202 
MADAGASCAR. 
ling in the branches, will utter a startled cry, and 
flee from the presence of the swarthy invaders, 
who press on, however, heedless of all except the 
felonious errand upon which they are bound. 
When the scene of action is at length reached, 
the looters lie down for a short period for repose, 
whilst one or two members of the party patrol 
the spot and guard against surprise. The ground 
has already been carefully surveyed, perhaps 
weeks before, by scouts sent out by the invading 
clan, so that the number of cattle and their dis¬ 
position, as well as the exact position of the 
village and the location of the owners, are well 
known to each member of the party. At a 
given signal they rise, and at once surround the 
herd to be “ lifted.” They are not driven violently 
off, but drawn gradually away from the pastures, 
in a clever and dexterous manner. Once fairly 
on the road, cross tracks are abandoned, and the 
property is boldly driven off to the Bara strong¬ 
hold, where feasting and rejoicing celebrates the 
success of the foray. 
But such operations sadly interfere with the 
cultivation of the soil and the development of 
the vast natural resources of the district. Re¬ 
criminations and small wars inevitably follow 
these expeditions, and the consequence is that 
always in some quarter of the south-west a 
struggle is going on between some of the king- 
