Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1890-03-14

He il ignoslnl chat fhsy ars 70 -
ssid the king. -Tis . fair match -
hold. he i - much surpFissa - 20
are
And if-if losey' said EkesA
-Yoa shall marry him. = sid the king.
Then the king said: Princes. are voc
ready for the first s~sty'
But said Ekesa. Il have not yet &C.
copied your conditions.
"Ratu Tanito." said the king. behold
your wife"
.Nayrs cried the princess. II am in
your power Propose 70 me your testa
and let your son prepare fa 3 life a
slavery
Katubua tlIereapon caused two turtles
eggs to be laid before the princess and
said: Maiden, Of these two eggs which
will bring forth male turtle and which
a female. This is the first test that re
propose To you"
At this the princess crossed her srms
upon her breast and laughed scornfully.
This is test Of folly. not Of WISDOM
she said. Not all the men in the world
could declare Of which Of these two egg
should be born q male turtle and which
female.
But RAtu Tanito stepped forward
quickly and took the eggs into bis hand
and crushed them. ''Of neither he
said.
Then Katubua said: Maiden, though
In truth the question seemed idle. yet the
youth is right, for . man must know
when to act"
Next there were brought forth two
bowls, each covered with mat Of woven
grass. And Katubua said: This 10 the
second test OF these two bowls chooss
that which is full Of water"
Ekesa trembled, but quickly stretched
out her hand and laid it on the nearest
bowl. saying, This IN it."
Choose you, now" said the king tr
Ratu Tanito.
his breast and said: Not 80; for who
shall say that both bowls are not empty?
Then the king drew away the mats Of
woven grass and both bowls were empty.
Maiden" said Katubua. 1.-The youth il
right, for a man should know when te
speak"
Then Ekesa bit her lip and said: "You
juggle with me-"
yet" said Katubua. 1.-The youth has
detected our jugglery. But here is the
third test and perhaps you will still win
him for slave. Which loves child bot.
ter, his father or she who bore him."
Ekesa's eyes flashed, and she drew her
self up. ''Of truth, she who bore him.
she cried
Ratu Tanito turned and looked upon
the girl, and slowly there came into hia
flashing eyes tender light. but he did
not speak.
At this Ekesa called to the king "Tui
Viii, he does not speak,
"And he is right" said the king. 'Fol
a man should know when to be silent.
Then Ekesa stamped her foot and
cried aloud in bitterness: 1T was trap
You have warned him what answers hs
should make and have plotted between
you to shame me! Shame rather on you,
TUT Katubua!"
caught her by the wrist and said: Go
back to your people. Twill none Of you.
You have dishonored my father. &C
back to your people. Make way there
for the princess" he shouted to the
crowd. Make . canoe ready and set hel
ON the shores Of Vanua Levu."
But Ekesas eyes fell and she did moi
move; only stood in her place trembling.
Then KatubuA said: "Ekssa, my
daughter. the Philosopher Ravenixa has
asked: when should woman disobsy
her husband?'
And Ekesa lifted her fearful eyes and
answered: Never, oh. my father, save
when he bids her leave him."
And Of the union of Ekesa and of Ratu
Tanito was born the great king Ratu
Cakau. whom men called the Seat oil
Justice, and also Vunivalu. the Root ot
War-Philadelphia Tmes