He succeeded
in what seemed a hopeless effort by shooting an arrow, to which a strong
cord was attached, over the top. The arrow fell on the other side of the
mountain, at a point which could be attained without much difficulty. A
stout rope was then fastened to the cord, drawn over the mountain, and
secured on both sides; and Peter Botte hauled himself up by it to the
topmost crest, and thus immortalized his name. The ascent has since been
accomplished by English travellers.
A trip was also undertaken to the Trou de Cerf, or "Stag's Hole," a
crater of perfectly regular formation, brimful of bloom and foliage. As
no sign or mark betrays its whereabouts, the traveller is seized with
astonishment on suddenly reaching its brink. His astonishment soon wears
off, and he feels an intense delight in contemplating the view before
him. It comprises three-fourths of the island: majestic mountains
clothed in virgin forests almost to their very crests; wide-spreading
plains, green with the leafiness of the sugar-cane plantations; cool
verdurous valleys, where the drowsy shadows softly rest; and beyond and
around the blue sea with a fringe of snow-white foam marking the
indentations of the coast.
* * * * *
On the 25th of April 1857 Madame Pfeiffer sailed for Madagascar, and
after a six-days' voyage reached the harbour of Tamatave.
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