Connecticut western news., 1892-03-17
RATU TANITO'S LOVE

Ratu Tanito. son of the great King l Tui Katubua, dwelt in Viti Levu, which some call Fiji. He was in stature like to the tree mbaka, and a light shone in his young eyes. 90 that his presence could be known at night. His canoe l sped with the wind; his dancing in the war dance brought forth a great shout from the people; his arm broke apart the strongest breakers, and men | called him the Kings Arrow. Now when the meke was ended that l they had danced on the eighteenth birth day of Ratu Tanito, Katubua called his son to him and said:
 My son, shall my line end with your Ratu Tanito answered. Mot 30, TJ father, for will marry" Then the king said: "Ratu Tanito, choose wife, observing these three re- quirements-First, that she be young: second. that ahe be strong, and third | that she be obedient."
 My father" replied the young man, ''is it not also requirement that she be ! beautifully
 The king answered. Obedience Is beauty"
 "Tui yiti," said Ratu Tanito. "l have chosen . wife. She is 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 finching. She Is ohedient for she has honored her parents And she is beautiful xs the day and lovely as the night. When see her my heart Is as basin in which the springs surge hotly up and fall back in tumult. |" Who is the maidenY' said the king. Her name Is Ekesa," the youth re- , piled. 'She dwells in Vanua Levu. and h the daughter of Savenaka. its king." Have you spoken to her of lover the hing 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 Leyu. And on day he returned and his brow was clear, and he came before the king and said, "Tui Viti, 1 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 the seven days go again to the maiden md speak with her concerning war and | combats with the sharks" And Ratu | Tanito did as he was co, amanded and | returned with 8 clear brow and said My father, have done according to | your commands"
 And again the king commanded him to abide for seven days. and returning to the maiden to speak with her con corning the gods And it was done as l he commanded.
 Then said Tui Katubua, 'Go now. my son, and speak with the maiden concerning the government of men. And 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 a mischance and has been dashed against a rock"
 Mot so," the young man replied; my canoe is safe, oh. father" l ''I grieve, oh. my son, !" said the ia. ther. "that your safe departure has been opposed by the king of Vanua Levu and that he has sought to make you 6 prisoner, for our vengeance will fall heavily on his people"
 "Savenaka, king of Vanua Levu, hal nowise impeded my departure from hii island" said the youth, ''nor has hs known of my presence there"
 And yet anger sits above your eyes. said the old king
 Then Ratu Tanito composed his fea tures and said to his father: Forget my father. that have given way to an other because of trife. Ekesa, tn, maiden of whom spoke. has said a fool ish thing. and. recollecting it. my spiri WAS disturbed"
 And what said the maidenr'
 Truly. she is of opinion that wome, are of equal spirit and understandin!
 with men. and should divide the govern
 ment of human affairs with them.
 think such were her words. but of a yer
 ity heard not certainly. being mucl
 provoked, and having driven my foo against . root as we walked. | "Then you have quarreled with tn
 maidenT said Tui KatubuA.
 No" said Ratu Tanito, .l am not
 woman. forbore to answer her, an
 after she had spoken for time and ha.
 sworn she would marry no man wh
 held himself her superior, left her" Then said Tui Katubua, ''4o now
 my son, and take war canoes. and fetc
 Ekesx before me"
 he ondo lot
 Tanito. But. father. no longer wis
 to marry the girl: and the gods forbi
 that she should come to harm at III
 handsl'
 No harm shall come to her." sai
 Katubua. Do you as command"
 Accordingly, Ratu Tanito took wa
 canoes and went to Vanua Levu an
 bore away Ekesa by force. And return
 ing to Viti Levu he brought her befor
 his father, who sat In state. surrounde
 by his chiefs and priests. And seein
 this array about her, ss though to judg
 her, Ekesa's eye flashed and she looke
 defantly ut King Katubua. Might
 monarch." she cried, do not fear me 10 not surround yourself with you
 :hiefs Imean you no harm, and indee
 nave come here against my will. bein
 brought g. prisoner by this youth, one C . your people. Set me free and chastis him, and my father, Ssvenaka, wi
 thank you and be your brother"
 1t Is my son, Ratu Tanito. who bring
 you here." said Katubua
 "Ars you RAtu TanitoY cried th sfanssAA ins.lAan = tAe xeARx- xka1