Volltext Seite (XML)
CHAP. XI. FIRST NIGHT’S HALT ON THE HOAD. 275 the side, and four others carried my cooking apparatus and personal luggage. Our road, for a considerable distance, led over a sandy plain, presenting occasionally long lines of sand banks running parallel with the ocean, and having at different periods formed its boundary. The country afterwards became more woody, and we often passed trees of large size and vigorous growth. About half-past three we reached Anzolo- kafa, a straggling village on the banks of the Hivondro, nine miles distant from Tamatave, and where we were to halt for the night. My bearers hung up my palanquin, by means of cords, to the rafters of the house in which we were to sleep, so that it answered the double purpose of a carriage by day and a bed by night. By this plan I was also effectually removed from the dirt of the floor and the swarms of its inhabitants, which are celebrated for the numbers in which they come forth by night. I walked to an elevated part of the village, which commanded an extensive view of the coast and the wide rolling ocean, from its junction with the lake on one side, and the placid water of the broad Hivondro, and the fertile and level country on the other; and I was greatly delighted with the scene. In less than an hour the whole party had arrived, and amongst them the aide-de-camp of the prince with letters from the capital. The packages were deposited in the lapa, a sort of public or government house, erected for the use of travellers, and of which there is one, if not more, in every village of any consequence. The next thing they did was to kill the bullock, which they managed very adroitly, by throw ing the animal on its side, tying its legs, and then cutting its throat with a large knife. It was soon cut up, without stop ping to take off the skin ; and amidst shouting, and dancing, and other demonstrations of joy, the meat was distributed amongst the parties around, whose numbers were greatly in- T 2