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Updated: May 15, 2025
"Whatever my Prince requires of me shall be done if it be not against the laws of my God," said the Secretary. Rakota looked pleased with the reply. "I want you," he said, "to stand in the passage here, till Rambosalama appears. He is sure to pass, being now in the death-chamber, to which I return speedily.
"Well met, Rambosalama," he said, taking his arm in a friendly but firm way, "I have somewhat to say to you." "Not now, not now!" exclaimed the other, hastily. "I am wanted outside! Another time " "No time like the present," interrupted the Secretary, tightening his grasp, "come this way." Rambosalama taking alarm, tried to wrench himself free, but the Secretary was strong.
He had a rival claimant to the throne in his own cousin Rambosalama, an able, wary, and unscrupulous man, who, on perceiving that the end was approaching, had laid his plans secretly and extensively for seizing the reins of government.
Laxity seemed to prevail among the guards, for many people who carried weapons ill-concealed in their lambas, and whose looks as well as movements were suspicious, were allowed to enter. These were the partisans of Rambosalama. Indeed it is probable that even among the guards themselves there were adherents of the Pretender.
My reign shall not begin with bloodshed if I can help it. You know that my good friend the Commander-in-Chief of the troops, Rainiharo's son, is on our side. Finding that my cousin went about armed, he recently issued an order that no one should be allowed to carry arms in the palace. As I myself bowed to this order, and submitted to be searched, of course Rambosalama had no excuse for refusing.
Instead of taking the usual method of savage and semi-civilised rulers to crush rebellion, he merely banished Rambosalama from the capital, and confined him in a residence of his own in the country; but no fetters were put on his limbs, and his wealth was not forfeited, nor was he forbidden to communicate with his friends.
But the faithful Commander-in-Chief was on the alert, and had laid his plans. He stood in the chamber of death where the mourners were weeping. He watched with keen eye the movements of Rambosalama, and when that Prince left the room for the purpose of giving the signal to his followers, he slipped quietly out and gave his counter-signal, which was the waving of a scarf from a window.
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