CHAPTER XVI
SUTOTO AND CINDA'S MARRIAGE; AND THE SURPRISE
Mida had learned the situation. Their customs as to marriages closelyresembled that of the Saboros. In that tribe the Chief was the soleauthority. To marry without his consent meant exile for the disobedientwarrior, and for the bride as well.
Sutoto was a member of the Berees, and there the mother was thematchmaker. She prescribed all the requirements. The first thing thatMida did was to insist that the Chief should be informed of the desiresof the young people.
To the delight of the two women he consented to the match, and he wasthen told that the people had come over from Wonder Island to take partin the ceremony. But when he was told that they intended to marry thatnight, by stealth, his brow was clouded.
His law was that no one should marry without his consent, and he couldnot believe that Cinda could thus attempt to take the matter into herown hand. It was hard to think that his own child should be the first tobreak his law.
The women pleaded with him, and then Mida confided her plan to him. Thetribe's marriage ceremony was a very curious one. First, there must be agift of fruit, then of fowl, and next of game. This must be brought tothe door of the bride by the groom blindfolded.
He must remain blindfolded while she prepares them for the table. Not aword must be spoken, or they must separate forever. A part of theceremony requires that the invited guests are to resort to every sort ofdevice to make them speak. The slightest sound by either is a sign thatthey will quarrel, and means the end of the affair.
If they pass this test, the second comes when the bridegroom's eyes areuncovered. They are then to converse with each other, and they must notfor a moment relax the talk. Neither has any knowledge of the time thatthis test must continue. There must be no faltering, or hesitancy.
Mida conferred with John and the boys, as she told of these necessaryrequirements, and the boys laughed as they listened.
"What is the object of all that?" inquired George.
John was chuckling at the idea, but it stirred up a reminiscence. "Thatis a custom, in some of its features, that I learned about some tribesin central Africa. I can see the object of that rite. The taking of thegifts blindfolded signifies that he enters the marriage state blindly,and that he must do so in silence, and without asking any questions."
"Of course, then, there is not any likelihood of them quarreling," saidHarry.
"That is what the Chief's wife said," replied Mida.
"But what does all the talking mean?"
"_The rites were progressing very satisfactorily_" [See p. 196]]
"That is perfectly obvious. To show they can perfectly agree, eventhough they do talk."
"But that is all before the real ceremony itself," said George. "How dothey get married? That is the main thing."
"Why," said Mida, "that is part of the marrying."
"But they haven't promised anything. Marrying is promising."
This occasioned another roar of merriment. "Yes; marriage is a contractunder our law, but not so with these people. The only question with themis whether they are suited to each other."
"But suppose they should not want to marry each other, or one of themshould object," interposed Harry.
"Ah! don't you see there is where the prospective bride or groom, inthat case has a chance. If, in the first test he should speak, or in thelast trial she should fail to keep up the conversation, then it would beall off."
Mida confided her plans to the Chief and his wife. They were assuredthat Cinda would not think of overriding the well-known laws as to thegifts, and the two tests, and so it was arranged that Sutoto should bepermitted to bring his offerings, which he would no doubt do, bystealth, while the Chief and all the visitors were to partake of thebanquet on board of the vessel that evening.
Sutoto and Cinda knew of the arrangements for the banquet, and thatappeared to be a suitable occasion for them. When Sutoto appeared withthe gifts he and Cinda were to be arrested by the Chief's warriors andbrought aboard the vessel, charged with violating the law of the Chiefin not first obtaining his permission.
The boys remained ashore, and carefully watched the proceedings. HowSutoto got the presents the boys did not know, but they had a suspicionthat Cinda had a hand in it. The boys laughed as they saw what aridiculously short distance he had to go in a blindfolded state.
Securely hidden in what was George's chamber, where he passed the firstnight of his captivity, they saw Sutoto with the offerings. Cinda tookthem, in silence, and disappeared, only to return instantly with thesmoking viands.
"I call that quick work," said Harry.
"Yes, that's swift cooking," suggested George.
They ate in silence. "I wonder where the bridesmaid is who intends tomake them talk?"
"Why don't you see her standing behind Cinda?"
"You mean the servant?"
"Of course."
This was almost too amusing for the boys. The rites were progressingvery satisfactorily. Then Cinda removed the bandage, and an ineffablesmile stole over Sutoto's features.
They commenced to talk. The maid said a few words, but the lovers paidno attention. The ceremony was going along just as-a perfect one should,when four stalwart warriors rushed in and seized Sutoto. Cinda knew whothey were, and she sprang at them, as two seized her also.
One of them addressed a word to Sutoto, and then spoke to Cinda, andwithout further ceremony they were taken out through the open portal,and hurried to the ship.
