100 
MADAGASCAR. 
who has, however, to accept the inevitable with 
the best grace he can, and proceed on the initial 
step of his first journey in the new country, 
haunted by the humiliating consciousness that 
he has been outwitted by the dark-skinned and 
unclad, but clear-headed and good-tempered 
barbarians, who trot cheerfully by his side, and 
whom he has previously been disposed, perhaps, 
to despise. But these men, although keen 
enough in making contracts, are, as a rule, 
thoroughly honest, and true to the terms of 
agreement when once made. They are faithful 
to their temporary masters, and render them all 
kinds of little services outside the usual duties of 
a marowita. To ladies and children they are 
especially well-mannered ; and it is very pleasant 
to see a rough sturdy fellow come up to the side 
of the Jilanjdna of some fever-worn and weary 
lady on the journey down from Im^rina, and hand 
in a magnificent bouquet of orchids and lady- 
fern, which he has gathered along the forest paths, 
with all the grace and courtesy of a high-born 
gentleman. Goods or money intrusted to them 
are always safe; and a poor native will travel 
hundreds of miles of trackless country with a 
parcel of specie or other valuables without any 
danger of the loss of the property, so careful are 
they in the carriage and disposal of it during an 
occasional rest or stoppage for refreshment. 
