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Updated: June 15, 2025
But this latter way lays us open to the danger of meeting with soldiers, and of my being captured along with my friend Laihova. There would be no danger to you and your friends, for you are strangers." "Ravonino," said Mark, quickly, "do what is best for rescuing Rafaravavy. We have no will but yours. We will follow wherever you choose to lead."
But neither food nor repose would the fugitives take until they had joined the Christian family in thanking God for their escape and in singing His praise. "Sing the hymn of dear Ramanisa," said Ravonino as he seated himself at the side of Rafaravavy, after arranging her mat. The host smiled as he turned over the leaves of a Malagasy hymn-book. "All the fugitives like that hymn," he said.
Beside him were several well-remembered natives, and on the opposite side of the room, also chained, were the women of the party, among whom were Ramatoa, Ra-Ruth, Rafaravavy, her maid Sarah, and the poor mother of Mamba. "Ravonino!" exclaimed Mark, in tones of profound sorrow, as he sat down beside his old guide, "I little thought to find you in such a strait."
"Humph!" ejaculated Ebony, "you's a fine feller to talk 'bout bold faces an' honest purpusses, w'en you're goin' to steal a young ooman out ob de pallis, fro' under de bery nose ob do queen!" "To help Rafaravavy to escape of her own free will is not theft," replied the guide, gravely. "When we are persecuted in one city Scripture advises us to flee to another." "Das true, Ravonino.
A quiet look of satisfaction played on the guide's features as he turned to his friend. "What says Laihova? The Englishmen are willing to do whatever we wish." "Let us go by the villages. Let us push on by night as well as by day," said Laihova. "Time flies! Ranavalona is mad! Rafaravavy is in danger!"
So engrossed was the whole Court with the exciting and singular events of the day that no one noticed the absence of Rafaravavy, and, happily, the Queen did not happen to require her attendance that night.
Thus Mark was enabled to disperse, for a time, the dark cloud which had been lowering over the land not, however, in time to prevent many Christians from being slain, and some even of the officers and ladies of the palace from being degraded, their honours taken from them, and themselves and children sold as slaves. Among the ladies, Rafaravavy had a narrow escape.
Nevertheless, she is so exceeding mad against us just now, that there is no saying when her forbearance may come to an end. If you would save Rafaravavy, you must get her out of the palace without delay." The guide did not reply for a few seconds. It was evident, from the knitted brows and the pallor of his countenance, that he was endeavouring to make up his mind to some course of action.
"Yes, the young cannon, and that will keep things going for a considerable time. Now, it is when the fight of the fifty begins and engrosses the attention of every one that I will myself take Rafaravavy out from among the ladies and lead her to the rendezvous. You will all stand by to lend a hand if need be at the south-east corner of the garden-house, that I may know exactly where to find you.
"If you were persecuted by the Queen and threatened with death, would you consider it allowable to fly to the forests?" "Yes the Word of the Lord recommends that." "Would you consider it right to assist a fellow-Christian to fly?" "Truly I would!" "Well then, you will assist me this night, for I have spoken to Rafaravavy. My Malagasy words are few, but love does not require many words!
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