Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1893-09-05
RATU TANITO'S LOVE.


his young eyes, so that his presence
could be known at night His canoe
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
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 Tnnito answered, mot so, my
father, for will marry"
Then the king said: "Ratu Tanito,
choose wife. observing these three re-
quirements-- First, that she be young;
second, that she be strong, and third,
that she he obedient."
my father" replied the young man,
lis 1t not also requirement that she be
beautiful!
The king answered. obedience is
beauty"
"Tui w.t." said Ratu Tanito, II 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 fiinching. She is
obedient for she has honored her parents.
And she is beautiful as the day and
lovely us the night. When see her my
heart is us a basin in which the springs
surge holly up and fall back in tumult. y
"Who is the maiden?" said the king.
.ty.. ,a,,x.a 10 Elyacn tba wont ra-
piled. "She dwells in Wanna Lew, and
Is the daughter of Savenaka, its king"
Have you spoken to her Of lover the
king asked.
mo" said Ratu Tanito.
"Go and speak with her concerning
her parents said the king.
TUT Katubua having thus commanded,
Ratu Tanito departed by night in his
canoe to vanua Lew. And on "a day
he returned and his brow was clear, and
he came before the king and said, "Tui
Viii, 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,
J. ADlut fiOW WIN tiiP anu tiiC tilAi VI
the seven days 20 again to the maiden
and speak with her concerning war and
combats with the sharks" And Ratu
/ Tanito did as he was commanded and
I returned with clear brow and said,
my father, have done according to
your commands"
And again the king commanded him
d a. IA, %. l,xya pat, ,t,,s,
TO the maiden to speak with her con
/ corning the gods And it was done us
he commanded.
Then said TUT Katubua, $50 now
my son, and speak with the maiden
concerning the government of men.
And Ratu Tanito departed and came tc
Wanna Lew.
But when he returned thence his brow
was clouded and his eyes We're angry
and as he reached his fathers presence
he stepped with firm step 80 now
my son, said the king, "your canoe has
met with mischanee and has beer
dashed against rock"
Not So" the yonng man replied; my
canoe is safe, oh, father"
HANSNtt p-it MY Spis pttld ttc IA
Their, THAT your safe departure has beer
opposed by the king of Vanua Lew
and that he has sought to make you 1
prisoner, for our vengeance will fail
heavily on his people"
"Savenaka, king of Vanua Levu, ha
nowise impeded my departure from hi
island" said the youth, NOR has h,
lrnnxx,r, ,f mn. Y,raca,,..a thara
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 have given way to an
other because of trife. Ekesa, tn
maiden Of whom spoke. has said foo
ish thing, and, recollecting it, my spirI
was disturbed"
"And what said the maiden?"
'Trnly. she is of opinion that womei
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 vei
Ivy | heard not certainly, being niue
provoked, and having driven my fou
against root rs we walked.
"Then you have quarreled with Tia
Madden said TUT Katubua.
NO" said Ratu Tanito. II am not
woman. | forbore to answer her, an
after she had spoken for time and ha
sworn she would marry no man VIII
held himself her superior, left her."
Then said TUT katuhua, Go now
my son. and take war canoes, and fetc
Ekesa before me-"
THE king commands" said Rat
Tanito. But, father, no longer wis
TO marry the girl; aud the gods forbi
that she should come to harm at III
handsl'
mo harm shall come to her." sal
katubua, do you as command"
Accordingly, Ratu Tanito took wa
canoes and went to vanua Lew an
bore away Ekesa by force. And return
ing to Viii Lew he brought her befos
his father, who sat in state, surrounde
: by his chiefs and priesfa. And seem
, tnis array about her. as thongh 10 luds
her. Ekesa's eye flashed and she locke
= detiantly at King Katubua. might
monarch" she cried, do not fear me
do not surround yourself with you
chiefs imean you no harm, and indee
/, bave come here against my will. bein
: brought prisoner by this youth. one c
your people. Set me free and chastis
him, and my father. Savenaka, wi
thank you and be your brother"
Tits my sou, Ratu Tanito. who bring
you here, said Katubua.
Are you Ratu Tanito?r cried III
princess, turning to the young mar
Aud sh" exclaimed with double fort,
'"fhea VOC are the great trsitorl1