The Fugitives: The Tyrant Queen of Madagascar

by R. M. Ballantyne

  CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE.

  THE FOREST REFUGE--VOALAVO IS WAR-LIKE, RAVONINO PEACEFUL, AND FALSEFRIENDS DANGEROUS.

  We change the scene, now, to the profoundest recesses of the tangledforest. Here, in the deep shadow cast by the over-arching trees, twonative girls wandered out at an early hour one morning to converse aboutthings that interested them deeply--if the varying aspects of theirexpressive faces were any index to their thoughts. One was tall, dark,majestic in mien and grave of countenance. The other was comparativelyfair, of small stature, and evidently of lively yet timid disposition.Need we say that they were Ramatoa, the sister of Laihova, and Ra-Ruth,the sister of Ravonino?

  "I fear they will never return to us," said Ra-Ruth, laying her hand onher friend's arm.

  "Say not so," replied Ramatoa, "we know not what blessings our God hasin store for us. Only this we are sure of, that _all_ things will worktogether for our good."

  "But the Queen is so cruel!" objected her little friend. "When heranger is roused she will do anything. Besides, has not the messengertold us that the soldiers have been sent in hundreds over the country tosearch for Christians, and spies are about everywhere. Laihova, too,has been separated from them, he says. Perhaps he has been caught."

  "I like not this messenger," said the other, with a touch of sternnessin her look and tone. "He seems to me like a wolf in sheep's clothing.He does not refer all things to God as `Our Father,' and in his use ofthe Word he does not seem sincere. I trust that he is not one of thespies."

  As she spoke her companion uttered a quick exclamation. There was arustling in the bushes, and next moment, Laihova, springing out, claspedRa-Ruth in his arms.

  "Thank God," he said, in deep earnest tones, as he released her. "I amnot too late!"

  "Brother," said Ramatoa, anxiously, laying a hand on the man's arm, "areyou alone?"

  "Yes. Have not Ravoninohitriniony and Rafaravavy arrived?"

  "No. And--and what of Mamba?" asked Ramatoa.

  An expression of profound sadness crossed the features of Laihova.Dropping his eyes on the ground he stood silent. For a few moments hissister did not speak, but her breast heaved with suppressed emotion. Atlast she asked in a low voice--

  "Has he been martyred?"

  "No--he is not dead. But--he is condemned to slavery in chains forlife."

  Terrible though this fate was, the news of it evidently conveyed ameasure of relief to Ramatoa, for it assured her that her lover was atall events not dead. Where there is life there is hope!

  "I fear this will kill his mother," she said. "Poor Reni-Mamba is sofull of love and gentleness, and her sorrows have been very heavy.Strange that her husband and son should share the same fate--perpetualslavery! Yet it is not perpetual. Death will set them free. Come tothe cave and let us break the sad news."

  As they walked through the forest, Ramatoa gave her brother a rapidoutline of what had occurred since the day he left.

  "They will be deeply grieved," she said, "that our friends are not withyou. We had all hoped that you would arrive together. A messenger whohas just come did indeed tell us that you had been separated from them,but all supposed that you would easily overtake them."

  "True, sister, but I over-shot them. That has been the way of it,"returned Laihova, regretfully.

  "Still, I feel sure that they will escape," continued the girl,"Ravoninohitriniony has such a firm trust in God, and he is so strongand brave and wise. Besides, he has the blood of the white man in hisveins--he will succeed or die!"

  This compliment to her brother, whether deserved or not, had the effectof raising a flush of pleasure on Ra-Ruth's little face.

  "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 atribe that does not love Jesus? And he was not a Christian when I sawhim last."

  "He is a Christian _now_," returned the girl, quietly, "if I may judgehim by his works. He has been our main stay since you went away. Notlong after you left us he came, saying that you had told him about Jesusdelivering men from the power of sin, and he wanted to know about Him.You may be sure we were glad to tell him all we knew. He has never saidhe is a Christian, but he has stayed with us ever since, and hunted forus. He is as active as the youngest men in getting and bringing in wildfruits, and the youths are glad to have his wisdom and advice. Helistens to us while we sing, and he prays in secret--I know that hedoes, for I have overheard him. Moreover, he has brought some of hispeople over to our side. He seems to be particularly fond ofReni-Mamba, and she is fond of him--for he is funny."

