The North-Carolina standard., 1850-01-16
RALEIGH $3.50

LII eNOL Il H y $oAAO11ANA3 W.
to be young man of violent passions, sometime.
uncomfortable; but she still doubted his descending
to denounce her because she could not return his love
She padded quickly across the river to the village
and met Rene smoking his pipe before breakfast oi
looking at her. on her address and activity in padding
"a Malgache girl is not always flying from Low
en-" replied Rakar as she was about to pass.
What mean you! Flying from lover! that's
no. like your age and race" said Rene curiously.
tho anger of Ratsimi, who is heated with passion
because said loved him not.''
"And who, pretty one, is the favored brave =
asked Rene, gazing on her with admiration.
6 Rakar never accepted love from any one,' she
cried, and darted away.
Rene filed his pipe, and puffed away for some
time in silence, thinking the Zanak strange girl,
and then he went tdbreakast and forgot the
That evening there was solemn council held in the
camp of Metatana. It chanced to be the night o1
full moon, but the pale and cold luminary had no,
yet risen over the lofty trees, though its light already
pervaded the sky. A marshy space near the rivers
bank was the spot chosen for the deliberaon, which
never took place but the night of the full moon
The chief of the village sat raised pile of boughs
around were the men and women of the place in a
vast circle. Rene leant against tree behind Ova,
the old head of Matatana. The river lay dark and
gloomy beside them it's swift current darting by in
the gloom, and pouring at great distance into the
vast ocean. Beyond was the great Island of NADIA
gascar, and about two hundred yards distant low
bank covered with reeds, often infested by caimans
OF the most erocous and ravenous character, az are
most OF the rivers in those parts Suddenly the moon
rose in the sky, the water danced peucd and spar
outlines, and the whole tribe could be distinguished.
1t was ten o'clock, and the affair of the night COM
menced.
Rakar stood before the chief, accused by Ratsimi
of sorcery.
AS soon as the moon had risen, Ova stood up, and,
the assembly at length on the atrocous crime of
cey He pointed out its fatal consequences, visible
in the ailment which it produced, and the many
deaths yearly in the village, all to be attributed to the
wickedness of male and female conjurers. He was
sorry that girl so excellent and worthy should be
there on this CHARGE but he must justice done.
Ratsimi then declared his belief that she was a
witch, and related what he had seen that morning,
leaving out his declaration of love and his threat
He expressed profound grief at having to accuse one
so lovely and charming, and hoped she might clear
herself.
truth, and confess her crime-an act that would
have given her to certain death the instant and
which the Zanak declined performing, it may be pre-
sumed, for that very reason.
I" / am innocent" she cried aloud. Ratsimi is
false coward; the caimans will decide between US. !"
"As you will, SO be it," said the Judge.
"What are they about to dot" whispered Rene to
a Malgache near him.
Rakar will swim out to yonder Island. If guilty,
the caimans will devour her if innocent she will
come back in safety %
'But the river swarms with these savage monsters.
The girl is innocent; 1 swear i'll know it -
"She must bear the trial." said the supersttious
n fhorAS 10 dam
"lhis is mere savage stupidity: will speak ~
"And die" said his friend solemnly. "The peo-
pie will spear you if you dare to interfere"
Rene ground his teeth with rage, and moved near
er the young girl.
''Rakar," said Ova, &c confess: once more con-
jure you." O
The caimans shall Decide" replied the Zanak,
who conscious Of her innocence of anything beyond
trying harmless charm for harmless end, under
the advice of urewoman, felt safe; for she believ
ed in the efficacy of the trial.
"Ombiach." cried the chief, addressing the half
priest haf-executoner, tsshe is yours"
The ombiach took her by the hand, and led her
towards the river, the banks of which he address
ed conjuraton to the savage crocodes, calling on
them to rise and devour her if guilty, and left her to
a few young attached female friends, who braved
contagion, and stood by her to the last. Rakar
thanked them gently.
''Raara,' said she, turning to one, sgive me that
ribbon to tie my long hair; it may prevent my swim
ing freely"
The girl, much moved, gave the silken tie, and
herself aided to apply it.
Then Rakar took off her s;nbou and se;dch-gar,
mens equivalent to European petticoats-and plung-
ed into the river.
Rene shuddered, and, with the whole tribe, rush
ed to the banks of the stream. The bright moon IL
lumined the picture in every detail. There was the
bold swimmer, her head and arms only visible while
her long hair foated behind, driven back by the
ySvpd . onloo al Cha
with astonishing rapidity Rene felt sick he knew
the fatal character of the river, and had himself shot
caimans on the little island. The whole village
gazed on coldy, but some anxiously. Ratsimi stood
sulen and silent on one side. Every time there was
the least stir in the water, all expected to hear
kar was exposed could have killed her at one bite.
From twelve to twenty feet long, their voracity is
frightful, and many is the victim which falls under
their aws especially in these trials which at Matata
ma replaced the tanghin.
low murmur Of applause arose as Rakar stood
upright on the island, and then sat down to gain
breath. Rene thought the trial was now over but
the worst was to come. The unfortunate girl was
in very nest of crocodiles but, nothing terrified,
she rose after five minutes, and plunged headlong
into the stream, and disappeared. Rene held his
breath for half minute, at the expiration of which
she reappeared not, and then felt inexpressibe de-
light as she rose and landed. Again, after taking
breath, she plunged second and third time, and,
rare instance Of good fortune, reappeared often.
After time she entered the river once more, and
swan towards home.
s.The worst is now to come,' thought Rene "the
savage animals must be alarmed by all the noise.
God help her!" he added, as he caught sight of a
commotion in the water near the island, and next
minute saw huge caiman with his scales flashing
in the moons rays.
The young man closed his eyes, and when he
opened them again, Rakar was within fifty yards
Of the shore. With wild shout of Joy Rene fred
the two barrels of his fowlng piece, if by way of
triumph, but in reality in the desperate hope of check