The question arises of how the success of a revolt should be measured. As we have seen, enslaved people were able to overcome the crew on a number of vessels. However, the objective was not only to take control of the vessel, but also to return to land. This accounts for the fact that most revolts occurred while the vessel was still off the coast (Bialuschewski, 2011). The success of a revolt therefore depended primarily on how well organized the Malagasy people and the Europeans were. In 1775, a revolt broke out on the Flore and the entire Malagasy contingent on board fled ashore, which also happened on the Samaritaine and the Marquis de Castries. The Constance Adèle and the Bons Amis were forcibly abandoned (Allen, 2008; Journal de Benyowsky, 20 April 1775; Letter from Brillanne and Maillart to the Minister, Port-Louis, 6 April 1777. ANOM, COL, C5A/3, p. 15 and C4/91, f. 20).  
However, even if they were able to reach land safely, most enslaved people on board were likely to be recaptured by the Malagasy people and enslaved once more. ${ }^{5}$ In many cases, in a final act of desperation, captives threw themselves overboard after a failed revolt, preferring death to recapture. Sea crossings were fraught with danger for the Europeans, who were exposed to both the hazards of the sea and the threat of a hostile cargo. In some cases, the tension between the crew and the enslaved people ended in a fight to the death. For enslaved Malagasy people, insurrection frequently presented a final opportunity to escape bondage.  
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