243 
is the common signal for battle in the island. Ben- 
yowski had by this time retired to the fort with two 
Europeans and about thirty natives, who happened to 
be with him at the time. The fort was situated on 
an eminence, surrounded by strong palisades, and 
defended by two four-pounders and a few swivels. 
These were played off against the French, who, how¬ 
ever, continued to advance; and, when they got suffi¬ 
ciently near, were ordered to return the fire. The 
first discharge proved decisive. Benyowsky received 
a ball in the breast, and fell behind the parapet, 
whence he was presently after dragged by his hair, 
and expired in a few moments. 
Thus fell the celebrated Count de Benyowsky; 
and the period is gone by, when party feeling can in¬ 
duce an historian to exaggerate either his good or 
his bad qualities. His friends, as well as his ene¬ 
mies, have in all probability paid the debt of na¬ 
ture ;—some, perhaps, of those who were instrumental 
in his death, have themselves fallen a sacrifice by the 
hands of the assassin: and the very government by 
which he was first neglected, then persecuted, and 
finally murdered, has been dismembered and anni¬ 
hilated. But although personal feelings no longer 
operate, the circumstances still remain on record; 
and if, in retracing the history of Madagascar, it be 
necessary to bring them to light, there is now less 
difficulty in forming an unprejudiced judgment, than 
when the passions were excited by a party spirit, and 
an imperfect view of his character. 
a % 
