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He sank down, exhausted, with a deep groan yet even in his agony of rage the strong man murmured as he fell, "Lord forgive me!" While the men conversed, and Ebony sought to soothe Voalavo, with whom he had strong sympathy most of the poor women opposite were seated in a state of quiet resignation.
His comrades overturned two others whose muskets they seized, while Voalavo, with the power of a giant, hurled two others from him as if they had been boys. He did not stop to speak, but to the surprise of his rescuers, ran straight into a neighbouring coppice, and disappeared.
At last a step was heard on the rubbish heap above them; then a blow resounded on their covering, as if with the butt-end of a musket. This was followed by a shout, a clamour of voices, and a hasty clearing away of the rubbish. "All is lost!" exclaimed the Secretary in his native tongue. "Not while we have arms," growled Voalavo.
As, one after another, various members of the party detailed the sad sufferings or deaths of relatives and friends, the feelings of all became deeply affected with grief, those of some with a considerable dash also of indignation. Among the latter of course was Voalavo.
These were either professing or suspected Christians, who were anxious to make their escape from the danger that threatened. After bidding Voalavo farewell, the guide and his friends left the village and struck into the woods.
"Don't you think we might escape this feast?" said Mark to the guide, after the ceremony of introduction was over, "by urging the importance of our business at Antananarivo?" "Not easily. Voalavo is one of those determined and hearty men who insist on all their friends enjoying themselves as they themselves do. To-morrow we may persuade him to let us go.
He wore the usual cloth round the loins, and the lamba, which was thrown like a Scottish chieftain's plaid over his left shoulder but these garments bore evidence of rough usage and hard travel. The man was not a stranger, for, as he suddenly stood panting vehemently in the midst of the party, with his long arms outstretched, Voalavo addressed him in tones of surprise. "Razafil!" he exclaimed.
Turning impulsively, in the brusque careless manner which characterised him, Voalavo led the way to the banks of the river a considerable stream where the cattle were assembled and guarded by a band of over a hundred warriors. "Cattle seem to be plentiful in these parts," said Mark to the guide as they walked along. "They are numerous everywhere in Madagascar.
But it rather perplexed the little maiden when these same men, having been gifted with inquiring minds, puzzled themselves over the question why the Prince of the country in The Pilgrim's Progress did not kill Apollyon at once and have done with him. "Or make him good," suggested Voalavo. "True, that would have been better, perhaps, than killing him," assented Razafil.
The ornamentation of this garment proclaimed the wearer a person of distinction, and the evident satisfaction that beamed on his broad jovial countenance when he recognised and greeted Ravonino showed that it was Voalavo himself the chief of the village they were approaching.
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