The day following our pleasant visit to Márosalázana and its bright scholars, we reached Ambatondrazáka once more. Most reluctantly we quitted our kind friend the governor and his people to plunge once more into the wilderness. But time was pressing; we explained the case to our bearers, stimulated them by the offer of a day’s pay; and they bore us vigorously over the rough hills. More than ever we admired the soft, rich foliage of the forest; we climbed the lofty “Gate of rock,” and rested for another quiet Sunday at Anjozórobe. Again we traversed the basin of the Mánanára; crossed over the granite moors; had a pic-nic tiffin in “Boulder Glen”; and slept in peace in the handsome church of Ambohitrérena. The next day, July 7th, at noon, we reached the capital, glad and grateful for the wonders we had seen. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ CHAPTER IX. OUR JOURNEY TO MOJANGÁ. Last Meetings in the Capital—Farewell interview with the Queen—Departure to Vonizongo—North Vonizongo—Angavo—The five Garrison Towns—Religious condition of their People—Crossing the Wilderness—No man’s land—The Cataracts of the Ikopa—Vast deposits of Drift—Town of Mevatanána—Voyage in Canoes—Junction of the Ikopa and Betsiboka Rivers—Amparihibe—Crocodiles in the River—The Level Plains—Town of Trabonjy, its Governor and People—Marovoay—Arrival at Mojangá: Its Churches and People—Religious condition of the District—Trade and History of Mojangá. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ CHAPTER IX. OUR JOURNEY TO MOJANGÁ. OUR work in Imerina was done: we had only a fortnight left to make our preparations for another voyage, to complete sundry matters of business, and say farewell to our friends. The day after our return we attended the opening services of Mr. Jukes’s church at Ankadibeváva on the east slope of the city-hill. The Directors of the Society had assisted the native congregation by a grant of £300: and for that sum and other contributions raised by the people, Mr. Pool had erected a substantial and handsome building, convenient for worship and an ornament to the city. The church, when the seats are finished, will hold eight hundred people. The congregations were large at the opening services, and as in other lands on similar occasions the ladies appeared in bright and even gorgeous dresses. Several new hymns and tunes, prepared for the occasion, were most effectively sung by choirs from various churches and the congregation at large. Amongst other addresses, a touching sermon was preached by an officer high in the Government and the community, from the text: “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”