CHAPTER EIGHTEEN.
UNEXPECTED DELIVERANCE AND SEVERAL SURPRISES.
At the time when Mamba started away on his expedition to Tamatave,Ravonino, as we have said, lay concealed in the forest, anxiouslyawaiting news from the town. At last the news came--the two white menand the negro had got involved in a row, and were in prison!
So said Laihova on entering the cave and seating himself, weary, worn,and dispirited, on a ledge of rock beside his friend, to whom he relatedall that had befallen.
"Give not way to despondency," said Ravonino, though he could not smooththe lines of anxiety from his own brow. "Does not the Lord reign? Letthe earth rejoice! No evil can befall unless permitted, and then itwill surely work for good. Let us now consider what is to be done. Butfirst, we will pray."
In the gloom of the cavern the two men went down on their knees, and, invery brief but earnest sentences, made known their wants to theirCreator.
"It is useless to remain here idle," said the guide, as they resumedtheir seat on the ledge.
"It is useless to go into the town," returned Laihova. "I am known nowas one of those who aided Mamba to escape."
"But I am not known--at least not in my present guise," said Ravonino."Have you seen Rafaravavy?"
"No; I tell you we had not been long in the town when this mischancebefell."
"Did not Mamba tell you why he has undertaken so long a journey?"
"He did not, but I can guess," answered Laihova, with a slight smile."The night before we left our friends in the cave in Betsilio-land Iheard his mother urging him to accompany us to the capital and fetchher, if possible, a copy of the Word of God. She was joined in herpersuasions by my sister Ramatoa, and you know he loves Ramatoa. I haveno doubt that the two overcame his objections."
"Do you know why he objected?" asked Ravonino.
"He _said_ that he was afraid to quit his mother and the others at atime when she might sorely need his protection, but other motives mayhave influenced him."
"If he _said_ it he _meant_ it," returned the guide, with some decision,"for Mamba is open and true of heart. No doubt he had other motives,but these were secondary. God grant him success and safe deliverancefrom the hands of his enemies!"
"Amen!" responded Laihova.
For some time the two friends sat there in silence, meditating as towhat they should do in the circumstances, for each felt that action ofsome sort was absolutely necessary.
"My friend," said the guide at last, "it seems to me that the Lordrequires me at this time to go with my life in my hand, and give it toHim if need be. I have led these Englishmen into danger. I must do mybest to succour them. Rafaravavy also is in great danger of losing herlife--for the Queen's fondness for her may not last through theopposition to her will which she is sure to meet with. At all risks Iwill enter the town and try to meet with Rafaravavy. But you, myfriend, have no need to run so great a risk. The Englishmen have noclaim upon you. My sister Ra-Ruth, as well as the other banished ones,need your arm to defend them, all the more that Mamba has left for atime. I counsel you to return to the Betsilio country and leave me.There is no fear. I am in the hands of God."
For a few moments Laihova was silent. Then he spoke, slowly. "No. Iwill not leave you. Are not our friends also in the hands of God? Forthem, too, there is no fear. At present they are far from danger and insafe hiding, for even the outlaws--the robbers who infest the forests--understand something of their case; they have sympathy and will notmolest them. Besides all that, Ravoninohitriniony, is there not theBlood-covenant between you and me? No, I will _not_ leave you! Whereyou go I will go, and if you die I will not live!"
Seeing that his friend's mind was made up, the guide made no furthereffort to influence him, and both men prepared themselves to go to thecity.
We return now to our friends Mark Breezy, John Hockins, and JamesGinger, whom we left in the act of quitting their prison after being themeans of obtaining some extension of mercy to an unfortunate suffererwhom they left behind them there.
The Interpreter led them up several steep streets, and finally broughtthem to a court-yard in which were several small houses. Into one ofthese he ushered them, having previously pointed out to them that thebuilding occupied a prominent position not far from the great palace ofthe Queen.
"So--if you out goes--git losted--know how to finds you'self agin!"
"Das so," said Ebony. "You's a clibber man."
"Now you stop," continued the Interpreter, paying no attention to theremark, "for git some--some--vik--vik--vikles--eh?"
"Vikles!" repeated Mark, with a puzzled air.
"Yis--yis--vikles," repeated the Interpreter, nodding his head, smiling,opening his mouth very wide, and pointing to it.
