IN PERILS BY SEA. 
159 
began to use the same weapons in self-defence, 
and thus acquired a reputation for duplicity 
which was owing in great part to those who 
should have set an example of honesty and truth¬ 
fulness. 
The original state of the different tribes inhabit¬ 
ing Madagascar, as seen in the accounts of Drury 
and other writers, seems to have combined the 
patriarchal and feudal elements. A chief of cour¬ 
age, ability, and personal bravery would attract 
around him more followers than one of inferior 
qualifications; while a reverence for authority by 
hereditary right gave to all chieftains a claim 
upon the services of those connected with their 
clan. Practically a large amount of personal 
liberty seems to have been enjoyed, each warrior 
of the tribe having the right of free speech and 
expressing his opinions upon any measures pro¬ 
posed. This relic of earlier freedom survives in 
the kabdrys, or national assemblies, still called 
together by the sovereigns of Madagascar, where 
the right of free utterance is theoretically allowed, 
but which in many cases is of little avail against 
the modern arbitrary government, unless it is 
backed by a very general and strongly felt opinion 
amongst the people at large. 
The Malagasy possess no navy. They have 
lately acquired a small vessel, however, to act as 
a means of communication between the various 
