sustained with 
extraordinary fortitude. His mind appeared to surmount 
all difficulties, and his characteristic energy triumphed 
beyond the measure of his physical strength. 
In the course of a few days he so far recovered his usual 
health, as to be able to ride out. He visited the several 
members of the Mission family, some of whom were at that 
time suffering under the Malagasy fever. Though unable 
to use his hand, it appeared to be healing rapidly; but on 
the evening of the 25th of September, having made two or 
three attempts to take off his coat without assistance, he 
renewed his efforts with so much exertion, as to cause an 
immediate return of the pain in his side. Inflammation of 
the liver succeeded, and his illness increased. He endea¬ 
voured to effect his recovery by taking such medicines as 
he deemed most suitable, but not succeeding in his first 
attempts, he took an additional quantity of calomel. His 
tongue and face became swollen, but no beneficial effects 
followed. On the 15th of October he became much worse. 
Messrs. Jones and Griffiths immediately went to him, and 
found him so much altered, that they could with difficulty 
comprehend his expressions. They remained with him 
night and day; the king also visited him frequently, and 
sent hourly messages of inquiry to his house. 
