372 
VISITS TO MADAGASCAR. 
CHAP. XIII. 
the neighbourhood of the capital, and the soldiers occupying 
these encampments had been exercising during the former 
part of the day in the plain we had left. Our way led us 
near a number of small encampments. The tents were 
formed of rofia cloth. The soldiers on duty in each encamp¬ 
ment were called out, and saluted their young rulers as we 
passed. The men wore the white cloth in native fashion 
round their loins, with cross-belts, and cartouch boxes over 
their naked shoulders, and were all armed with muskets and 
bayonets. One of the officers told me there were 40,000 
troops in the two encampments, and a company of artillery. 
I saw, however, but a comparatively small number of the 
soldiers. My friend pointed out to me again the place of 
execution; as well as the graves of Mr. Hastie, Mr. Tyerman, 
and the members of the Mission families who had died at 
the capital. The spot was surrounded by a small iron fence. 
He also pointed out the former residences of the mission¬ 
aries, with other places of interest. 
The sun had set when we entered the capital. At the 
place where I had joined the procession I alighted, thanked 
the prince and princess for the gratification they had afforded 
me, and then proceeded to my own residence, which I reached 
between six and seven o’clock, just as it was becoming dark. 
In the evening two parties of friends from different parts 
of the country came, and we continued in deeply interesting 
conversation until a late hour. 
During the two succeeding days I saw numerous friends, 
and many visitors, some from Yonizongo, where affliction has 
been very severely felt. The immediate descendants and other 
relatives of Rafaravavy were among the number. I had now 
almost ceaseless applications for medicine, and was glad to com¬ 
ply with as many requests as I could. One of my bearers from 
Tamatave was a slave, and I was so much pleased with his 
attention and general behaviour, that I told him I should be 
