Volltext Seite (XML)
390 VISITS TO MADAGASCAK. C1IAP. XIV. Nourse. He spoke much of the life he had led on board the ships. I found him suffering from extensive sores in the lower limbs, to which I applied dressings and bandages, &c. After remaining with me two or three hours he returned, but repeated his visit in a few days. I had not yet ventured to make any use of my photographic apparatus, not feeling quite sure how it might be regarded; but on this day a note came from an officer of the palace, saying that the prince wished to have his likeness taken, and would come for that purpose on the following morning. As I had my dark room to arrange, camera to unpack, and chemi cals to prepare, I could not possibly be ready by the next morning; and wrote to say that I should be happy to take the likeness of the prince as soon as my materials were ready. I had a succession of visitors throughout the day; and about seven o’clock in the evening, as I was sitting in my inner room, the young chief who had accompanied me from Tamatave came in to say that a sick person with some friends had come to see me. I said, “ Ask them to come in.” When the door opened, they brought in a palanquin, which they placed on the table in the outer room, and after removing the covering, raised up a thin, feeble, gasping woman, her hus band, relatives, and attendants, to the number of nineteen, all standing round. Her husband stated that all the native medicines deemed likely to be of any service had been re sorted to in vain, and the patient was so feeble as to be unable to sit up, and could scarcely take any food. I did not expect much benefit would result from any medicine I could give ; but I spoke kindly to the sufferer and her friends, and pro mised such medicine as I thought most likely to afford relief. The poor invalid expressed her great pleasure at having seen me; and said she should be grateful if it should please God to restore her to health. After conversing some time, the feeble sufferer was gently laid down in the palanquin by her