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Show CAPTURING A BRIDE. One Way Savatrea Have of Choosing a Wlb When Many Men Want Her. The oblong wedge, the Maori order of battle, advanced, singing in a low tone, and gesticulating in what they would have called a mild manner. On they advanced, ad-vanced, the movement raising no suspicion suspic-ion iu the breasts of their adversaries, it being part of the customary ritual of the war dance, until the thin end of the phalanx pha-lanx overlapped Uie Mania, and stood between be-tween them and t"he gates of the pa. Suddenly a change was visible in the antics of the Ngatiroa. Their gesticulations gesticula-tions became violent, their eyes protruded, protrud-ed, their heads were thrown back, and their throats uttered a mighty shout. As the cry passed their lips a stream of warriors rushed up the banks of the gully and joined the cluster of their comrades, com-rades, now swollen to a compact mass of 600 men. When the Mania realized the ruse practiced prac-ticed upon them they never for a moment mo-ment thought of giving np the fair cause of the incursion without a struggle. Into the pa poured both parties) the Mania to rally round the girl; the Ngatiroa, except the small party expressly told off to carry away the lady, seeking every man an opponent to wrestle with. Each party was anxious to avoid bloodshed, both being be-ing "Tribes of the River." The uproar was therefore greater tlian had they been engaged in actual warfare, it being more difficult to master a man by Btrength of mnscle than to knock a hole through him. At length superior numbers prevailed. pre-vailed. Those who fought around the lady were dragged away. She was roughly seized, and such a tugging and hauling ensued that, had she not been to the manner man-ner bom, she must have been rent in pieces. At last hut one young man, a secret se-cret admirer of the lady, retained his hold. An active young fellow, he had so twisted his hands and arms into the girl's hair, and fought so vigorously with his legs, that he could not be removed until he was knocked down senseless. The contest ended, and the bride being ; borne in triumph to the canoes, both parties par-ties proceeded to pick up their weapons and smooth their featherB. Everything had been conducted in the most honorable honora-ble and satisfactory manner. Lieuten- ! ant Colonel A. B. Ellis in Popular Sci- I ence Monthly. |