Part 27 (2/2)

The Chief was among the merry villagers. ”Who is that man with the white hair!” he asked of Uraso.

The latter was just as much surprised as his questioner, when he recognized the Professor, and he informed the Chief of the treat he would experience in meeting him. ”He is the Great Wise man,” added Uraso, ”whom everybody loves.”

Muro, too, was astounded as the Professor came down. But a still greater surprise awaited the two chiefs. Muro's wife hailed him, and then Uraso's wife waved her handkerchief. This was too much for them, and waving aside all dignity they rushed forward to greet them.

The whole thing had been so admirably arranged, that no one knew of the affair which had been planned by John. Sutoto joined in the merriment, but he was too anxious to see Stut to pay much attention to the greetings.

The visitors discreetly refrained from saying a word to Sutoto, concerning the coming event. Besides the Chief's wives, there were several other women, of the Tribes in Wonder Island, together with some white men and their wives, who had been invited at the request of Blakely.

The latter greeted John with that hearty expression so characteristic of the true commercial man, and he was not with John a minute before he was plying all sorts of questions about the resources of the island, the kind and number of inhabitants the nature of the soil, and the possibilities of mineral development.

The Professor came down and was introduced to the Chief by Uraso.

The great burly chief was fascinated. He gazed on the Professor and almost gasped, then turning to Uraso he said: ”Ah! I know why he is a wise man.”

To Uraso this remark was indeed a puzzle; to think that the Chief had discovered the secret of the wisdom in the Professor! He was quick to ask why he knew it.

”Because he has double eyes.”

Uraso laughed, and turned to the Professor, to whom he related the incident. Instantly the Professor removed the gla.s.ses, and courteously handed them to the Chief, and Uraso adjusted them to the Chief's eyes.

He glanced around, through the lens, and forced out one expression of delight after the other. He was oblivious of everything else. He forgot that there were dozens of the visitors ready in line to be introduced to him; but all enjoyed the great pleasure he experienced in the new sight.

But suddenly he stopped in his enthusiasm, and with an apology took off the gla.s.ses and held them up, in the act of handing them back. The Professor returned them, and took another pair from his pocket which he put on.

It was not likely that the Chief could have received a more acceptable present, as his eyesight was failing, and the gla.s.ses seemed like the opening of a new world to him. Later on the Professor provided a pair of gla.s.ses better adapted to his sight.

The Chief then became concerned about the comfort of his guests, so Uraso said: ”Do not feel worried about the visitors. They will sleep on the vessel where they have comfortable rooms.”

The Chief could hardly believe the statements, as he muttered: ”This is, indeed, wonderful.”

It would require pages to record the incidents that came to his attention about the wonders of these new people. The surprising thing was, that Uraso, and the natives of Wonder Island were dressed like the white people and acted like them, and yet he was told that all that wonderful change had come about in a little over two years' time.

Muro's wife was quickly made acquainted with the Chief's wife, and the day following she had a consultation with her. Mida, who was Muro's wife, said: ”I do not know whether or not you know of Sutoto's affection for Cinda, but we learned about it, and have come over to attend the ceremony.”

Linnea, the Chief's wife, smiled as Mida spoke to her. ”Yes, I know of it, but the Chief has not yet been told.”

It seems that they had very curious and at the same time different customs among the various tribes, and Mida's object was to learn what their etiquette called for as to betrothals. Among some of the Wonder Island tribes, the Chief was the only one who has the right to consent to the marriage of the females, although the males could go to other tribes and secure wives without the consent of the Chief.

In other tribes the women, the mothers, are the sole judges, and it is not infrequent for the parents of the bride to demand a payment, dependent on the rank or the riches of the father.

Then the question of ceremonies is always an important one. It would be sacrilegious to perform the rite except in exact accordance with the prescribed rules. Sometimes those rules are so extremely different to those of another tribe that intermarriage between members of such tribes is impossible.

Thus, a Tuolo could never marry a Saboro, nor could an Illya warrior take an Osaga for a bride. On all these points the women were adepts. It is more than likely, however, that Cinda and Sutoto had all that matter fully understood between them.

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