442 
VISITS TO MADAGASCAR. 
CHAP. XVI. 
was accompanying the doctor in the capacity of assistant. 
Another priest, L’Abbe Webber, I was told, was accompanying 
the doctor as pharmacien. The bearers travelled on tolerably 
well with two of the travellers; but the men bearing the 
worthy superior, a somewhat portly figure, seemed to be 
perspiring profusely under their burden; and I could scarcely 
imagine how, in such weather as we had had, they would 
ever make their way along the forest roads. 
Shortly afterwards I met M. Soumagne, a French trader, 
from whom I had received much kindness at Tamatave. He 
was travelling to Antananarivo, for commercial purposes, in 
company with the son of the late chief judge of the province 
of Tamatave. The judge’s son was followed by a large retinue, 
including musicians, and dancers, and singing-women. A 
large drum, carried on a pole between two men, was one of 
the first portions of his baggage that we had passed. On 
meeting, we each alighted; and after conversing a short time, 
M. Soumagne gave me the welcome intelligence of having 
letters for me from England. After pursuing my journey for 
some time, we breakfasted at Beforona, where the chiefs who 
accompanied me found those in charge of part of the luggage 
belonging to the travellers we had passed; and amongst them 
the news from the coast and the capital was soon discussed. 
Two days after, we halted for a day’s rest. It was the 
Lord's day, and as another of my bearers was now suffering 
from fever, and all seemed fatigued, the day’s rest was as 
welcome to them as grateful to my own mind. 
At the close of the following day’s journey we reached 
Banomafana, near the hot springs; and half a mile before 
entering the village, I saw a beautiful shrub in bloom. The 
flowers were composite, and resembling the poivrea, but of a 
bright scarlet colour. I dug up a few young plants, and, 
keeping the roots in a ball of earth, have succeeded in bring¬ 
ing them alive to England. After picking up new plants 
