Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1891-11-23
RATU TANIT0'S LOVE.

Ratu Tauito, son OF tho great King
Tut Katubuh, dwolt in Viii Lew, which
some call FIT. Iio was In stature like
to tho tree mbaka. aud light ahono Ia
his young eyes, 90 that his presence
could 10 known AZ night His canoe
sped with the wind. his dancing In
the war doace brought forth great
shout from the people. his arm broke
apart the strongest breakers, and men
called hun the Kings Arrow"
Now when the mcke was ended that
they had danced on the eighteenth birth
tay OF Ratu Tanito. katubua called his
son to him and said
MY son, shall my line end with yonY"
Eatu Tauito answered. mot 10, my
father. for will marry"
Then the king saidi "Ratu Tanito,
choose a wife, observing those three re-
quironents-Fint, that sho DO young;
second, that shc DO strong. aud third,
that she DO obcdient."
my father" replied tho young man,
sis II not also requirement that she DO
beautiful
The king answered. obedience IL
beauty
"Tui Viti,T said Ratu Tanito. ~ have
chosen q wife. Sho IL young for she was
born on the day when first stood erect.
She Is strong for she can abide the grasp
OF my hand without ninching. She Ia
ohadicnt for she has honorcd her parents.
Aud she IA beautiful ~ the day aud
lovely ~ tho night When SEQ her my
heart Is a. u basin Ia which tho springs
rnrgc holly mp and fall back In tumult."
who Is the Maiden 6nid the king.
"iier name Is Ekesa," tho youth re-
Piled. "She dwells In Vanua Lew, and
Is tho daughter Of sayenaka. its king"
'iayc you spoken 10 her Of love-" tho
king asked.
NO" said Ratu Tanlto.
eco and speak with her concerning
her parents said tho king.
TUT Katubua having thus commanded,
Ra,u Tanito departed by night In his
canoe TO Vanua Lew. Aud on day
he returned and his brow was clear, and
be caine before the king and said. "Tui
Viii. have performed your commands
and have spoken with tho maiden Ekesa
concerning her parents"
The king received tho words OF Ratu
Tanito, and looking on his son said.
"Abido now with mo and Mt the end Of
the seven days 20 again 10 the maiden
aud speak with her concerning war aud
combats with tho sharks" Aud Ratu
Tanito did IA no was commanded aud
returned with clear brow and said,
my father, have done according to
your commands"
Aud again the king commanded him
10 abide for seven days. and returning
To tho maiden to speak with her con.
corning the gods. And 1t was done as
he commanded.
Then said TUT Katubua, "Go now,
my son, and speak with tho maiden
concerning tho government Of men,"
And Ratu Tanito departed aud came to
Vanua Lew.
But when h.retnrned thence his brow
was clouded ana his eyes were angry,
and ~ he reached his fathers presence
he stepped with firm step. $50 now,
my son. said the king, 'your canoe has
met with u mischanco aud has been
dashed against a rock"
mot so," the yonpr man renlled, TINY
canoe is safe, oh. father"
81 grieyc, oh, my son." said the IA
ther. chat your safe departure has been
opposed by the king of Wanna I,evn
and that no has sought 10 make vnn a
prisoner. for our vengeance viii faiI
heavily ON his people."
"sayspaka. king of Wanna Lawn IN.
nowise impsand my dcnartnre from his
island" raid tho youth "nor has he
known Of nv pres.nec ,heren
"And yet AMOR ~ ahoya yonr ..s .
said the old king.
Then Rntu Tnpito com,,.od ,I. ,,,
lures and said 10 hls father, .,Eoras,
NV father. thnt nav gIvon ,,.,. ~ ~ 49, s,.
o,iar 49,. =, "a" waS 70 ali'
maiden OF whom spnke has said a ,, ~
ish THING. and rccoliec,ing n r,y s,'iri,
WINS disturbcd" ~ "'' 'P""
"And 1Shat said the maideny