Page:The Folk-Lore Journal Volume 1 1883.djvu/316

308 a little further she came to that great stream where are the quick canoes of Andriambahoaka of the north. And as she spied him there, at the crossing-place, she sang out—

And when Andriambahoaka heard her he sent his retainers and swift rowers, and his servants, saying, "Get quickly into the swift canoe, Rafara, and don't delay, lest you be devoured by those savage beasts." So the messengers went at the top of their speed, and quickly brought the swift canoes. And immediately they arrived they put Rafara with all haste into the canoe, and rowed hard. And hardly had they got away when up came the two savage creatures, and wondered to see Rafara and the rowers already yonder, halfway across. So the fosa said to the antamba, "Be strong, old fellow, for we have come to our home," meaning the water. The antamba replied, "That's it, old fellow, we will have them this minute." So they both plunged into the water, and pursued Rafara and those who had met her, but did not at all overtake her, for Rafara and her companions got clear across while the beasts were still in the middle of the stream. Then was Andriambahoaka glad that Rafara was not killed. And he went to a skilful angler, and said, "Contrive your best, my man, for yonder come those frightful beasts; but if you can manage to kill them I will give you a fine fat ox every year." So the skilful angler replied, "Trust me for that, my lord, for we won't suffer any one to be killed, for that is why you dwell with your people."

And upon that the fosa and antamba got across, and were about to go up to the town, for they sought Rafara to devour first. So the skilful angler watched by the gateway, and just as the beast was about to enter he cast his hook, and the fosa was caught, and then, as the antambo came after, he cast again, and so both were killed. And all the people of the town rejoiced, together with Andriambahoaka, at the death of the creatures, and they all thanked the skilful angler, and let the dead bodies be carried away down the stream. And Andriambahoaka performed his promise to the skilful angler, who returned his thanks.

Then said Andriambahoaka to Rafara, "Why was it you were