The boys followed at a respectful distance, and when the pair hadreached the deck the boys scrambled up, and hurriedly made their way tothe large room, or cabin, where the Chief and the visitors wereassembled, and which was brilliantly lighted for the occasion.
The criminals were brought before the Chief, who arose, and with asevere countenance began to upbraid Sutoto for his crime. Cindameanwhile glanced around at the brilliant sight. She saw nothing toexcite fear. Both were free from the warriors and stood there side byside, a handsome couple, as every one admitted.
Sutoto saw the boys. Just like boys are apt to be on such an occasion,they could not repress their laughter, although it was a silentexhibition of mirth. Then Sutoto knew, and so did Cinda, for she was nottoo much abashed to look up at Sutoto, while she leaned over and restedher head against him, and laid her hand on his arm.
Then the boys stopped laughing. There was nothing laughable about itnow. It seemed too beautiful to laugh at, and when the great Chief wentover, and rubbed his nose against Sutoto's every one knew that thecompact was sealed.
I wish it were possible to describe the delight shown in the eyes of thebride and groom when they were led to the table containing the weddinggifts that came to them from Wonder Island.
"Oh! I am so sorry!" said Harry.
"Sorry for what? Yes, yes, I know now. We have nothing to give Sutoto,as our presents." And George said it with genuine grief.
Most of the articles exhibited were for the use of the bride, anddesigned for the home, of the new couple; but there was a fine array ofthe little trinkets which so delight the feminine heart.
The party sat down to the feast, with Sutoto and Cinda at one end of thetable, while Mida presided at the other, the Chief being at her right,and his wife at her left.
For the first time in their lives they were to eat their food withknives and forks. They were adepts with the sharpened stick, whichGeorge had noted, and there was amusement at the many incidents that thenew order brought forth.
"I remember," said George, "that the Professor told us the Italians,about the year 1700, were the first to use forks."
"Yes," replied John. "As late as the year 1800 the English did not usethe fork, but the knife, for conveying food to the mouth; but thenew-fangled idea, when once introduced, became universal, soon afterthat time; and it was then the custom for travelers to carry their ownknives and forks when traveling."
The Professor
said, addressing the Chief: "I am surprised that you use afork at the table. While we do so universally, it was not originally ourcustom."
"I can remember," replied the Chief, "when it was not the habit to useany implement, but all were required to take food from the same dishwith the hands. But at that time food was not served hot, but allowed tocool. But we found that the eating of hot articles became a custom, andthen we had to use the pointed forks."
"I am curious to know what gives the roast such a beautiful flavor!"asked the Chief's wife. "I am told that you do not use leaves forflavoring."
"No," said Mida. "We now use spices, and the flavor is made moredistinct by adding salt."
"What kinds of spices are used?"
"For meats, principally pepper, of which I have no doubt you have plentyon your island."
Of course, there was coffee, which grew in abundance in Wonder Island,and numerous trees of which had been discovered by the boys of theChief's island. When this was brought out, and the natives first tastedit, there was some doubt on their part as to its food value.
Added interest was given to it when the Chief was induced to try it witha bountiful supply of cream and sugar. Then these articles attractedtheir attention.
"Is this a fruit?" he asked as a lump of sugar was handed him.
"No, it is made from cane, or from some vegetables."
"Made from vegetables? How can it be made from them? There is part ofthe flavor of fruit, but I cannot taste any vegetables in it."
Then the Professor explained that all fruit, as well as vegetables, hadthe same taste, and that they took out only that part and left theother.
"But what is this white liquid which you use in the new drink?"
"It is called 'cream,' and the cream is made from milk?"
"And what is milk made of?"
"It is taken from cows, a large animal, that people raise for thatpurpose."
As there was nothing on the island that was as large as a cow, or thatresembled it in any manner, the Chief's curiosity was unbounded.
"I would like to see the animal from which this was obtained."
"But we have no animal with us."
"Then it never spoils?"
"Oh, yes, it will quickly grow sour and unpleasant if allowed to remainin a warm place."
He looked around in bewilderment, and the Professor seeing hisembarrassment, continued: "In the ship we have a way to prevent thecream and the milk, as well, from spoiling. We will show you that."
Thus one article after the other called for some comment, andexplanation. To the natives from Wonder Island this meal was an objectlesson of only a few of the many things which they had learned from thewhite people.
But Sutoto and his bride could not be forgotten. When the meal wasfinished, the Professor arose, and said: "I have some news to impart toyou. When the white people first came to Wonder Island, they foundUraso, and Muro, and they were the first to come to our aid againstpowerful tribes."
"One of their neighbors had at its head a wise Chief, Suros, known andrespected by friend and foe alike, and he readily adopted the ideas ofthe white men, and offered his tribe to save us from destruction at thehands of those who were unfriendly."
