THE GREAT NORTH-EAST. 
175 
but the name is given by some natives and 
Europeans to the town or citadel of the Hovas, 
called sometimes by the Hovas Vohimarina, and 
by the Sakalavas Antsingy. It is a fortress of the 
Hovas, built on the top of a mountain, which on 
all sides is defended by projecting and precipitous 
rocks from invasion. There are only three ways 
by which the top is reached, all of them exceed¬ 
ingly difficult. One is on the south, one on the 
west, and one on the east. I first ascended by 
that on the south side of the mountain. Just 
before coming to the top, the only means of 
getting up is a ladder of from 15 to 20 feet—- 
a favourite device of the Malagasy in all their 
fortified strongholds. Having mounted that, a 
plateau stretches itself out before you, on which 
is built a Sakalava town— i.e., the Sakalava por¬ 
tion of Antomboka. Higher up is the town of 
the civilians, and higher still is the residence of 
the governor, officers, and soldiers. This town 
is so naturally and almost invulnerably defended, 
that it forms the key of the whole north of 
Madagascar. The Hovas quite regard it in this 
light; so that while scarcely a hundred soldiers 
are stationed at Amboanio, quite a thousand are 
quartered at Antomboka. ” 
The Bay of Diego Suarez is beginning to be 
known as one of the finest in the world. It com¬ 
prises five large harbours, and is completely shel- 
