VISIT TO THE COURT OF THE HOVAS. 121 
may be lacking in the commissariat department, 
or of making good any damages which the baggage 
or palanquin may meet with in crossing the rivers 
or scaling the ravines which intersect the road at 
frequent intervals for the whole of its length. 
The first few miles of the land journey after 
quitting Maromby are most refreshing and en¬ 
joyable. The fresh keen air on the rising ground 
begins at once to invigorate and stimulate the 
depressed spirits of the travellers, who have been 
enfeebled and distressed by the fetid atmosphere 
and warm damp air of the lakes and marshes 
along which they have been passing for some 
days. The broad grassy pampas or undulating 
plains on the way to the first halting-place, 
Ranomafana (hot-water springs), are well adapted 
for the indulgence in that favourite recreation 
of the maromita , a filanjdna race. Utterly heed¬ 
less of the incipient terror depicted in the faces 
of their trembling burdens, they dash along at 
break-neck speed, over hill and dale, and through 
the smaller streams, with shouts and peals of 
ringing laughter, until thoroughly wearied out 
by the violence of their fun. There is really no 
danger, as these fellows are as sure-footed as the 
chamois-goat itself, and with their naked feet 
they will climb the sides of steep rocky passes 
or slippery slopes of clay with the most perfect 
certainty and coolness. 
