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.

"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 kn