273 
CHAP. XI. 
Departure from Tamatave.—Slaughter of an Ox, and subsequent Rejoicing.— 
Arrival of Sodra. — Number of our Party. — Native Officers. — Dwellings 
of the People. — Native Hospitality. — Forest Exploration, and new Plants 
and Flowers. — Beautiful Lake Scenery. — The Bird beloved by Cattle. — 
Aspect of Andevorandro, and Occupations of the People. — Voyage on the 
Iharoka. — The Rofia Palm. — Magnificent Astrapsea Trees. —. Speeches 
on offering Presents. — Interview with an Officer from the Capital. — Retail 
of Spirituous Liquors. — Aspect of the distant Country. — Apprehensions 
from Crocodiles. — Size, Habits, and Ferocity of Crocodiles. — Crocodiles’ 
Eggs collected for Food or Sale in the Markets.— Perils and Privations of a 
Party of Christian Fugitives, — The Hot Springs at Ranomafana. — Native 
Music. — Continuance of Rain-Physical Appearance of the People, and 
Modes of dressing their Hair.—Appearance of the Rocks. — The Traveller’s 
Tree, its magnificent Form and varied Uses. — Meals on the Journey. — 
Exceedingly difficult Roads. — Objects of Reverence or Worship. 
Early in the morning of the 6th of August, 1856, the bearers 
came and removed my packages into the court-yard of my 
house. The two soldiers who had slept beneath my roof with 
their muskets at their heads, rolled up their mats and gave 
them to a boy who was to carry them. A stout Betsimasaraka 
chief, named Beoli, belonging to the district, but who from 
having been some years on board an English frigate for the 
purpose of learning the duties of a sailor spoke broken 
English, so as to be generally understood, and had been ap¬ 
pointed by the authorities captain of the maromites, or 
bearers, came with a gun, and a powder horn slung over 
his shoulder, to superintend the departure of the men with 
their burdens. I had hesitated about taking the packages, 
but the governor recommended all should be taken on to 
the capital, instead of being left to be sent for afterwards, if 
needed. 
T 