"P'r'aps he means victuals," suggested Hockins.
"Yis--yis--jus' so--vittles," cried the Interpreter, eagerly, "wait forvittles. Now--good-boy--by-by!" he added, with a broad grin at hisblunder, as he left the room and shut the door.
The three friends stood in the middle of the room for a few seconds insilence, looked at each other, and smiled dubiously.
"Let's see if we really _are_ free to go and come as we choose," saidMark, suddenly stepping to the door and trying it. Sure enough it wasopen. They passed out and went a short distance along the street, inwhich only a few natives were moving about. These, strange to say,instead of gazing at them in idle curiosity, seemed to regard them withsome show of respect.
"Hold on, sir," said Hockins, coming to an abrupt halt, "you know thatfeller told us to wait for victuals, and I am uncommon disposed for themvictuals; for, to say truth, the trifle of rice they gave us thismornin' was barely enough to satisfy an average rat. Better come backan' do as we're bid. Obedience, you know, is the first law of natur'."
"Das w'at I says too. Wait for de wittles."
"Agreed," said Mark, turning on his heel.
On reaching the house they found that two slaves had already begunpreparations for the hoped-for feast. In a few minutes they had spreadon the mat floor several dishes containing rice, mingled with bits ofchicken and other meats, the smell of which was exceedingly appetising.There was plain beef also, and fowls, and cooked vegetables, and fruitsof various kinds, some of which were familiar to them, but others werequite new.
Slaves being present, our three travellers did not give full and freeexpression to their feelings; but it was evident from the way thatHockins smacked his lips and Ebony rolled his tongue about, not tomention his eyes, and Mark pursed his mouth, that they were smitten withpleased anticipation, while the eyes of all three indicated considerablesurprise!
There were no knives or forks--only horn spoons for the rice; but aseach man carried a large clasp-knife in his pocket, the loss was notfelt.
In any other circumstances the singularity and unexpected nature of thisgood treatment would have stirred up the fun of Ebony and the latenthumour of Hockins, but they could not shake off the depression, causedby the memory of what they had seen in the prison--the heavy ironcollars and the cruel binding chains. They tried to put the best facepossible on it, but after a few faint sallies relapsed into silence.This, however, did not prevent their eating a sufficiently hearty meal.
"There's no sayin' when we may git the chance of another," was Hockins'sapologetic remark as he helped himself to another fowl.
"It is very mysterious that we should receive such treatment," saidMark. "I can only account for it by supposing that our friend Ravelo isan officer of some power. If so, it was doubly fortunate that we hadthe opportunity of doing him a good turn."
"Now, you leave dem two drumsticks for me, 'Ockins," said Ebony, wipinghis mouth with the back of his hand. "You'll do yourself a injury ifyou heat de whole ob 'im."
"Well, I must confess to bein' surprised summat," said the seaman,referring to Mark's observation, not to Ebony's.
They were destined to receive some additional surprises before that daywas over. The meal which they had
been discussing was barely finishedwhen their friend the Interpreter again entered and bade them followhim.
"Queen Ranavalona wish sees you," he said.
"What! all on us?" exclaimed Hockins, with elevated eyebrows.
"Yis--all."
"Oh! nonsense," he cried, turning to Mark. "It must be you, doctor, shewants to see. What can she want with a or'nary seaman like me?"
"Or a extraor'nary nigger like me?" said Ebony, with a look of extremecontempt.
"You kin stop in house if you choose," remarked the Interpreter, with aquiet grin, "but you heads be splitted if you do."
"Then I think I'll go," said Hockins, quietly.
"Me too," remarked the negro.
Accordingly they all went--with a slight qualm, however, for they feltslightly doubtful whether, under existing circumstances, they might notafter all be going to execution.
The royal palaces, to which they were led, occupy a very conspicuous andcommanding position on the summit of the hill, and stand at an elevationof more than 500 feet above the surrounding plains. They areconspicuously larger than any of the other houses in the city, aregrouped together in a large court-yard, and number about a dozenhouses--large and small. The chief palace, named Manjaka-Miadana, isabout 100 feet long by 80 broad, and 120 high to the apex of its loftyroof. A wide verandah, in three stories, runs all round it. All ispainted white except the balustrade. The building next in size to thisis the Silver House. On the eastern side of the court-yard are thepalace gardens, and around it stand a number of houses which are theresidences of the chief officers of the army, the Secretaries of State,and other members of the Government.
