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Updated: June 19, 2025
But knowing as they did, only too well, the cruel character of Ranavalona the First, the people feared that the desire to terrify and suppress had more to do with the event than pleasure or health. At last, everything being complete, the Queen left the capital, and directed her course to the south-westward.
According to promise, Ranavalona had set out from her palace that morning without her wonted display and ceremonial, with only a few of her courtiers and a handful of troops around her. She did not, however, omit the scarlet umbrella of state, and it was this brilliant object which had attracted Mark's attention.
There was something so modest, yet so fearless, in the youth's tone and bearing, that the Queen's brows relaxed a little. "But why did you dare to interfere with my laws?" demanded Ranavalona, still angrily. "I did not venture to interfere, madam," returned Mark, humbly, "I did but use one law to neutralise another. One of these slaves is my friend.
I fear we shall lose her ere long, for she minds not the Queen, and no one who defies Ranavalona lives long. But come, let us sit down under this mango tree and eat. You must be hungry."
There was that in the voice of Ranavalona which alarmed the girl, and caused her to tremble as she replied, with some hesitation, that she still prayed. Instead of giving way to another burst of passion the Queen adopted a bantering tone, and said "Come, Rafaravavy, tell me what you pray for." "I pray for the pardon of my sins." "Is that all? Surely you pray for something more than that.
Yes it has come. It is planted. It must grow. The European nations cannot hinder it. Ranavalona cannot stamp it out. False friends and open foes cannot crush it. The Word of God will civilise us. We will rise among the nations of the earth when the love of Jesus spreads among us for that love cures every evil. It inclines as well as teaches us to deny self and do good.
At all events, whatever the cause, Ranavalona the First sank rapidly, and, on the 15th of August, 1861, after a reign of thirty-three years, the Tyrant Queen of Madagascar passed away to the tribunal of the King of Kings. Her son, Prince Rakota, was her successor; but his succession was not to be unopposed.
Rainiharo, the Prime Minister, on the contrary, was their bitter foe, and in his interview with the Queen above mentioned, had ventured to accuse the prince of aiding in the protection of those who practised the proscribed religion. The one redeeming point in the character of Ranavalona was her love for this son.
Their conductor, who was an Under-Secretary of State, led them by a dark narrow stair to the balcony where the Queen sat, and in a few moments they found themselves in the presence of the cruel Ranavalona, of whom they had heard so much. She did not look cruel at that time, however.
While these events were taking place in the forest, Queen Ranavalona was keeping her Court Physician and his comrades in a state of considerable uneasiness, not only with reference to the safety of their own heads, but because of her violent edicts regarding her Christian subjects.
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