Part 30 (1/2)

”That may not be necessary,” replied the Professor, as he vainly tried to hide the smile that was trying to manifest itself.

”But do you not find it necessary to set the people a good example?”

asked the Professor.

For a moment he looked around at the company in bewilderment, and he slowly replied: ”No, I do not think it would do any good. If the people are bad, and they want to be bad, it will do them no good to tell them that I have always tried to do right.”

There was a respectful silence, at this avowal, and the Professor continued: ”There are many who think as you do, and we had one great teacher, called Confucius, who said: 'Do good not for the hope of reward, but because it is right.' Then we have also a precept which, interpreted, means: that happiness is in the heart.”

”I do not know what that means,” he replied.

”It means that the desire and the wish must come from within, and not from without.” And the savage nodded an a.s.sent.

”But,” continued the Professor, ”I have some news to impart, that makes us all happy again. It is something that pertains to Sutoto, and I know you will all join in wis.h.i.+ng him all happiness in the good fortune which Wonder Island brings to him, while this island is vying with us to make him happy.”

What was this happy thing that the Professor portended? There was intense eagerness in the eyes of all who had left Wonder Island when the _Pioneer_ sailed away, three weeks before.

”I want to present to you Sutoto, the new Chief of the Berees.” The Professor could get no further. George and Harry were wild with excitement, and they bounded over to him and actually hugged him. Poor Cinda did not for the moment know what all this excitement meant.

She supposed that this was the white man's part of the ceremony, and quietly submitted. But she was quickly informed, and as she glanced at her father and mother, and the people came by and affectionately greeted them, she was so happy that tears actually flowed.

Then John came forward with a large box, which he carefully opened, and drew forth two packages, one of which he unwrapped, while Mida took the strings from the other.

”We want to present you these tokens, the presents of George and Harry.

You are to wear these as an emblem of your authority.” And George and Mida placed the most beautiful crown shaped hats on the heads of the couple.

”Is this part of the ceremony too?” asked Cinda, as she slyly glanced at Sutoto.

It is impossible to say who were the most surprised people, the boys or Sutoto, since these presents had been prepared without their knowledge, and it atoned in a way for their neglect in not thinking of the gifts before.

But there were also other agreeable surprises in store for them. The wives of Uraso and Muro led Cinda to the table on which the presents were exposed, and also exhibited the many beautiful garments which had been prepared for her.

Her bewilderment was still greater when she was directed to turn, and found herself standing in front of a tall oval mirror which the boys had brought up, under the Professor's directions.

Her image in the mirror startled the bride beyond measure, and she innocently asked Sutoto whether this was also a part of the wedding ceremony.

According to the custom of the tribe, the couple had to go through the ordeal of the tribal dance, and when the boys learned of this they regretted that provision had not been made for the event. They were now in for everything which belonged to this unique wedding. The entire party broke up, and the boys regretted that the affair came to an end so soon.

As they filed down the steps and marched along the dock to the sh.o.r.e they noticed that the entire village was s.h.i.+ning brightly with hundreds of the native candles, and everywhere were the well-known lamps, which the boys knew came from Wonder Island.

”What does all that mean?” asked Harry, as John came up.

”That means the dance, that is the final requirement of the wedding ceremony.”

”But where are the dancers? Are we to take part?”

”Oh, no; no one who has partaken of the feast is permitted to take part.”

”Well, that is certainly queer.”