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Most of those present were glad to give vent to their feelings in prayer and praise, though some there were who, having been led to join the band by the mere force of circumstances, had little heart in the matter. Certainly Voalavo was not among these last, for the enthusiasm which inclined him to fight with violence also induced him to pray with vigour.
Knowing full well what was being done, these youths hurried home to tell what was going on. The head-man of the village was on good terms with Voalavo at the time, besides being a distant relative. Hence the message and the invitation. As our happy-go-lucky chief was out in what may be termed a larky state of mind, and had nothing particular to do, he accepted the invitation.
The chief, Voalavo, was there, however, deeply engaged in studying yes, studying The Pilgrim's Progress! But he could not make much of it, his education at the hands of Ra-Ruth having commenced only a few weeks before.
"But where did you fall in with the white men?" asked Voalavo, turning suddenly towards Mark and Hockins, who stood listening with interest and curiosity to the rapid flow of his unintelligible talk. "Such pale flowers do not grow in our forests!"
Still more were he and his awakened comrades horrified when the names of Ravoninohitriniony and Voalavo were sternly called out. Both men promptly stood up. "At last!" said the former, quietly, and without a trace of excitement. "Well, I am glad, for it is the Lord's will. Farewell, my friends," he added, looking back as he was led away, "we shall all meet again in great joy farewell!"
The contemplation of those creatures, however, had to be cut short at that time, as they did not dare to risk keeping Voalavo waiting breakfast for them. "We are going to stick pigs and hunt wild cattle," said the jovial chief, with his mouth full of chicken and rice, when they arrived. "We will show the white men some fun."
She broke down and finished the sentence with prayer for strength and for a submissive spirit. Meanwhile the war-like expedition, on which Voalavo and his youths were only too ready to enter was rendered needless by the sudden appearance of Ravonino himself, with Rafaravavy and Sarah!
The villagers and their guests were still in the midst of the feast, and the arrack had not yet begun to stimulate their imaginations, so that the deeds of their ancestors which formed the chief subject of conversation were still being recounted with some regard to modesty and truth, when Voalavo said to the assemblage, with a beaming countenance, that he had a treat in store for them.
"Many things have happened since you left us," resumed Ramatoa. "Razafil, the poet, has come to stay with us, and Voalavo too." "Voalavo!" exclaimed Laihova in surprise, "is he not the chief of a tribe that does not love Jesus? And he was not a Christian when I saw him last." "He is a Christian now," returned the girl, quietly, "if I may judge him by his works.
It was a sad occasion when they met in the house of their old guide Ravonino, to spend the last evening with him and Rafaravavy, and Laihova, and Ra-Ruth, Reni-Mamba and her husband, Voalavo, Soa, Totosy, the Secretary, and other friends, but it was also a time of pleasant communing about days that seemed so long past, although so recent.
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