The morning call., 1894-09-18
Story of a HaIf-Breed
English Girl.
MADE A QUEEN OF MANIA.
Taken From a Convent in Apia
to the Isle of Tau.
VISITED BY CAPTAIN LUTTRELL.
The Skipper of the Helen w. AImy
and His Wife Obtain an
Interview.
VISITED BY CAPTAIN LUTTRELL.

Captain Luttrell Of the bark Helen w.
Amy, up few days ago from Butaritari
is pretty good story-telIer and never falls
10 bring back with him from the South
Seas some narrative worth the readers
while to peruse. This time Captain Lut-
trell tells of a pretty princess, a half
English and half native woman, who rules
over the Manua group against her wishes.
though her subjects WORSHIP her much
after the fashion that the Koreans wor-
ship their king, or as the Peruvians hum
bled themselves before the virgins of the
sun.
History repeats itself in the biography of
Margaret Young, the English name of the
prisoner princess, for the story of Francis
ouDg, sailor who landed at the island
of Tau nearly 100 years ago, is recalled.
This man married a Tau native woman
who was queen of the group. His son by
her welded halfbreed maiden. Margaret
Young is the daughter of that son.
Through the death Of all the heirs ap-
Parent to the throne of the Manuas, Miss
\ Dung found herself called upon to assume
the power of mistress of the islands. This
news was conveyed to her at ANA some
months ago by delegate n of chiefs from
Manua and she was forced by the laws Of
B6TtuEtN QUA lufUS ~ Tue southern AFCni-
relago to accompanyataem back to Tau,
where she was Immediately installed as
Queen.
Great interest is lent to The case of the
girl, who is but % years of age, by the
report that she is ighlE educated and was.
at the time of her sudden Call from ATia,
happily pursuing the course Of her studies
at Catholic convent.
Captain Luttrell and his wife, who ac-
cOmpanied him on his last trip, were the
first white people permitted to interview
the Queen, and obtained from her Majesty
the story that her life was one of misery in
spite of the profound respect shown
her by her native subjects. She is ruler
that Is compelled t. maintain an odious
reserve, the sanctlty of her dwelling being
rIgidlv preserved by fierce warriors, who
stand ready to decapiCate the bold intru-
der who dares to enter the Queens sacred
presence without first being especially
anointed by the spirit fires ana sum-
moned by a council Of chiefs.
1.-The grand chief OF the group is the
only man that is allowed TO approach the
Queen" explained Cantain Lutlrell. He
attends to her wants, assisted by two
maids, who never leave her side, except
when they are called upon to do her bid
ding.
''These girls and the Queen live in a
spacious palace of bamboo, furn ished very
meageTlY. a musie-box, such as traders
palm off on the natives for several tons of
copra, gTindS out Anticipated melodies IN
sickly sort of way.
Should any native desire to pay tribute
to her in the shape of fish or fowl, he
must fasten his gift upon the end of a
bamboo pole, advance with closed eyes
and thrust the stick through the doorway
CT the palace.
Queen Margaret. as we will term her,
IS MT allowed to walk outside her cabins
limits. She must be carried on litter by
her malls, and when she ventures forth
upon such journey subjects are ordered,
under pain of death. to keep hidden in
their prospective dOmiciles."
the captive Queen explained to Luttrell
that she desired to be freed, but had never
dared 10 say so 10 those who hold her pris-
oner. She explained that her subjects
were klndheartsd. and meant to cause her
no unhapplneS but that they religiously
followed the customs of their ancestors in
acting as they do toward her.
Inc wealth of the islands is the Queens
and this is rendered her amid prayers and
lnvocations that are strange and indie
scribable. Such of her wishes as do nor
interfere with the administration of the
laws and customs mentioned are granted
in every respect.
1t is customary when certain periods of
the year come round for the Queen to visit
the different islands in the group, three in
number, and on such state occasions. and
then only. are the common people and SUBJ
chiefs allowed to gaze upon her royal
features.
Canoes are collected into a great feet.
every chief being given a certain number
OF boats to command. Then the entire
population of Tan embarks, setting out a.
sunrise for the nearest island, where thew
are Joined by more canoes and SO on until
the royal rounds have been made.
But with all this pOmp of savsgery and
show Of humiliation to their Queen. the
natives of the Manuas have spired Mar
garet Young with 90 great love for them.
Halt native though she be herself. She
frets and pines away her life, longing and
praying through the bslmy days and
glorious nights TO be once more among
white people and in the modest little con-
vent in Samoa.