106 
MADAGASCAR. 
tide of quinine in it as a preventive and neces¬ 
sary stomachic. The meal of the men consists 
merely of a good supply of boiled rice, and some 
herb which they have gathered in the woods 
(often common grass), and a few fish, with which 
these lakes abound. An awning is spread for 
the stranger, beneath which he partakes of his 
repast, which is rather more elaborate, and then 
he snatches a few minutes’ sleep during the 
enervating and almost overpowering heat of the 
day. And when we remember that the journey 
commences each day soon after four o’clock, this 
break will not appear unnecessary or out of 
place. About three o’clock in the afternoon all 
the party rouse themselves again and start on¬ 
ward ; and as the boat glides over the smooth 
surface of the sparkling waters, the rowers relieve 
the monotony of the way, and amuse themselves 
by racing with any canoes they may happen to 
be near, or exchange salutations with the crews 
of the numerous and heavily laden boats which 
are constantly passing up and down with pas¬ 
sengers, Government messengers, traders, or 
merchants’ wares. Now and then a stately Arab 
passes in his boat with a cold suspicious salu¬ 
tation, and a splendid and fully loaded rifle 
across his knees, with his hands always upon 
the lock. These men are not liked by the people, 
on account of their share in the slave-trade in 
