422 
VISITS TO MADAGASCAR. 
CHAP. XY. 
me to my first halting-place, and wished to know at what time 
I should set out. I replied that, as the officers did not propose 
to travel far the first day, I should leave between two and 
three o’clock. I afterwards went to take leave of some of 
my patients who were doing well. I also went to look again 
at places of great interest to me,—the rock of execution, and 
the site of the burning of the martyrs, both conspicuous 
spots, and visible from great part of the capital. 
During the forenoon the queen sent an officer with some 
Mozambique men to carry my palanquin, and I hired others. 
The officer also informed me that eight officers were appointed 
to proceed with me to the coast, that there might be no delay 
in the fever districts; and a hundred men, more than double 
the number required, came to arrange and apportion my 
packages. Officers came and furnished the requisite cordage 
and poles, and all were ready by noon. I requested the 
officers to thank the queen for the kindness and attention she 
had shown me, even to the last. About one o’clock the prince 
arrived, and, accompanied by one of the nobles and their 
attendants, entered the house. Many people were collected in 
the courtyard. The prince was more than usually grave; and 
we were long engaged in earnest conversation. He spoke 
much of his anxiety for the people and his distress at events 
that occurred. He said it was like tearing his heart out. 
About three o’clock we rose to depart, when the prince, 
with a degree of feeling that almost overcame me, came and, 
taking my hand, led me out of the house through the crowd 
of officers and people to my palanquin. As soon as I was 
seated he entered his own, as did also the young noble his 
companion. Thus accompanied I commenced my homeward 
journey. 
As we passed through the narrow streets there were not 
many people, but I recognised amongst them the faces of 
friends. On reaching the more open road, we were joined by 