On reaching the palace gate two young officers approached to receive thevisitors. They were dressed in splendid European regimentals, muchbedecked with gold-lace, tight-fitting trousers, Wellington boots, sash,sword, and cocked hat, all complete! One of these, to their surprise,spoke English remarkably well.
"I learned it from the missionaries when I was leetle boy," he explainedto Mark, as he conducted the visitors through the archway and across thespacious court-yard into the palace. In the second storey of theverandah the Queen was seen seated beneath that emblem of royalty thescarlet umbrella, with her Court around her. Before entering the courtthe visitors had removed their hats. They were now directed to make aprofound reverence as they passed, and proceeded along the side of thebuilding to the further end.
A line of native troops was drawn up across the court, but these wore nouniform, only the lamba wound round their waists, and white cross-beltson their naked bodies. They were armed with the old flint-lock musketsand bayonets of the period.
Their conductor, who was an Under-Secretary of State, led them by a darknarrow stair to the balcony where the Queen sat, and in a few momentsthey found themselves in the presence of the cruel Ranavalona, of whomthey had heard so much.
She did not look cruel at that time, however. She was dressed in a richsatin gown, over which she wore the royal scarlet lamba, and jewels ofvarious kinds ornamented her person. She was seated in a chair raisedtwo or three steps above the floor, with her ladies on one side and hergentlemen on the other. The former, among whom were some reallygood-looking brunettes, had all adopted the English fashion of dress,with parts of native costume retained. Some wore head-dresses ofgorgeous colouring, composed of ribbons, flowers, and feathers in greatprofusion, but as no head-dress, however strongly marked by barbaricsplendour, can excel the amazing feminine crests in present use amongthe civilised, we refrain from attempting description! Most of the menalso wore European costume, or portions thereof, some being clad insuits of black broad-cloth.
The amount of ceremony displayed on all hands at Court seemed to haveinfected our three adventurers, for, when led before the Queen, theyapproached with several profound bows, to which Hockins added theadditional grace of a pull at his forelock. In this he was imitated byEbony.
For some moments Ranavalona eyed her visitors--perhaps we should say hercaptives--sternly enough, but there was also a slight touch of softnessin her expression, from which Mark drew much comfort; in silence, for asyet the Queen had given no indication, as to whether the new-comers wereto be treated as friends or spies, and the recent banishment of themissionaries, and harsh treatment of Europeans by the Queen, left theirminds in some doubt on the point.
Turning to the Secretary who had introduced the party, Ranavalona spoketo him a few words. When she had finished, the Secretary turned toMark, whom he at once recognised as the chief and spokesman of the trio.
"Queen Ranavalona bid me ask where you comes from," he said.
To which Mark replied that they came from England, that they were allEnglish subjects, though one was an African by descent.
"I have heard," continued the Queen, through her interpreter, "that youhave been shipwrecked, that one of your number is a Maker of Medicine,and that you helped one of my people--even saved his life--soon afteryour arrival in my country. Is that so?"
Mark explained that they had not been shipwrecked, but had been left onshore, and obliged to fly from the natives of the coast; that he wasindeed a maker of medicine, though his training had not been quitecompleted when he left England, and that he had rendered a triflingservice to an unfortunate man who had slipped in climbing a cliff, buthe could hardly be said to have saved the man's life.
While he was speaking, Mark observed that his friend Ravelo stood closeto the Queen's chair, in front of a group of officers, from whichcircumstance he concluded that he must be a man of some note, and thatit was he who had procured the deliverance of himself and his friendsfrom prison.
"Tell the young Maker of Medicine," said the Queen, in a loud voice, sothat all the Court might hear, "that Europeans have behaved very illhere of late, so ill that they had to be banished from my country; forI, Ranavalona, permit no one, whether his face be black, brown, orwhite, to meddle with my government. They fancied, I suppose, thatbecause I am a woman I am weak and ignorant, and unable to rule! Theyhave now found their mistake, and Christians shall not again bepermitted to dwell in my country. But I am Ranavalona, and I will dowhat I please. If I choose to make an exception I will do it. If anyone thinks to oppose my will he shall die. The man whose life was savedby this young Maker of Medicine is my son Rakota--my beloved son. Is itnot so?"
