HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
385 
come, god is come.” The king sent to ask him what was 
his “ fady,” or religious observances, and what he was able 
to do. He replied, that everything unclean was forbidden; 
that he knew all secrets, and could disclose futurity. 
“ Well,” replied Radama, “ I am neither very clean, nor 
very dirty; can I approach you?” “Certainly,” replied 
the pretended discloser of secrets. “ Well, then,” said the 
king, “ there is a piece of gold buried near this house: 
we have searched for it, but cannot find it. Tell me where 
it is, and I shall believe your pretensions, that you are a 
god.” The poor fellow was reduced to a very painful 
dilemma. Trembling with fear, he fixed first upon one 
spot, and then another, but all in vain. Five or six places 
were tried without success. “ Ah ! ah !” said the king, “he 
is evidently an impostor. He is deceiving the people, and 
robbing them of their pence. Fetch a stick, and let him 
be beaten.” Some of his attendants instantly obeyed the 
command; and no art that he possessed, could save his per¬ 
son from the punishment. Having suffered as much as he 
could well bear, the king gave orders for him to be taken 
to Ambohipotsy, and there beheaded. He was immediately 
conducted towards the fatal spot, in full expectation of this 
melancholy fate. A second message was, however, de¬ 
spatched, as he drew near the place, for him to be put in 
irons, the first order having only been intended to frighten 
him out of his impostures. He was accordingly put in 
irons, and banished to Ambohibohazo, where he remained 
at work at the time of Radama’s death. 
This circumstance was related throughout the country, 
and tended to check the pernicious influence of similar 
impostors. 
On the 18th of February, 1828, the School Society held 
its first annual meeting, at which a report was read, stating 
2 c 
ii. 
