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mode of canvassing the provinces is resorted to, 
some port in the north-west part of the island being 
appointed as a place of rendezvous. The time 
generally chosen for the expedition, is the month of 
September, taking advantage of the wind; and the 
number engaged amounts to many thousands, who 
set sail in canoes holding about thirty men each: we 
have seen a recent account, which states, that they 
could, if necessary, furnish a thousand of these 
canoes. The first island they make, is Mayotta, 
whence they are descried at a distance, a continual 
watch being kept at that time of the year. They 
pass this island, and sail for Johanna, the inhabi¬ 
tants of which place are usually apprized of their 
approach by a large fire on some hill in the former. 
The best preparations that the time will admit, are 
made; the inhabitants retire to the towns, which are 
fortified and shut up, and a supply of provisions laid 
in to sustain a regular siege. As soon as the Made- 
gasses arrive, part of them form a regular investment, 
while others are despatched to bring in provisions and 
plunder, and to seize all the inhabitants who have not 
been fortunate enough to reach the towns. Some¬ 
times the besieged suffer a want of provisions, and 
numbers of them die of hunger and thirst. The 
siege continues till the assailants have exhausted 
their supplies, when they return as they came, with 
their prisoners and plunder: the former are usually 
sold for slaves; but those Madegasses who are taken 
are invariably put to death. We are happy to be 