  "Yes; he is _very_ funny," responded Laihova, with profound gravity.

  On reaching the cavern which we have described in a former chapter, theyfound that most of the men were out, and the women were busy with thoseculinary labours which tend to rejoice the hearts of hunters when theyreturn home.

  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 fewweeks before. Besides teaching the chief his letters, Ra-Ruth had readto him large portions of the book, which had so fascinated him that hehad applied himself to his letters with a will, and, being an able man,had begun to make rapid progress. His desire, also, to be able to readthe Bible--when he began to understand what it was, and to perceive thesignificance of some of its soul-stirring words--stimulated his activemind to greater exertions.

  The unfortunate poet, Razafil, also fell in with the wonderful allegoryin that cave for the first time, and it helped in no small degree toturn his mind from brooding over the fate of his dear martyred daughterRaniva. His mind was quicker than that of the chief to perceive thegrand truths which underlie the story, and he was not a littlecomforted. Thus these two men, so very differently constituted, sat atthe feet of the fair Ra-Ruth, who being, as we have said, timid andrather distrustful of herself, was overjoyed to find that even she couldhelp in advancing the cause of her Lord.

  But it rather perplexed the little maiden when these same men, havingbeen gifted with inquiring minds, puzzled themselves over the questionwhy the Prince of the country in _The Pilgrim's Progress_ did not killApollyon at once and have done with him.

  "Or make him good," suggested Voalavo.

  "True, that would have been better, perhaps, than killing him," assentedRazafil.

  Like millions of the human race before them, the two men got out oftheir depth here; but unlike too many thousands of the same race, theydid not permit such difficulties to interfere with their unshakenconfidence in the love and wisdom of that God, who certainly "doeth allthings well," whatever we in our pride and partial ignorance may thinkof Him.

  Voalavo's studies on the day we write of did not however engross him somuch as to prevent his starting up in great excitement when he heard thesound of Laihova's voice. He hastened to the entrance of the cavern,and received his friend with his wonted effusive heartiness. But he wasdamped considerably on learning that Laihova came alone, that Mamba wasenslaved, and that Ravonino and Rafaravavy were still wandering in theforest, pursued by their enemies.

  "Come, my young men!" he shouted, flying into a sudden state ofindignation, and clapping his hands together like a pistol-shot, "wewill go and rouse our warriors. Arm, and make to the rescue! We willdethrone the Queen--this Ranavalona--usurper! Why should such a womanlive on, filling the land with blood and misery!"

  "My friend," said Laihova, in a soothing tone, as he laid his hand onthe chief's shoulder, "the arms of Christians are not the arms of asoldier. We wrestle not against flesh and blood."

  "That is idle talk," exclaimed the unpacified chief. "Did not Christianuse a sword? Did not Greatheart fight Apollyon with a sword?"

  "True, but these were spiritual weapons," said Laihova. "Moreover, ifyou did rouse your people and march to
the capital, what could you do?Your whole tribe would appear but as a handful of dust in the eyes ofthe Hova army."

  "I would that we were a handful of dust!" snorted the chief, "and we'ddash ourselves into the eyes of the Hova army and kill them while theywept!"

  "But there is nothing to prevent us from going forth to meet ourfriends," rejoined Laihova, "and we can take our spears. If they standin need of help we may give it."

  This proposition fell in entirely with the war-like Voalavo's views,and, a band of the young hunters and fruit-gatherers entering the caveat that moment, he urged them to make haste with their dinner and getready for the war-path.

  Ever-ready--as young blades usually are--for fighting, these youthsthrew down their loads quickly.