"Sutoto was the nephew of the wise Chief Suros, and I have come to tellyou that he is dead, and that we have been mourning for him."
Every one who glanced at Sutoto, saw that it greatly affected him. Thisaddress was translated to the Chief, by Uraso, as the Professorproceeded, the latter speaking it in such measured sentences, that itcould be quickly grasped by the interpreter.
"We have all been sad, since his death, and we shall erect a suitablemonument to his memory on our return."
The Chief looked at the Professor, and the latter instantly divined thathe wanted some enlightenment.
"What does the white Chief mean by that?"
"It is the custom of the white man to put up something that all thepeople may look at, for years and years afterwards, so as to remind themthat he has lived, and to tell the people what good he has done."
"And why should the people do that?"
"So as to teach people the example, and try to make them be good as hewas."
"Do your people need to have such examples to make them do good?"
"That may not be necessary," replied the Professor, as he vainly triedto 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 heslowly replied: "No, I do not think it would do any good. If the peopleare bad, and they want to be bad, it will do them no good to tell themthat I have always tried to do right."
There was a respectful silence, at this avowal, and the Professorcontinued: "There are many who think as you do, and we had one greatteacher, called Confucius, who said: 'Do good not for the hope ofreward, 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 notfrom without." And the savage nodded an assent.
"But," continued the Professor, "I have some news to impart, that makesus all happy again. It is something that pertains to Sutoto, and I knowyou will all join in wishing him all happiness in the good fortune whichWonder Island brings to him, while this island is vying with us to makehim happy."
What was this happy thing that the Professor portended? There wasintense 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." TheProfessor could get no further. George and Harry were wild withexcitement, and they bounded over to him and actually hugged him. PoorCinda did not for the moment know what all this excitement meant.
She supposed that this was the white man's part of the ceremony, andquietly submitted. But she was quickly informed, and as she glanced ather father and mother, and the people came by and affectionately greetedthem, she was so happy that tears actually flowed.
Then John came forward with a large box, which he carefully opened, anddrew forth two packages, one of which he unwrapped, while Mida took thestrings 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 andMida placed the most beautiful crown shaped hats on the heads of thecouple.
"Is this part of the ceremony too?" asked Cinda, as she slyly glanced atSutoto.
It is impossible to say who were the most surprised people, the boys orSutoto, since these presents had been prepared without their knowledge,and it atoned in a way for their neglect in not thinking of the giftsbefore.
But there were also other agreeable surprises in store for them. Thewives of Uraso and Muro led Cinda to the table on which the presentswere exposed, and also exhibited the many beautiful garments which hadbeen prepared for her.
Her bewilderment was still greater when she was directed to turn, andfound herself standing in front of a tall oval mirror which the boys hadbrought up, under the Professor's directions.
Her image in the mirror startled the bride beyond measure, and sheinnocently asked Sutoto whether this was also a part of the weddingceremony.
According to the custom of the tribe, the couple had to go through theordeal of the tribal dance, and when the boys learned of this theyregretted that provision had not been made for the event. They were nowin for everything which belonged to this unique wedding. The entireparty broke up, and the boys regretted that the affair came to an end sosoon.
As they filed down the steps and marched along the dock to the shorethey noticed that the entire village was shining brightly with hundredsof the native candles, and everywhere were the well-known lamps, whichthe 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 weddingceremony."
"But where are the dancers? Are we to take part?"
"Oh, no; no one who has partaken of the feast is permitted to takepart."
"Well, that is certainly queer."
"Not more so than among many white people, where the dancers are thosewho have been specially selected for the purpose, and are professionals.In Biblical times the Jews had dancing as part of the religiousceremony, and that which took place in the Temple was participated inonly by special ones set apart for that purpose."
No one was in sight, however, and the Chief led the entire company to alarge green space, not far from his dwelling, and after a circle hadbeen formed, they heard a peculiar humming sound, which seemed to be allabout them, and this increased in intensity, and when at its height, twodozen or more of the native girls rushed in with a gliding, swayingmotion, and circled around with peculiar grace, continuously givingforth the weird sounds that have been described.
It was intensely dramatic, and fascinated the boys. They had never seenanything so remarkable in its character, and for once they were unableto question its meaning, or ask for information concerning it.
For an hour this continued, until the boys thought the performers wouldcertainly drop dead with fatigue; then, one after the other disappeared,and with each disappearance the sound of the humming grew less until butone remained. In some way, unknown to the boys she made the last circlearound the green, bearing a wreath of leaves, and as she approachedSutoto and Cinda, wheeled about, and threw it over them.
"That is the final act," said John. "See, they are both within thewreath, and it signifies that they are bound together forever, even asthe wreath, which has no end."