28 
VISITS TO MADAGASCAR 
CHAP. II 
covered with a white cloth on which refreshments were placed; 
and there were a number of chairs and native seats made of 
matting, like high square ottomans, in different parts of the 
room. Several women were occupied in one part of the house 
when we arrived, but they retired as soon as the chief entered. 
When we were seated, the company resumed their inquiries 
respecting England, France, and America, stating that they 
had entered into commercial relations with traders from the 
latter country, one of whom was there at present, waiting for 
the arrival of his ship. 
While we were thus occupied, an officer with several atten¬ 
dants entered the house. He was a tall stout man, between 
fifty and sixty years of age, with features resembling those of 
a South Sea Islander. On the upper part of his person he 
wore a fine figured shirt, with upright vandyck collar and 
wristbands of the same pattern, and, loosely thrown over this, 
a large and handsome silk scarf or lamba. The centre of the 
lamba consisted of broad stripes of purple, scarlet, pink, and 
yellow, edged with a border tastefully wrought in a kind of 
open-work exhibiting a curious pattern in yellow and scarlet 
silk. He had neither shoes nor stockings, but wore a blue 
cloth cap, the shade edged with silver, and the crown sur¬ 
rounded by a broad band of gold lace. Two of his attendants 
carried swords, one like a heavy cavalry weapon, the other 
with a straight and smaller blade. Our friend the harbour 
master introduced him by name, as Kainibehevitra, ap¬ 
parently meaning Father of Great Thoughts, thirteenth 
honour, second in command, and chief judge of Tamatave. 
He very frankly offered his hand, and when seated said he 
came from the governor to bid us welcome in his name, and 
to express his regret that he could not see us at present. 
After a short general conversation respecting railroads, steam¬ 
ships, the electric telegraph, and other things of which he 
had heard, he dismissed his attendants, and, sending all out 
