chap. vn. PREPARATIONS FOR LEAVING THE ISLAND. 189 in the morning, when we arose,—for the Malagasy, like all in habitants of warm climates, are early risers, and by half-past five we again set out upon our journey. In three hours more I was set down at the door of my house at Tamatave, grateful for the safety I had experienced, and for the pleasure the journey had afforded. On inquiring soon afterwards of the owner of the vessel by which I purposed to return to Mauritius, when it would be likely to sail, I was informed that the period of quarantine on account of the cholera had been shortened, and that the ship would sail in two days. On the second day after receiving this intelligence, my luggage and plants were all conveyed on board the vessel, and having taken leave of my friends and received much kindness from the people, I proceeded to the ship early on the morning of the 13th of September. When I reached the “ Castro,”—for that was the name of the vessel,—the captain informed me that he should not put to sea until daylight the next morning. I therefore gladly returned to the shore to spend another quiet day amongst the people. In the afternoon of this day, my tall friend whom I had left at Mahavelona arrived, having been informed by a mes senger of my expected departure. He, with a number of others, assembled at my house in the evening, and we passed the time together under a deep impression of the improbability of our ever meeting again in the present life. At a late hour four of the company sent for their mats, and spread them on the floor of my room, while a neighbouring chief whom I had known in England sent his wife and two slaves over to my house with various articles of bedding for me during the night, as he knew that my own were all on board. Shortly after midnight my friends lay down on the floor, and I stretched myself on my bed, telling them to wake me at four in the morning. They still continued talking, however, and