436 
HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
aster, and peril. About a fortnight after leaving the capital, 
the bearers employed to carry the Missionary, his family, 
and luggage, fled without a moment’s warning, having been 
alarmed by intelligence of the attack of the French on the 
town of Tamatave, and the retreat of Prince Corroller and 
the native troops. After a fortnight of very distressing 
anxiety and alarm, spent in moving from one village to 
another, as reports of the advance or retreat of the French 
were received, and the almost utter impossibility of obtain¬ 
ing bearers to carry them forward, they moved on towards 
the coast, and at length reached Tamatave on the 
evening of the 29th of October. Here, though every 
place bore the aspect of desolation, Mr. Freeman was 
thankful to find a small vessel, called the Radama, em¬ 
ployed in trading between Madagascar and Mauritius; 
and although the captain, taking advantage of his circum¬ 
stances, demanded an exorbitant sum for his passage, he 
deemed it his duty to leave the island by the means of 
safety thus provided. On the morning of the 31st of 
October, the report of distant cannon in a northerly direc¬ 
tion was distinctly heard, and was supposed to be the attack 
of the French upon Foule Point. On the following day, 
Mr. F. and his family embarked on board the Radama, then 
at anchor in the roads. On the evening of the Sd of 
November, his infant son, who had taken the fever on 
approaching the coast, and had been gradually sinking 
under its influence, silently expired. This new trial, in 
itself deeply afflicting to the sorrowing parents, was ren¬ 
dered more distressing by their peculiar circumstances. 
A rough coffin was prepared by the carpenter on board the 
ship, and an opportunity sought to convey the corpse to 
the shore. This was attempted in the afternoon of the 
same day, when a landing was effected, without molestation 
