Part 28 (1/2)
”Did Stut tell you about Sutoto?” asked George.
Harry laughed. ”No; but I have a good one to tell you. What did he say?”
”Well, you know he hired Stut to get him a wedding outfit, and a present?”
”Yes.”
”When the people left the vessel Sutoto sneaked back, and hunted up Stut. Of course Stut had the package all done up, and he is now taking it over to his hut.”
”I have something better than that. Sutoto is going to be married to-night.”
”How do you know?”
”Cinda told one of her girl friends, and it frightened her so that she told Uraso.”
”Why that would spoil all the plans.”
”So it would, but Uraso told his sister.”
”Are you sure of that?”
”Of course I am; I was there.”
”What did she say?”
”She simply said 'I will take care of that.'”
”Of course she will; she's a brick.”
CHAPTER XVI
SUTOTO AND CINDA'S MARRIAGE; AND THE SURPRISE
Mida had learned the situation. Their customs as to marriages closely resembled that of the Saboros. In that tribe the Chief was the sole authority. To marry without his consent meant exile for the disobedient warrior, and for the bride as well.
Sutoto was a member of the Berees, and there the mother was the matchmaker. She prescribed all the requirements. The first thing that Mida did was to insist that the Chief should be informed of the desires of the young people.
To the delight of the two women he consented to the match, and he was then told that the people had come over from Wonder Island to take part in the ceremony. But when he was told that they intended to marry that night, by stealth, his brow was clouded.
His law was that no one should marry without his consent, and he could not believe that Cinda could thus attempt to take the matter into her own hand. It was hard to think that his own child should be the first to break his law.
The women pleaded with him, and then Mida confided her plan to him. The tribe's marriage ceremony was a very curious one. First, there must be a gift of fruit, then of fowl, and next of game. This must be brought to the door of the bride by the groom blindfolded.
He must remain blindfolded while she prepares them for the table. Not a word must be spoken, or they must separate forever. A part of the ceremony requires that the invited guests are to resort to every sort of device to make them speak. The slightest sound by either is a sign that they will quarrel, and means the end of the affair.
If they pa.s.s this test, the second comes when the bridegroom's eyes are uncovered. They are then to converse with each other, and they must not for a moment relax the talk. Neither has any knowledge of the time that this test must continue. There must be no faltering, or hesitancy.
Mida conferred with John and the boys, as she told of these necessary requirements, and the boys laughed as they listened.