Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1909-01-20

and were waited to us by the east
wind Soon there appeared eight large
rowboats, each propelled by 20 to so
stalwart natives. After rounding the
point the formed in two columns of
four boats each and came across the
harbor at a very fast pace. each boat
crew vigorously singing one of their
rowing songs. In the bow of each boat
was erected a long, slender staff on
the top of which was fastened gar
lands and long strearers of bright
colored vines. To protect the rowers
from the sun an awning extended from
stem to stern Just above their heads.
As soon as they landed, they marched
in single file up the narrow street past
the hotel. 10 house in the rear of a
native stone church on the opposite
corner from the hotel. It was plain to
be seen the first part of the procession
was made up of leading men among
them from their venerable and stately
appearance. These arranged them
selves in the house around the col
umns supporting the roof, while the
rest of them sat on mats all round the
house on the outside. There must have
been between 500 and S25 of them.
Then passed 12 men, each carrying on
his shoulder a pig, roasted whole, fol-
lowed by men carrying baskets filed
with cooked vans, taro and bread.
fruit. Ky this time an immense crowd
filled the street and there was much
talking and laughing. It was soon all
explained to me. This was the fourth
time a certain chief from village on
the eastern end of the island distant
about % miles, had come to this house
seeking the hand of the native prin-
cess. living there with her uncle since
her fathers death, in marriage, On
three former occasions she had re-
fused him but that did not cool his
ardor, and here he was again with a
larger number of his followers than
ever. They Immediately began nego-
tiations. His followers extolling nm
in a long series of very howery
speeches, while those on her side, who
were opposed to the match. replied.
This continued till o'clock next
morning, when she finally gave up and
consented to marry him.
II appears that the whole thing Is
arranged between the families and
friends, but yet she has the final say
in the end, regardless of how they
have settled IT, 1t is also their custom
that no othe, suitor can seek her in
marriage till the Arst one gives the
case up as hopeless. Early the next
morning the fun and rejoicing began
and continued almost without iterrup-
ton all that day and night, and unti
noon the next day. 1t took the form of
dancing. feasting, speeches, drinking
kava, singing, etc. At last most of
four boats returned, bringing with
them 81 roasted pigs and native
comedian mot roassed) who enter
tanned a large audience till a late
hour of the night Judging by the
amount and almost continuous laugh
ter he caused he must have been a
succe SIN fact, bowling success,
The marriage always takes place
three weeks after the engagement, and
| was told that what had seen would
be only as a prelude to the extensive
dolngs then, lasting a whole week,
night and day.
over Y aterfali For Fun.
On my way TO New Zealand in the
boat from Eonolulu to Pago-Pago,
made the acquaintance of a Samoan,
returning to Apia with his son-in-law
and family from Tanning island,
where they had been employed at the
cable station for three and one-half
years | found him and renewed the