ad as
follows:--

"First. The Christians are accused of despising the idols. Second.
They are always praying. Third. They will not swear, but merely
affirm. Fourth. Their women are chaste. Fifth. They are of one mind
with regard to their religion. Sixth. They observe the Sabbath as a
sacred day."

Strange to say, this catalogue of so-called accusations deeply affected
the queen with grief and rage.

"I swear," she said, with flashing eyes and clenched hands, "that I will
root out this religion of the Europeans if it should cost the life of
every Christian in the land! Go. Leave me!"

For a fortnight subsequent to this the palace and Court appeared as if
in mourning for some public calamity. No band played; no amusements
were allowed, and a dread of impending evil seemed to weigh upon the
spirits of all classes. During this time, also, measures were taken to
effect the final destruction, as far as possible, of all that had been
done in the country by the teaching of the missionaries and their
converts.

At last the storm burst. A Kabary, or immense general assembly of the
nation, was called by proclamation at the capital. The people were only
too well aware of what this signified to doubt that the Queen was
thoroughly in earnest and in one of her worst moods. With trembling
hearts they hastened to obey the summons.

CHAPTER TWENTY.

A GREAT KABARY IS HELD, FOLLOWED BY DREADFUL MARTYRDOMS.

No rank or age was exempt from attendance at the great assembly.
Soldiers were sent about the city and suburbs to drive the people
towards the place of assembly near the palace, and the living stream
continued to pour onwards until many thousand souls were gathered
together at Imahamasina.

Here a body of troops fifteen thousand strong was posted, and in the
earlier part of the day the cannon along the heights of the city
thundered out a salute to inspire the people with awe and respect for
the royal authority. The highest civil and military officers were there
in their varied and gay trappings, but Ranavalona herself did not appear
in person. Her message was conveyed to the people by one of the chief
officers of state. It was interspersed here and there with the various
titles of the Queen, and was to the following effect:--

"I announce to you, oh ye people! I am not a sovereign that deceives.
I therefore tell to you what I purpose to do, and how I shall govern
you. Who, then, is that man who w