150 
only waited for a favourable opportunity to retaliate 
upon them the cruelties and injuries they had sustained. 
Upon the death of Chamargou, which soon followed 
that of La Case, La Bretesche, his son-in-law, suc¬ 
ceeded to the command of the colony. From this 
period may be dated the extinction of the French 
power in the South of Madagascar. Destitute of 
every qualification that commands respect, Bretesche 
found his authority lessening every day, while the 
constant bickerings, and increasing animosities, which 
arose between the French and the natives, involved 
them in continual wars and trouble. Despairing of 
success, he embarked with his family in a ship for 
Surat. Several Missionaries, and some of the French, 
followed his example; but no sooner had they left the 
road, than they perceived a signal of distress from 
the shore. The Captain immediately sent off his 
boats, by which he learned that Dian Ramousay, 
and the neighbouring chiefs, had risen upon the 
garrison, and massacred nearly the whole of them. 
The few who escaped were taken on board, leaving 
the natives once more free from their invaders. 
