chap. vii. PREPARATIONS FOR LEAVING THE ISLAND. 
189 
in the morning, when we arose,—for the Malagasy, like all in¬ 
habitants of warm climates, are early risers, and by half-past 
five we again set out upon onr journey. In three hours more 
I was set down at the door of my house at Tamatave, grateful 
for the safety I had experienced, and for the pleasure the 
journey had afforded. 
On inquiring soon afterwards of the owner of the vessel by 
which I purposed to return to Mauritius, when it would be 
likely to sail, I was informed that the period of quarantine on 
account of the cholera had been shortened, and that the ship 
would sail in two days. 
On the second day after receiving this intelligence, my 
luggage and plants were all conveyed on board the vessel, 
and having taken leave of my friends and received much 
kindness from the people, I proceeded to the ship early on 
the morning of the 13th of September. When I reached the 
“ Castro,”—for that was the name of the vessel,—the captain 
informed me that he should not put to sea until daylight the 
next morning. I therefore gladly returned to the shore to 
spend another quiet day amongst the people. 
In the afternoon of this day, my tall friend whom I had 
left at Mahavelona arrived, having been informed by a mes¬ 
senger of ray expected departure. He, with a number of others, 
assembled at my house in the evening, and we passed the 
time together under a deep impression of the improbability 
of our ever meeting again in the present life. At a late hour 
four of the company sent for their mats, and spread them on 
the floor of my room, while a neighbouring chief whom I had 
known in England sent his wife and two slaves over to my 
house with various articles of bedding for me during the 
night, as he knew that my own were all on board. Shortly 
after midnight my friends lay down on the floor, and I 
stretched myself on my bed, telling them to wake me at four 
in the morning. They still continued talking, however, and 
