3-071-021 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Sketches in Madagascar: crossing the Mourondava River, near Mohabo, 1881. Engraving from a sketch by Staff-Surgeon J. N. Stone, Royal Navy. 'Captain C. E. Foote, with a party of officers and seamen under his command, landed at Mourondava, on the south-west coast of Madagascar, having been invited by the Hova Governor of the province, and travelled eighty miles inland to Mohabo, where they were courteously and hospitably entertained. The native conveyances named filanzanas were kindly supplied for all; these are a kind of open palanquin, formed of two stout poles, between which is fixed a seat either of leather or strong canvas; the feet being supported by a transverse piece of wood, suspended by a string at each end from the poles. There are four bearers to each filanzana, who perform wonders in surmounting the difficulties of the road. The Mourondava river was thus crossed at a broad and shallow ford. Beside the carriers for travellers and luggage, an armed guard of honour was sent with the British visitors as far as Anakabé, a distance of between forty and fifty miles; so that the entire party numbered about one hundred'. From "Illustrated London News", 1881.