The Queen looked round as she spoke, and the man whom we have hithertostyled Ravelo bent his head and replied, "It is so," whereupon therewere murmurs of surprise and approval among the courtiers.
"Now," continued the Queen, "as I am grateful, and as I want a physicianat Court just now, I appoint this young Maker of Medicine to that post,and I appoint his black companion to be his servant. Do you all hearthat?"
All the courtiers made murmurs of assent.
"Tell them all that, Secretary," said the Queen.
Mark Breezy and his friends had considerable difficulty in concealingtheir astonishment when "all that" was explained to them, but they hadthe presence of mind to acknowledge the information with a profoundobeisance. At the same time Mark explained, with much modesty, that hewas not entitled to aspire to or to accept so high and honourable aposition, as he had not yet obtained the standing which entitled him topractise in his own country.
"Tell him," said the Queen, sternly, "that I, Ranavalona, have nothingto do with the customs of England, and have no regard for them. If hedoes not accept what I offer, instant banishment--perhaps worse--will behis portion!"
"Oh! massa, accep' him _at once_!" murmured Ebony in an undertone, andin much anxiety.
Mark took his advice, and agreed to become Physician to the Court of theQueen of Madagascar, without stipulating either as to salary orprivileges!
"I am also told," said the Queen, with a smile of condescension to herphysician, "that your English companion is full of music, and performson a wonderful little instrument. I have a good band, which was trainedby your countrymen, but they have no such little instrument. Let theMan of t
he Sea perform."
On this being translated Mark looked at the Man of the Sea, and couldwith difficulty restrain a burst of laughter at the expression of hiscountenance.
"What!" exclaimed Hockins, "me play my whistle afore this here Court?Unpossible!"
"You'll have to try," said Mark, "unless you wish for instantbanishment--or something worse!"
"Oh! 'Ockins, blaze away at _once_!" murmured Ebony, with renewedanxiety, for the "something worse" was to him suggestive ofimprisonment, torture, and death!
Thus pressed, the seaman put his hand into the inner pocket of hisjacket and drew forth his cherished flageolet. In a few minutes theQueen and all her courtiers were enthralled by the music. It was notonly the novelty and bird-like sweetness of the instrument itself thatcharmed, but also the fine taste and wonderful touch of the sailor. Thewarbling notes seemed to trill, rise and fall, and float about on theatmosphere, as it were, like fairy music, filling the air with melodyand the soul with delight.
"Good! let the Man of the Sea be also cared for. Give them quarters inthe palace, and see that they all attend upon us in the gardento-morrow."
So saying, the Queen arose, swept into the palace, and left hercourtiers to follow.
Immediately Prince Rakota came forward and shook hands with Mark.
"So then, your Highness," said the latter, "_we_ are indebted to you forall this kindness."
"It is only one small ting," returned the Prince in broken English. "AmI not due to you my life? Come, I go show you your house."
On the way, and after entering the house which was appropriated to theiruse, Mark learned from the Prince that their approach to the capital hadbeen discovered and announced by spies long before their arrival; thatit was they who had discovered and revealed to the Queen Hockins'swonderful powers with the "little tube." Also that it was well-knownwho had guided them through the country, and that Ravoninohitriniony wasbeing diligently sought for in his hiding-places.
This last piece of information filled the three friends with deepconcern and anxiety.
"He has been so _very_ kind to us," said Mark, "and I know is one of themost generously disposed and law-respecting subjects of her Majesty."
"That not help for him if he tumbles into the hands of my mother," saidthe Prince, sadly. "He is a Christian. He has run to the forest, andhas made others to fly."
"But you have much power with the Queen," pleaded Mark, "could you notinduce her to pardon him?"
"Yes--if he will give up Christianity--if not do that--no!"
"That he will never do," said Mark, firmly. "I know him well. He willrather die than deny Christ."
"He is likely to die then," returned Rakota, "for my mother is fixed toroot up the religion of Jesus from the land."
"But surely _you_ don't agree with her," broke in Hockins at this point.
"No, I not agree," said the Prince. "But I can not command the Queen.Some time it very hard to move her even a leetle. My only power withher is love."
"Das de greatest power in de world!" chimed in Ebony.
"It is," returned the Prince, "and you be very sure I use the power muchas I can for save your friend."