50 
MADAGASCAR. 
never really been completely subjugated, and 
they have constantly resisted the attempts of the 
Antananarivo Government to bring them into a 
position of obedience and servitude. The resist¬ 
ance of this tribe to any idea of submission has 
been unceasing; and although at one or two 
periods of their history the Hovas have effected 
a temporary lodgment upon their territory, they 
have in the end been driven off by force, or 
tempted to retire by specious promises which 
have never been performed. The Sakalava people 
are fierce, warlike, and nomadic in their manner 
of life. They dwell in forest villages, are rapid 
and panther-like in their movements, and are 
splendid shots with the rifle. Every Sakalava 
carries his gun, powder - horn, and supply of 
bullets. Whatever else he lacks, he retains his 
gun. It is his companion by night and day. 
Without it he is disgraced in the eyes of his 
family and fellow-men. He does not value money 
except that it will secure him a superior weapon, 
a refill of powder, or a fresh stock of bullets. 
And supposing he is well furnished from other 
sources with these—for instance, by the sale of 
his oxen—he does not scruple to beat out the 
surplus silver dollars of which he may happen to 
become possessed into broad plates for the decor¬ 
ation of his gun-stock or powder-horn. It was 
with these people that the French made treaties, 
