OHAP. XVI. 
NIGHT SPENT AT AMBATOMANGA. 
435 
Soon after noon we resumed our journey, reached Ambato¬ 
manga, and, passing over the deep fosses, and along the edge 
of the sunken cattle-fold, which is always within the defences, 
and the fahitra, or pens for fattening cattle, I alighted at the 
door of the house I had formerly occupied, and. received a 
cordial welcome from its inmates. 
In the evening friends from the capital arrived, some bring¬ 
ing with them letters and other documents, others coming only 
that we might spend another evening together. With these 
friends I had deeply interesting and important conversation, 
and I endeavoured to give some useful information on matters 
which they had previously mentioned, and on which they 
were anxious to have my most matured opinions. The next 
morning I parted with them, under deep solicitude, but with 
much affection ; and sending messages to those who • had re¬ 
mained behind, I left the romantic feudal-looking village of 
Ambatomanga and continued my journey. 
In the evening of the following day we reached the first 
village in Ankay. Descending by the mountain road on 
the western side of the extensive and fertile valley east of 
Angavo, we reached the village of Prince Ramonja in the fore¬ 
noon of the next day. I was received with the same tokens 
of hospitality and kindness as had been shown when I had 
halted there on my way to Imerina. The servants of the 
prince brought presents, &c. A bullock was killed by his 
orders, and distributed amongst the people who were with me. 
His aged and venerable nurse was as lavish in her expressions 
of joy that I had seen the prince as she had been in her anti¬ 
cipation of the pleasure he would experience on my arrival. 
After remaining with these friendly retainers of the prince until 
noon, we travelled onward to Ambodinifo, and on the following 
day to Moramanga, a military station. 
Although a hundred and fifty miles or more from Tama- 
tave, I had already begun to collect a few plants, which I 
F F 2 
