ng time their male
friends could learn nothing as to their fate.

"It is this prolonged uncertainty that's so hard to bear," remarked
Ravonino to Mark one day, lifting his hands high above his head, and
letting them fall, with the clanking chains, into his lap.

"True, true," replied the youth, shortly--for confinement was beginning
to tell unfavourably on himself.

"Das w'ere it is," remarked Ebony, endeavouring to brighten up a little,
but with only moderate success, "it's sottin still an' doin' nuffin dat
kills. What you tink, 'Ockins?"

"Ay, ay," assented the seaman; and as for a long time nothing more than
"ay, ay," had been got out of Hockins, Ebony relapsed into silence.

Things had reached this lugubrious pass when an event occurred which
materially affected the condition of the prisoners, and considerably
altered the history of Madagascar.

CHAPTER TWENTY NINE.

THREATENED DEATH AVERTED--BURIED ALIVE--END OF THE TYRANT QUEEN--REVOLT
CRUSHED AND RADAMA THE SECOND CROWNED.

One morning, shortly after sunrise, Mark was awakened by the entrance of
their jailor. By that time he had grown so accustomed to clanking
chains, shooting bolts, and such-like sounds, that he looked up sleepily
and without much interest, but a thrill or qualm passed through him when
he observed that the jailor was followed by Hater of Lies with his
silver spear.

Still more were he and his awakened comrades horrified when the names of
Ravoninohitriniony and Voalavo were sternly called out. Both men
promptly stood up.

"At last!" said the former, quietly, and without a trace of excitement.
"Well, I am glad, for it is the Lord's will. Farewell, my friends," he
added, looking back as he was led away, "we shall all meet again in
great joy--farewell!"

Evidently Voalavo did not take things so quietly. His lips were firmly
compressed, his face was deeply flushed, and his brows were sternly
contracted, as they led him out. But for his chains the chief would
certainly have given his jailors some trouble.

The whole thing passed so quickly that it seemed to those left behind
like a dream when they found themselves alone. Ebony sat down, put his
face on his knees, and fairly burst into tears.

"Oh! Lord," he sobbed, "send 'em quick for me, an' let's hab it ober!"

It seemed as if the poor fellow's prayer was about to be answered, for
again the door opened, and the Secretary entered.

"Be not afraid," he said, observing th