51 
The Rhoanclrians are the first and most dis¬ 
tinguished order; they are, in fact, the nobles of 
Madagascar. The kings are always chosen from 
amongst them, and are called Ampansacabe. They 
enjoy many privileges, and, amongst others, that of 
eat the flesh of beasts unless he had himself cut the throat of the 
animal, he irritated the disciples of Mahomet, who intended to 
spill his blood for introducing a new custom. But Mahomet 
saved his life by inspiration, and permitted him to cut the throats 
of the beasts he ate, and sometime afterwards gave him one of 
his daughters, named Farefatima, in marriage. Ramini then 
went with his wife to Mangalor, where he spent his life, and 
was an Ampansacabe. At his death, his son Rehanroad 
succeeded him, and married his sister: a son was the issue of 
this match, named Rahadzi, who also succeeded his father; but 
having a desire to visit the tombs of his ancestors at Palmir, he 
set out for that purpose, leaving his brother to supply his place 
during his absence. The latter proved treacherous, and giving 
out that his brother was only gone to make an act of profession 
of the Mahometan faith, gained over all the great men to 
his cause, and superseded his brother in the sovereignty. Ra¬ 
hadzi, being informed of this treachery, took the resolution of 
sailing in quest of an unknown land, and accordingly arrived at 
the island of Comoro, from whence he went to Madagascar, and 
landed at Manghabei, where he was kindly received, and mar¬ 
ried the daughter of one of the kings of the island. He had 
two children by her, the eldest of whom was chosen Ampansa¬ 
cabe—and his descendants, each in turn, succeeded him in that 
exalted office. Ramini Larizon was the last Ampansacabe, he 
being slain in war, and his two sons massacred on his tomb. 
There were many of the illegitimate offspring of this race when 
the French first went to Madagascar. They then had great 
power, but the French exterminated them all but one, who 
avenged their death by a general massacre of all the French 
in the country. 
E 2 