  And, truly, judging from the contents of the cavern larder that day,there was no prospect of famine before the persecuted people. In onepart of that larder there was abundance of beef and pork, also of game,such as guinea-fowl, pheasants, partridges, peacocks, turkeys, geese,ducks, pigeons, turtle-doves, and snipe. In another place the vegetableand fruit-gatherers had piled up little mounds of bread-fruit,pine-apples, cocoa-nuts, yams, plantains, bananas, manioc-root, melons,etcetera, much of which had been gathered from regions at a considerabledistance from their place of abode. Thus they had laid up store formany days, and felt somewhat elated.

  But there were two hearts there which found it impossible to rejoice,and very hard to submit to God. Reni and Ramatoa retired to a darkrecess in the cave, and mingled their tears and prayers together.

  "Oh! it would have been better if he had died!" sobbed Reni, "for thenhe would have been with Jesus; but now it is awful to think of thelife-long slavery; and we shall never more see him on earth."

  "Nay, mother, do not think thus. Whatever God does _must_ be best,"returned Ramatoa in a tremulous voice. "Let us try to say `Thy willbe--'"

  She broke down and finished the sentence with prayer for strength andfor a submissive spirit.

  Meanwhile the war-like expedition, on which Voalavo and his youths wereonly too ready to enter was rendered needless by the sudden appearanceof Ravonino himself, with Rafaravavy and Sarah! After encounteringinnumerable hardships and dangers those three had at last arrived attheir forest stronghold in safety.

  "So then," remarked Laihova to Ra-Ruth, after the first enthusiasticreception was over, "I have only over-shot them by a few hours afterall!"

  "We were just going to sally forth to look for you--and fight if needbe," said Voalavo.

  "There was no need for that," returned Ravonino, "the Lord was ourprotector."

  "Where is Reni-Mamba? Have you heard, mother, about your son?"

  Reni and Ramatoa, who had pressed forward, looked surprised, for theirfriend did not speak like a man who had bad news to tell.

  "Laihova has told me, truly," replied Reni, still whimpering, "that mydear boy is worse than dead."

  "Not so, mother," said Ravonino, taking the poor woman's hand, "be ofgood cheer; Mamba is not dead. I know not indeed where he is at thismoment, having been pressed in my own flight, but I know that the Queenhas set him free--this much I learned from our white friend, MarkBreezy. More I cannot tell, but is not this cause for joy andgratitude? Come, let us return thanks to our Father."

  Most of those present were glad to give vent to their feelings in prayerand praise, though some there were who, having been led to join the bandby the mere force of circumstances, had little heart in the matter.Certainly Voalavo was not among these last, for the enthusiasm whichinclined him to fight with violence also induced him to pray withvigour.

  When this appropriate act of worship was over, food was prepared for thewearied travellers, and in a short time the whole party was seated roundthe cooking-fire, illuminated by the torches on the wall, and listeningeagerly to Ravonino as he recounted his adventures.

  "I fear much," he said in conclusion, "that another dark season is aboutto fall on us. It may be like the last--or worse."

  Ravonino here referred, (and with bated breath), to the terribleoutbreak of persecution which had occurred several years previously,when, at the lowest estimate, about two thousand men and women wereseverely punished, and many tortured and slain, because they professedor favoured the religion of Jesus.

  As, one after another, various members of the party detailed the sadsufferings or deaths of relatives and friends, the feelings of allbecame deeply affected with grief, those of some with a considerabledash also of indignation. Among the latter of course was Voalavo.

  "Why," he cried suddenly, giving his hands the accustomed pistol-shotclap that betrayed his inability to contain himself, "why do we sufferall this? Why not assemble the tribes, go up at once to Antananarivo,take it, cut off the Queen's head, and put Prince Rakota on the throne?"

  "Ay, why not?" demanded several of the more fiery young men.

  "Because the Lord tells us to overcome evil with good," answeredRavonino, quietly. Then, wishing to draw attention from the subject, heinquired for the messenger who had brought news of his own escape.

  All looked round as if expecting the man to answer for himself, but noone replied.

  Search was made, and then it was discovered that the messenger hadhastily taken his departure from the place.