273 CHAP. XL Departure from Tamatave.—Slaughter of an Ox, and subsequent Eejoicing.— Arrival of Sodra.— Number of our Party. — Native Officers. — Dwellings of the People. — Native Hospitality Forest Exploration, and new Plants and Flowers. — Beautiful Lake Scenery. — The Bird beloved by Cattle. — Aspect of Andevorandro, and Occupations of the People. — Voyage on the Ihar-oka. — The Rofia Palm. — Magnificent Astraptea Trees. — Speeches on offering Presents. — Interview with an Officer from the Capital. — Retail of Spirituous Liquors. — Aspect of the distant Country. — Apprehensions from Crocodiles. — Size, Habits, and Ferocity of Crocodiles. — Crocodiles’ Eggs collected for Food or Sale in the Markets.— Perils and Privations of a Party of Christian Fugitives. — The Hot Springs at Ranomafana. — Native Music. — Continuance of Rain Physical Appearance of the People, and Modes of dressing their Hair.—Appearance of the Rocks.—The Travellers’ Tree, its magnificent Form and varied Uses.— Meals on the Journey.— Exceedingly difficult Roads. — Objects of Reverence or Worship. Early in the morning of the 6th of August, 1856, the bearers came and removed my packages into the court-yard of my house. The two soldiers who had slept beneath my roof with their muskets at their heads, rolled up their mats and gave them to a hoy who was to carry them. A stout Betsimasaraka chief, named Beoli, belonging to the district, but who from having been some years on board an English frigate for the purpose of learning the duties of a sailor, spoke broken English, so as to be generally understood; and had been ap pointed by the authorities captain of the maromities, or bearers, came with a gun, and a powder horn slung over his shoulder, to superintend the departure of the men with their burdens. I had hesitated about taking the packages, but the governor recommended all should be taken on to the capital, instead of being left to be sent for afterwards, if needed.