The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1901-08-23

OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
Ratu Tanito. son Of the great King
TUT Katubua, dwelt in Viii Lew, which
some call Fiji. He was in stature like
to the tree mbaka, and light shone in
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 youY
Ratu Tanito answered, Not so, my
father, for | will marry"
Then the king said; "Ratu Tanito,
choose a wife, observing these three re-
quirements-frst that she be young;
second, that she be strong, and, third,
that she be obedient."
My father" replied the young man,
lis it not also a requirement that she be
beautiful"
The king answered, obedience is
beauty"
"Tui VIII" said Ratu Tanito, u have
chosen a 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 hinching. She is
obedient, for she has honored her par
ents. And she is beautiful as the day
and lovely as the night. When see her,
my heart is as a basin in which the
springs surge hotly up and fall back in
tumult."
"Who is the maiden?" said the king.
Her name is Ekesa," the youth re-
piled. "She dwells in Vanua Levu and
is the daughter of Savenaka, its king"
Have you spoken to her of lovep 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 q 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 con-
corning 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
and speak with her concerning war. and
combats with the sharks" And Ratu
Tanito did as he was commanded and
returned with a 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 concerning
the gods. And it was done as he COM
manded.
Then said TUT Katubua, go, now, my
son, and speak with the maiden concern
ing the government OF men," And Ratu
Tsnito departed and came to Vanua
Levu
But when he returned thence his brow
was clouded. aud his eyes were angry,
and as he reached his fathers presence
he stepped with firm step. $50 now,
my son. said the king, your canoe has
met with mischance and has been
dashed against a rock"
Not So" the young,man replied. my
canoe is safe, oh, father"
81 grieve, oh, my son." said the fsther.
"that your safe departure has been op-
posed by the king Of Vanua Lew and
that De has sought to make you pris-
oner, for our vengeance will fall heavily
on his people,"
"Savenaka, king of vanua Lew. has
nowise impeded| my departure from his
island" said the youth. NOR has he
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 have given way to another
because of a triHe. Ekesa, the maiden
of whom spoke, has said a foolish
thing. and, recollecting it. my spirit was
disturbed"
"And what said the maiden"
"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 a YER
ity | heard not certainly. being much
provoked and having driven my foot
against root as we walked"
Then you have quarrelel with the
maidenY said TUT Katubua.
NO" said Ratu Tanito; II am not a
woman. forbore to answer her. and
after she had spoken for a time and had
sworn she would marry no man who
held himself her superior left her,"
Then said TUT Katubua, go, now, my
son, and take war canoes and fetch
Ekesa before me-"
1.-THE king commands" said Ratu Ia
nito. "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 ka-
tubua. do you as | command"
Accordingly Ratu Tanko took war ca
noes and went to Vanua Lew and bore
away Ekesa by force. And, returning to
VIII Lew. he brought her before his IA
ther, who sat In state, surrounded by his
chiefs and priests. And, seeing this ar
ray about her, as though to judge her,
Ekesa's eye flashed, and she looked de-
family at King Katubua. mighty mon
arch" she cried, "do not fear me. Do
not surround yourself with your chiefs.
| mean you no harm and, indeed, have
come here against my will, being brought
a prisoner by this youth, one of your peo-
pie. Set me free and chastise him, and
my father, Savenaka, will thank you and
be your brother"
at is my son, Ratu Tanito, who brings
you here" said Katubua.
care you Ratu Tanito?" cried the prin-
cess, turning to the young man. And
Tho ovola;uad with double force. "Then