320 
VISITS TO MADAGASCAR. 
CHAP. XII. 
show us the way out of the river, and along the path to the 
houses. I entered the house appropriated to our use about 
seven in the evening, having been, with the exception of 
two hours occupied by our breakfast, on the shoulders of 
my bearers ever since seven in the morning; and, had they 
not been both skilful and strong, we could not have reached 
this place on that night. One of the chiefs said, if I had any 
spirituous liquor with me, it would be well to give some to 
each of the bearers; and, as my canteen contained a bottle of 
brandy, which I found no occasion to use myself, I felt no 
hesitation in giving a glass to each of the men. 
This place is a post station for relays of messengers for the 
government, as well as a wood cutter’s village; and the chief, 
a tall Hova officer, soon brought a present of rice, sweet 
potatoes, and poultry, with a large supply of dry fuel. I 
acknowledged his kindness, and assured him that, to give so 
hospitable a welcome in such a place and at such an hour, 
was indeed treating me like a friend. The chief part of the 
poultry, together with the rice and potatoes, was given to the 
men, who soon cooked their supper, and stretched themselves 
on their mats. I was glad to sit by the bright blazing fire 
while my own supper was prepared, and afterwards to write 
up my journal for the day in the same comfortable place, for 
the nights had now become quite cool. 
Fatigued as I was, my mind was greatly excited by the 
scenes through which we had passed during the day. Ala- 
mazaotra is one of the great forests of the island, or rather 
part of the belt of forest, which, at nearly the same elevation, 
is said to extend through the chief provinces of Madagascar. 
It is said to be forty miles through ; but I did not think we 
had travelled more than twenty-five miles during this day. 
The forest appears to spread over the most unequal ground, 
covering mountain ridges, steep precipices, and broad or 
narrow valleys. Many of the trees are of stupendous mag- 
