HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
289 
never grow again. The order was mournfully obeyed, and 
they perished under the bayonets of the soldiers in sight of 
the multitudes of females, and a vast concourse of people from 
the town. His majesty immediately sent for the Europeans, 
told them that a number of persons who were fools, and wished 
to remain such, had created a disturbance. I have ordered 
five of them, said Radama, to be put to death; but don’t 
you be alarmed. I am here to protect you.—The bodies 
of the five women who were put to death, remained upon 
the spot until they were devoured by dogs anti birds. 
The company of rebellious females were detained where 
they had assembled during the space of three days, guarded 
by troops, and without food or shelter. They entreated to 
be released, and said, that unless the king should exercise 
mercy, they must all perish. He then sent word that they 
might return to their respective homes, and attend to their 
domestic duties, but must leave the business of government 
to himself, and not interfere again in the affairs of the 
kingdom. It is not supposed that Radama regarded one of 
the charges they brought against him, viz. the drinking of 
spirituous liquors, as belonging to the business of govern¬ 
ment ; though they were not the most proper reprovers. 
This he passed by in silence, and punished them for inter¬ 
fering with the public regulations which he had thought 
fit to introduce. 
i. 
u 
