Part 15 (1/2)

Towards the afternoon the party arrived at the native village, where grand preparations for festivities had been made. It was evident also that some parts of the festive libations had been taken in advance, for the head-man had reached the solemnised point of intoxication, and some of his young men the owlish condition.

In some parts of this island of Madagascar, as in other parts of the world, the people reduced themselves to great poverty through strong drink. Though they had abundance of rice, and much beef, which latter was salted for exportation, they sold so much of their food for arrack-- imported by traders from Mauritius and Bourbon--that little was left for the bare maintenance of life, and they, with their families, were often compelled to subsist on roots. They did not understand ”moderate drinking”! Intoxication was the rule until the arrack was done. The wise King Radama the First attempted to check the consumption of ardent spirits by imposing a heavy duty on them, but his efforts were only partially successful.

The tribe to which our travellers were at this time introduced had just succeeded in obtaining a quant.i.ty of the coa.r.s.e and fiery spirits of the traders. Their native visitors being quite ready to a.s.sist in the consumption thereof, there was every prospect of a disgusting exhibition of savagery that night.

”Don't you think we might escape this feast?” said Mark to the guide, after the ceremony of introduction was over, ”by urging the importance of our business at Antananarivo?”

”Not easily. Voalavo is one of those determined and hearty men who insist on all their friends enjoying themselves as they themselves do.

To-morrow we may persuade him to let us go. Besides, I do not object to stay, for I intend to preach them a sermon on unG.o.dliness and intemperance in the middle of the feast.”

Mark could scarcely forbear smiling at what he deemed the originality of the guide's intention, as well as the quiet decision with which he stated it.

”Don't you think,” he said, ”that this way of bearding the lion in his den may rouse the people to anger?”

”I know not--I think not; but it is my business to be instant in season and out of season,” replied Ravonino, simply.

Mark said no more. He felt that he had to do with a Christian of a somewhat peculiar type, and thereafter he looked forward with not a little curiosity and some anxiety to the promised sermon. He was doomed, like the reader, to disappointment in this matter, for that night had not yet run into morning when an event occurred which modified and hastened the proceedings of himself and his friends considerably.

CHAPTER ELEVEN.

AN UNINVITED GUEST APPEARS WITH NEWS THAT DEMANDS INSTANT ACTION.

The villagers and their guests were still in the midst of the feast, and the arrack had not yet begun to stimulate their imaginations, so that the deeds of their ancestors--which formed the chief subject of conversation--were still being recounted with some regard to modesty and truth, when Voalavo said to the a.s.semblage, with a beaming countenance, that he had a treat in store for them.

”You are all fond of music,” he said. ”Who does not know that the Malagasy are good singers? The songs you have already sung have delighted my ears, and the clapping of your hands has been in the best of time; but you shall soon have music such as the idols would enjoy, I have no doubt, when in a merry mood.”

The chief uttered the last sentence with an air of good-natured contempt, for he was what we may style an unbeliever in all G.o.ds--not an uncommon state of mind in men of superior intelligence when they think seriously of the debasing absurdities of idolatry.

”Now, my friend,” he said, turning to John Hockins, with an air and tone of command, ”let them hear the little pipe on which you--you-- tootle-ootle.”

Hockins had much ado to keep his gravity as he drew out the flageolet, and every eye was instantly fixed on him in glaring expectancy.

It need hardly be said that the effect of the sweet instrument was very powerful, and it is probable that the party of admirers might have taxed the seaman's powers of performance to the uttermost, if they had not been suddenly interrupted by the entrance of a tall wild-looking man, who was evidently in a state of tremendous excitement.

He wore the usual cloth round the loins, and the _lamba_, which was thrown like a Scottish chieftain's plaid over his left shoulder--but these garments bore evidence of rough usage and hard travel. The man was not a stranger, for, as he suddenly stood panting vehemently in the midst of the party, with his long arms outstretched, Voalavo addressed him in tones of surprise.

”Razafil!” he exclaimed. ”Glad are we to see the Bard of Imarina. Your coming is well-timed. We are feasting, and singing, and story-telling.

Words from the poet will be welcome.”

Notwithstanding the friendly reception thus accorded to the Bard of Imarina, it was evident that the words were thrown away upon him, for he continued for some time to glare and pant while perspiration rolled down his face, and it became clear to every one that something was wrong with him. At last he spoke in a kind of low singing tone which harmonised with his appearance--

”Vain man! Observ'st thou not the dead?

The morning warmth from them has fled, Their mid-day joy and toil are o'er, Though near, they meet fond friends no more.”

He paused and looked wildly yet tremblingly round, as if in search of some one, but took no notice of his friends, many of whom were present at the gathering. Then he continued in the same strain--

”A gate of entrance to the tomb we see, But a departure thence there ne'er shall be.

The living waves his signal high, But where's the loved one's fond reply?

Ah! where are those thus doomed to die?