The said poison is spread upon three little
pieces of skin, each about an inch in size, cut from the back of a plump
fowl. These he rolls together, and administers to the supposed culprit.
"In former days," says Madame Pfeiffer, "almost every person who was
subjected to this ordeal died in great agony; but for the last ten years
any one not condemned by the queen herself to take the tanghin, is
allowed to make use of the following antidote. As soon as he has taken
the poison, his friends make him drink rice-water in such quantities that
his whole body sometimes swells visibly, and quick and violent vomiting
is brought on. If the poisoned man be fortunate enough to get rid not
only of the poison, but of the three little skins (which latter must be
returned uninjured), he is declared innocent, and his relations carry him
home in triumph, with songs and rejoicings. But if one of the pieces of
skin should fail to reappear, or if it be at all injured, his life is
forfeited, and he is executed with the spear, or by some other means."
{204}
* * * * *
During Madame Pfeiffer's stay at Antananarivo a conspiracy broke out,
provoked by the queen's cruelty. It failed, however, in its object; and
those concerned in it were mercilessly punished. The Christians became
anew exposed to the suspicions and wrath of Ranavala; and Madame Pfeiffer
and her companions found themselves in a position of great peril.
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