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They had kept count of the days because of the guide's quiet but firm determination to rest in camp on the Sabbath a plan which, although they had no very strong principle on the subject, commended itself to the rest of the party because of the pleasant effect of the day's rest on both soul and body, for it afforded opportunity to have long and earnest talks with Ravonino about the former days of persecution, as well as quiet strolls, alone or in couples, and it must be admitted occasional slumbers in the cool shade of bush or tree!
Indeed he soon found that it was useless to do so, for whenever he approached the subject Ravonino became so abstracted and deaf that no reply could be drawn from him. As if to compensate for this, however, the man was exceedingly communicative in regard to all other subjects, and there was a quiet urbanity in his manner which rendered his conversation exceedingly attractive.
"But how are we to find your friend," asked Mark, "seeing that we don't know him, and have never seen him?" "My friend is not a man, but a a woman, a young girl," said Ravonino, with the slightest possible symptom of confusion, which opened the eyes of Mark instantly, and still further stirred his sympathies.
"Now, we must carry her," he said to the guide, "for she won't be able to walk for many days." On this being translated, Mamba gathered his mother up as if she had been a bundle of clothes, or a baby, and marched away with her. "Stop, stop!" cried Ravonino, "you can't carry her more than a few miles on such ground as I shall soon lead you over. We must arrange for her a filanzana."
"If your queen," continued Ravonino, "were to tell you to give up the service of God and worship idols, would you do it?" "Cer'nly not," replied the seaman, promptly, "for she has no right to rule over my soul. My duty to the King of Kings stands before my duty to the Queen of England." Again the guide was silent for a few minutes. Then he said:
"Not quite, for the white people turned out to be tough. They managed to get away from our island alive, but in a state of health, I believe, that will very likely prevent them from ever wishing to return!" "I have much love for these men," said Ravonino, after a pause. "You have influence with Rainiharo. Can you not befriend them?"
"You do not consider," replied Ravonino, "that it is more difficult for sailors to cross the wild forest than to find their way on the trackless sea, and you forget also that the way is long, that Madagascar is larger than Great Britain and Ireland put together. There are many tribes, too, some of which are not so hospitable as others.
We will not fear what man can do unto us. Will you pray for us?" she added, turning to their protector. Ravonino at once kneeled; the two girls sank down beside him, and in few but earnest, simple words he prayed for help in the all-prevailing name of Jesus. The vigour of body which flowed from the prayer was no fanciful emotion or miraculous effect.
When she was consumed they led me away to the torture but I burst from them escaped I know not how I care not! for my little one is lost! lost! "Nay, Razafil not lost!" said Ravonino, in a quiet but firm tone, for he saw the gleam increasing in the poor father's eyes. "Did you not say just now that she is singing with joy unspeakable the praises of His name?" The words were fitly spoken.
"If they were a more civilised people we might expect to be let off easily for so slight an offence as rescuing a supposed criminal, but you remember that Ravonino once said, when telling us stories round the camp-fire, that interference with what they call the course of justice is considered a very serious offence.
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