230 
HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
a low tone, “ Bleed me; let the sikidy not be consulted: 
bleed me immediately.” This, the attendants refused to 
allow, and still continued cutting off the heads of the fowls, 
and pouring their blood into the king’s mouth. Aided 
by Messrs. Robin and Brady, foreigners residing at the 
capital, the king was placed in a chair facing the door, and 
Mr. Jones prepared to bleed him; but when about to open 
the vein, a principal officer, standing by, seized his arm, and 
prevented it Mr. Jones, however, kept his hand so firmly 
fixed, that the moment his right arm was released, he 
accomplished his purpose. When the blood appeared, a 
cry was raised to stop it—this was refused—the king fainted 
—and the cry was repeated with gestures indicating frantic 
distraction. Radama, however, soon revived, appeared 
better, and was put to rest. The sikidy was then consulted, 
to ascertain who might enter the house, and approach his 
majesty. The diviners declared that the sikidy directed 
that none should enter but Mr. Jones, two other foreign¬ 
ers, and about twelve attendants, including the king’s 
mother and three of his wives. The king continued to 
recover ; and when the benefits resulting from bleeding were 
thus apparent, the people poured their benedictions on the 
Missionary as heartily as they had before opposed him; 
and, in order that the advantage might not be enjoyed 
solely by the king, they strongly solicited Mr. Jones to 
bleed them , in anticipation of a fall, or other accident 
which might render it necessary. 
In a few days the king appeared to have completely 
recovered from the effects of his fall, and gave, in the 
course of the ensuing month, a public entertainment on 
occasion of his restoration. 
A large tent was erected in the palace-yard, beneath which 
tables and seats were fixed. The feast was amply supplied 
