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


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RATU TANIT0'S WOOING.
Ratu Tanito, son Of the great King Tui
Katubua, dwelt in Viii Lew, which
come call Fiji He was in stature like g
the tree mbaka, a0d q Light shone in hi,
young eyes, 80 that his presence could b
known at night. His canoe sped with
the wind: his dancing in the war danes
brought forth a great shout from the
people; his arm broke apart the stronges'
breakers, and men called him Tn.
Kings Arrow"
Now when the meke was ended thai
they had danced on the eighteenth birth
day Of Ratu Tanito, Katubua called hi
son to him and said:
MY son, shall my line end with your
Ratu Tanito answered: mot 50, my
father. for will marry"
Then the king said: "Ratu Tanito
choose q wife, observing these three 70
quirements: First, that she be young
second, that she be strong, and third
that she be obedient."
my father" replied the young man
sis it not also requirement that she be
beautiful
The king answered: obedience II
beauty"
"Tui VIII" said Ratu Tanito, II have
chosen a wife. She is young, for she
was born on the day first stood erect
She is strong for she can abide the GRASP
of my hand without fiinching. She /.
obedient, for she has honored her pa
rents. And she is beautiful as the day
and lovely as the night. When zee he,
my heart is as basin in which the
springs surge hotly up and fall hack in
tumult."
who is the maiden?" said the king
"Her name is Ekesa," the youth re
piled. "She dwells in Vanua Lew, and
is the daughter of Savenaka, its king"
"Have you spoken to her Of loveY" the
king asked
NO" said Ratu Ta1ito.
go and speak with her concerning
her parents" said the king.
TUT Katubua having thus commanded
Ratu Tanito departed by night in hi
canoe to vanua Lew. And on day he
returned and his brow was clear; and he
came before the king and said: "Tul
Viii, have performed your commando
and have spoken with the Maiden Ekes1
concerning her parents"
The king received the words of RatL
Tanito and. looking on his son, said
ABIDE now with me and at the end Of
seven days go again to the maiden and
speak with her concerning War and com.
bats with the shark" And Ratu Tan.
ito did as he was commanded and re
turned with clear brow and said: my
father. have done according to your
commands"
And again the king commanded hin
to abide for seven days. and returning te
the maiden to speak with her concerning
the gods. And it was done as he com.
manded.
Then said TUT Katubua, Go now,
my son, and speak with the maiden con.
corning the government of men," And
Ratu Tanito departed and came to vanus
Lew.
But when he returned thence his brow
was clouded and his eyes were angry,
and as he reached his fathers presence hi
stepped with firm step. so now. my
son, said the king, "your canoe has met
against rock"
Not So the young man replied
my canoe is save, oh, father
II grieve, oh, my son" said the f.
ther, that your safe departure has been
opposed by the king Of Vanua Lew, and
that he has sought to make you q pris
oner, for our vengeance will fall heavily
on his people"
"Savenaka. king of Vanua Lew, has
nowise impeded my departure from hi,
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 l have given way to an.
ger because of trifle. Ekesa, the maid
en- Of whom spoke. has said a foolish
thing, and. recollecting 1t, my spirit W.
disturbed
And what said the maidenr'
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 Q
verify | heard not certainly, being much
provoked, and having driven my foot
against a root as We walked"
Then you have quareled with the
maiden: said TUT Katubua
NO" said Ratu Tsnito. II am not Q
woman. I forbore to answer her and
after she had spoken for time, and had
sworn she would marry no man who
held himself her superior. left her."
Then said Tui Katubua: Go now, my
son, and take war canoes. and fetch
Ekesa before me-"
The king commands" said Ratu
Tanito. But father, no longer wish
TO marry the girl; and the gods forbid
that she should come to harm at my
hands,"
mo harm shall come to her," said
Katubua, DO you as command"
Accordingly. Ratu Tanito took war
canoes and went to Vanua Lew and bore
away Ekesa by force. And returning to
Viii Levu he brought her before his
father. who sat in state. Surrounded BY
his chiefs and priests And seeing thu
array about her, a though to Judge her
Ekesa's eye flashed and she looked Dc
family at King Katubua. Mighty mon.
arch, she cried. do not fear me; do no
surround yourself with your chiefs. ]
mean you no harm, and indeed havs
come here against my viii, being hrousA,
. pesoner by this youth, one Of you
people. 6ee me free. and chastiss him
and my father. Savenaka, will thanb
you and be your brothsr."
ut i my son, Rasu Tanito, who beinu
you here" said Katubua-
Are you Ratu Tanitor' cried - psin
cess, turning to the young man. And
she exclaimed with double force: "TAas
you are the great trAitorr
Maiden" said King Katubua, "bs -
sured. No harm shaN bslan you u
Il has come to our ears that in vanns
Levu the women are the equal Il IL
men, and - this seems . strange thins
to u We have desired to 80 Il teeted