Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1877-02-21

When that is put up, hands off cocoa-
nuts Other things are tobooed by pro-
clamation."
"Taat would be good fashion to
introduce at home" said Will "My
grandfather would like to taboo his cher
ries from the boys, I know"
ooh, they taboo everything here"
said Bob. "In one town they cannot
sell their chickens because chief has
put them under taboo; in another no
one can drink out of cup; in
another, sail up q certain river. Old
Ratu Wainuna has tabooed his hands,
his wives have to feed him, and his re-
lations work for him. But for that
matter the Kings barber never uses his
hands for anything except dressing his
masters hair. He is always fed"
" I mean to taboo my head if I have
to work hard getting ready for college.
l wonder how DR.. Winslow will like
that? He is great on rules and this
would be q good one to introduce. But
l say, Bob, you missionaries don't have
to observe these customs ?"
"Not much!" ejaculated Bob. awe
There would be trouble all the time if
we forgot their rules of etiquette. But
bark! Do you want to see the king
drink his y0gorao }"
eyes, indeed" answered Will, as
they ran rapidly up path and through
the mangrove bushes toward the vii
lage.
The kings house stood little apart
from the others, and was larger and
more finely furnished with mats and
curtains. In front Of it stood herald
who WAS shouting, Yogonaa, yago1aa !"
From every direction came the an
swering shout, "Mamn, Mama /"
"Chew it The chief man of the
village, the priests and young man,
were hurrying to the house, where the
king was lying on a raised dias. A fine
new mast, as they call the scarf which
constitutes their dress, was wrapped
around him; his face was tatooed
deliberately; ne had on necklace of
sharks teeth, earrings in his ears, and
a wreath of flowers on his head. Bob
was too well known to be received with
ceremony, but Will was greeted with
much respect. He was offered seat
on a gaily decorated mat, and as soon
as he sat down the king gently clapped
his hands three times and said: "Come
with peace !"
He had been formally introduced
the day before, so after this greeting
the ceremony of preparing the yogo1aa
went On without further attention to
the boy.
A half dozen young men were sitting
near the bowl, each having piece of
the yago,aa root ready to chew into q
little round ball. When they finished
this operation, which filled Will with
disgust, each put his ball into the bowl
The man who was making the drink
then tilted the bowl toward the king,
who shook his head. TWAS not enough.
More of the root was then distributed,
the young men again chewed industri-
Ously, and when the bowl was again
shown the king be was satisfied. The
herald cried out:
"Sir, with respects, the yago7sa is col
lected!"
"Loba"
"Wring itv' answered the king.
"Loba" repeated the herald to the
brewer.
Water was then brought, little was
poured in, and the balls pressed; more
followed until the bowl was full. Then
the skill of the brewer was shown in
the rolling, twisting and squeezing the
root, the straining and bringing it
finally to clear, dark liquid. 1t was
then poured into q bowl, the kings
chief wife took this. she held il a foot
above the kings head, he opened his
his mouth, and she poured it i'll.
AS Will watched the steady stream
running into the kings mouth he whis-
pered to Bob:
81 would choke to death if [ was to
try that! How do they ever learn it %
Bob laughed.
"You had better ask our little Sam.
He has been practicing it all summer.
Mamma often wonders how he gets his
aprons so wet! But don't you want
your breakfast? I am as hungry as q
L VI