Arizona weekly citizen., 1890-10-25
RATU TANITO'S WOOING.


 Ratu Tanito, son of the great King Tui
 Natubua, dwelt in Viti Levu, which come call Fiji. He was in stature like to she tree mbaka, and light shone in his young eyes, so that his presence could be known at night. His canoe sped with the wind; his dancing in the V ar dance brought forth 8 great shout from the people; his arm broke apart the stronges; breakers, and men called him "The Kings Arrow"
 Now when the meke was ended that they had danced on the eighteenth birth day of Ratu Tanito, Katubua called bit son to him and said:
 "My son, shall my line end with your
 Ratu Tanito answered: "Not %, my father, for will marry" Then the king said: "Ratu Tanito. choose wife, observing these three re- quiremeuts: First, that she be young; cecond, that she be strong, and third that she be obedient."
 "My father," replied the young man. ''is 1t not also c requirement. that she be beautiful?"
 The king answered: Obedience is beauty"
 "Tui Viti," said Ratu Tanito. "I have chosen a wife. She is young, for she vas born on the day I first stood erect. She is strong, for she can abide the grasp of my hand without hinching. She is Obedient, for she has honored her pa- rents. And she is beautiful as the day and lovely as the night. When see her my heart is as a basin in which the springs surge hotly up and fall back is tumult."
 "Who is the maiden?" said the king.
 'Her pame is Ekesa," the youth re piled. "She dwells in Vanua Levu, and Is the daughter of Savenaka, its king"
 Have you spoken to her of love?' the king asked.
 "No," said Ratu Tanito.
 ''Go and speak with her concerning her parents" said the king.
 Tui Katubua having thus commanded, Ratu Tanito departed by night in his canoe to Vanua Levu. And on a day he returned and his brow was clear; and he came before the king and said: "Tui Viti, have performed your commands and have spoken with the Maiden Ekesa concerning her parents"
 The king received the words of Ratu Tanito and, looking on his son, said; Abide now with me and at the end Of seven days go again to the maiden aE- speak with her concerning war and com. bats with the shark" And Ratu Ta.s- ito did as he was commanded and re- turned with a clear brow and said: "My father. have done according to yom commands"
 And again the king commanded him to abide for seven days, and returning tc the madden to speak with her concerning the gods. And it was done as he com. handed.
 Then said Tui Katubua, "Go now, my son, and speak with the maiden con. corning the government of men," AnS Ratu Tanito departed and came to Vanua Levu.
 But when he returned thence his brow was clouded and his eyes were angry, and as he reached his fathers presence he stepped with a firm step. "So now, my son." said the king, "your canoe has met with mischance and has been dashed against rock"
 "Not so," the young man replied. | "my canoe is save, oh, father"
 "I grieve, oh, my son." said the fa- ther. "that your safe departure has been opposed by the king of Vanua Levu, and | that he has sought to make you a pris- oner, for our vengeance will fall heavily | on his people,"
 "Savenaka, king of Vanua Levu, has | aowise impeded my departure from his island," said the youth, "nor has b, known of my presence there."
 "And yet anger sits above your eyes, said the old king.
 Then Ratu Tanito composed his fea- lures and Said to his father: "Forget, my father, that I have given way to an. ger because of a trife. Ekesa, the maid en of whom spoke, has said a foolish thing, and, recollecting it, my spirit was disturbed"
 "And what said the maiden?"
 Truly, she is of opinion that women are of equal spirit and understanding with men, and should divide the govern. ment of human affairs with them. think such were her words, but of a verity heard not certainly, being much provoked, and having driven my foot against root as we walked"
 "Then you have quareled with the maiden? said Tui Katubua.
 'No," said Ratu Tanito, "I am not 6 I forbore to answer her and after she had spoken for time, and had sworn she would marry no man who bsld himself her superior, left her."
 Then said Tui Katubua: "Go now, my son, and take war canoes, and fetck Ekesa before me-"
 "The king commands" said Ratu ranito. But father, no longer wish Io marry the girl; and the gods forbid that she should come so harm at noy aandsr
 "No harm shall come to her," said katubua. "Do you as I command" Accordingly, Ratu Tanito took war .anoes and went to Vanua Levu and bon Iway Ekess by force. And returning to Viti Levu he brought her before his ather, who sat in state, surrounded hy