laimed the throne, four loyal nobles asserted the
claim of Rakotobe. They were instantly speared in the palace. The
rightful heir was not present. Soldiers were sent to his residence to
seize and kill him, before he should hear of what was going on.

"Not content with shedding blood, the cruel monsters dug the poor
youth's grave before his eyes. When they were thus engaged Rakotobe
kneeled down to pray, and while he was in this position they speared him
and cast him into his grave. Soon after the father and mother of
Rakotobe were murdered--the last being starved to death. The brother of
Radama was destroyed in like manner. He lingered eight days in agony
before death came to his relief. Then Rakotobe's grandmother and other
relations were slain by Ranavalona's orders, and thus the murderess
waded through blood to the throne of Madagascar!

"Think you," continued the guide, with a passing gleam of the anger
which he strove to restrain, "think you that I owe allegiance to _such_
a queen?"

"Truly ye do not," answered the seaman, stoutly. "My only wonder is
that the people suffer her to reign."

Scarce heeding the reply the guide continued, with suppressed
excitement, "but she did not rest content. It was in the year 1829 that
she usurped the throne. Since then she has persecuted the Christians
for more than a quarter of a century, and at times blood has flowed like
water in our land. Bad as she is, however, she would have been worse
but for her love to her son. Ay, the woman whose heart is a stone to
most people is soft towards the young prince Rakota, in spite of the
fact that this youth is favourable to the Christians and has often stood
between them and his mother.

"About nine years after the queen's coronation my little sister was
born, and was secretly baptised--the name of Ruth being given to her.
It is our custom to prefix Ra to many names--so she is Ra-Ruth. Look at
her!" He pointed to a group not far-off, where the delicate and
graceful girl was busily assisting an elderly woman in her packing
arrangements. "See you the lady beside her, with the grey hair and the
sad worn face? That is my mother. I have said she was high at the
Court of Radama the First. She was young then. I was born the year
that Radama died. Ranavalona was fond of her, though she loved not her
Christianity, so she continued at the palace. The Queen also became
very fond of my little sister when she began to grow to