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[p. 194] 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 pass 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.
"What is the object of all that?" inquired George.
John was chuckling at the idea, but it stirred up a reminiscence. "That is a custom, in some of its features, that I learned about some tribes in central Africa. I can see the object of that rite. The taking of the gifts 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," said Harry.
"That is what the Chief's wife said," replied Mida.
"But what does all the talking mean?"
"That is perfectly obvious. To show they can perfectly agree, even though they do talk."
"But that is all before the real ceremony itself," said George. "How do they 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 contract under our law, but not so with these people. The only question with them is whether they are suited to each other."
"But suppose they should not want to marry each other, or one of them should object," interposed Harry.
"Ah! don't you see there is where the prospective bride or groom, in that case has a chance. If, in the first test he should speak, or in the last trial she should fail to keep up the conversation, then it would be all off."
Mida confided her plans to the Chief and his wife. They were assured that Cinda would not think of overriding the well-known laws as to the gifts, and the two tests, and so it was arranged that Sutoto should be permitted to bring his offerings, which he would no doubt do, by stealth, while the Chief and all the visitors were to partake of the banquet on board of the vessel that evening.
Sutoto and Cinda knew of the arrangements for the banquet, and that appeared to be a suitable oc[p. 196]casion for them. When Sutoto appeared with the gifts he and Cinda were to be arrested by the Chief's warriors and brought aboard the vessel, charged with violating the law of the Chief in not first obtaining his permission.
The boys remained ashore, and carefully watched the proceedings. How Sutoto got the presents the boys did not know, but they had a suspicion that Cinda had a hand in it. The boys laughed as they saw what a ridiculously short distance he had to go in a blindfolded state.
Securely hidden in what was George's chamber, where he passed the first night of his captivity, they saw Sutoto with the offerings. Cinda took them, in silence, and disappeared, only to return instantly with the smoking 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 to make 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 progressing very satisfactorily. Then Cinda removed the bandage, and an ineffable smile stole over Sutoto's features.
They commenced to talk. The maid said a few words, but the lovers paid no attention. The ceremony was going along just as-a perfect one should, when four stalwart warriors rushed in and seized[p. 197] Sutoto. Cinda knew who they were, and she sprang at them, as two seized her also.
One of them addressed a word to Sutoto, and then spoke to Cinda, and without 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 had reached the deck the boys scrambled up, and hurriedly made their way to the large room, or cabin, where the Chief and the visitors were assembled, and which was brilliantly lighted for the occasion.
The criminals were brought before the Chief, who arose, and with a severe countenance began to upbraid Sutoto for his crime. Cinda meanwhile glanced around at the brilliant sight. She saw nothing to excite fear. Both were free from the warriors and stood there side by side, 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 silent exhibition of mirth. Then Sutoto knew, and so did Cinda, for she was not too much abashed to look up at Sutoto, while she leaned over and rested her head against him, and laid her hand on his arm.
Then the boys stopped laughing. There was nothing laughable about it now. It seemed too beautiful to laugh at, and when the great Chief went over, and rubbed his nose against Sutoto's every one knew that the compact was sealed.
I wish it were possible to describe the delight shown in the eyes of the bride and groom when they were led to the table containing the wedding gifts 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, and designed for the home, of the new couple; but there was a fine array of the little trinkets which so delight the feminine heart.
The party sat down to the feast, with Sutoto and Cinda at one end of the table, 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 with knives and forks. They were adepts with the sharpened stick, which George had noted, and there was amusement at the many incidents that the new 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 use the fork, but the knife, for conveying food to the mouth; but the new-fangled idea, when once introduced, became universal, soon after that time; and it was then the custom for travelers to carry their own knives and forks when traveling."
The Professor said, addressing the Chief: "I am surprised that you use a fork at the table. While we do so universally, it was not originally our custom."
"I can remember," replied the Chief, "when it was not the habit to use any implement, but all were required to take food from the same dish with the hands. But at that time food was not served hot, but allowed to cool. But we found that the eating of hot articles became a custom, and then 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 for flavoring."
"No," said Mida. "We now use spices, and the flavor is made more distinct by adding salt."
"What kinds of spices are used?"
"For meats, principally pepper, of which I have no doubt you have plenty on 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 the Chief's island. When this was brought out, and the natives first tasted it, 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 with a bountiful supply of cream and sugar. Then these articles attracted their 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 of the flavor of fruit, but I cannot taste any vegetables in it."
Then the Professor explained that all fruit, as well as vegetables, had the same taste, and that they took out only that part and left the other.
"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 that purpose."
As there was nothing on the island that was as large as a cow, or that resembled 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 remain in a warm place."
He looked around in bewilderment, and the Professor seeing his embarrassment, continued: "In the ship we have a way to prevent the cream and the milk, as well, from spoiling. We will show you that."
Thus one article after the other called for some comment, and explanation. To the natives from[p. 201] Wonder Island this meal was an object lesson of only a few of the many things which they had learned from the white people.
But Sutoto and his bride could not be forgotten. When the meal was finished, the Professor arose, and said: "I have some news to impart to you. When the white people first came to Wonder Island, they found Uraso, and Muro, and they were the first to come to our aid against powerful tribes."
"One of their neighbors had at its head a wise Chief, Suros, known and respected by friend and foe alike, and he readily adopted the ideas of the white men, and offered his tribe to save us from destruction at the hands of those who were unfriendly."
"Sutoto was the nephew of the wise Chief Suros, and I have come to tell you that he is dead, and that we have been mourning for him."
Every one who glanced at Sutoto, saw that it greatly affected him. This address was translated to the Chief, by Uraso, as the Professor proceeded, the latter speaking it in such measured sentences, that it could be quickly grasped by the interpreter.
"We have all been sad, since his death, and we shall erect a suitable monument to his memory on our return."
The Chief looked at the Professor, and the latter instantly divined that he wanted some enlightenment.
"What does the white Chief mean by that?"
"It is the custom of the white man to put up some[p. 202]thing that all the people may look at, for years and years afterwards, so as to remind them that 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 he was."
"Do your people need to have such examples to make them do good?"
"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 assent.
"But," continued the Professor, "I have some news to impart, that makes us all happy again. It is[p. 203] something that pertains to Sutoto, and I know you will all join in wishing 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 shore they noticed that the entire village was shining 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."
"Not more so than among many white people, where the dancers are those who have been specially selected for the purpose, and are professionals. In Biblical times the Jews had dancing as part of the religious ceremony, and that which took place in the Temple was participated in only by special ones set apart for that purpose."
No one was in sight, however, and the Chief led the entire company to a large green space, not far from his dwelling, and after a circle had been formed, they heard a peculiar humming sound, which seemed to be all about them, and this increased in intensity, and when at its height, two dozen or more of the native girls rushed in with a gliding, swaying motion, and circled around with peculiar grace, continuously giving forth the weird sounds that have been described.
It was intensely dramatic, and fascinated the boys. They had never seen anything so remarkable in its character, and for once they were unable to question its meaning, or ask for information concerning it.
For an hour this continued, until the boys thought the performers would certainly drop dead with fatigue; then, one after the other disappeared, and with each disappearance the sound of the humming grew less until but one remained. In some way, unknown to the boys she made the last circle around the green, bearing a wreath of leaves, and as she approached Sutoto and Cinda, wheeled about, and threw it over them.
"That is the final act," said John. "See, they are both within the wreath, and it signifies that they are bound together forever, even as the wreath, which has no end."