spices, and the great food-supply of our people--rice, besides minerals
which make nations rich, such as iron and gold? Yes, we have everything
that is desirable and good for man. But we have a climate which does
not suit the white man. Yet _some_ white men, like yourself, manage to
live here. Is not this a voice, from God? He does not speak to us with
the tongue of man, but He speaks with a still, small voice, as easy to
understand. He has surrounded our island with unhealthy shores. Does
not that tell the white man not to come here? Your London Missionary
Society sent us the Bible. God bless them for that! They have done
well. But they have done enough. We desire not the interference of
England or France in our affairs. We do not want your divisions, your
sects. We have the Word. God will do the rest. We want no white
nations to _protect_ us. We want to be let alone to protect and develop
ourselves, with the Bible for our guide and the Holy Spirit as our
teacher. You Englishmen were savages once, and the Word of God came and
raised you. You only continue to be great because the Bible keeps you
still in the right path. What it has done for you it will do for us.
All we ask for is to be let alone!"

The Secretary had become quite excited on this theme, and there is no
saying how much longer he might have gone on if Ebony had not returned,
scratched, bruised, bleeding, panting and perspiring, but jubilant, with
an enormous butterfly captive in his net, and the cause of science
advanced.

Having secured the specimen, they set off at once to visit the hot
springs, after pricking a traveller's tree with a spear and obtaining a
refreshing draught of cool clear water therefrom.

Fountains of mineral waters have been found in many, parts of
Madagascar, and among them several which are called Rano-mafana, or
"warm waters." These vary both in temperature and medicinal properties.
The spot when reached was found to be a small cavity in the rocks which
was delightfully shaded by the leaves of the wild fig, and by a number
of interwoven and overhanging bamboos. The branches of the fig-trees
spread directly across the stream.

Hastening to the fountain, Hockins thrust his hand in, but quickly
pulled it out again, for the water was only a few degrees below the
boiling-point.

"Too hot to bathe in!" he said.

"But not too hot _here_," remarked Ebony, going to a pool a little
further from the fountain-head,