If , indeed , I must marry , let me travel and find a wife for myself . ' ` It shall be as you wish , ' said the parents ; ` but if by-and-by trouble should come of it , it will be your fault and not ours . ' The youth , however , would not listen ; and bidding his father and mother farewell , set out on his search . Far , far away he wandered , over mountains and across rivers , till he reached a village where the people were quite different from those of his own race . He glanced about him and noticed that the girls were fair to look upon , as they pounded maize or stewed something that smelt very nice in earthen pots -- especially if you were hot and tired ; and when one of the maidens turned round and offered the stranger some dinner , he made up his mind that he would wed her and nobody else . So he sent a message to her parents asking their leave to take her for his wife , and they came next day to bring their answer . ` We will give you our daughter , ' said they , ` if you can pay a good price for her . Never was there so hardworking a girl ; and how we shall do without her we can not tell ! Still -- no doubt your father and mother will come themselves and bring the price ? ' ` No ; I have the price with me , ' replied the young man ; laying down a handful of gold pieces . ` Here it is -- take it . ' The old couple 's eyes glittered greedily ; but custom forbade them to touch the price before all was arranged . ` At least , ' said they , after a moment 's pause , ` we may expect them to fetch your wife to her new home ? ' ` No ; they are not used to travelling , ' answered the bridegroom . ` Let the ceremony be performed without delay , and we will set forth at once . It is a long journey . ' Then the parents called in the girl , who was lying in the sun outside the hut , and , in the presence of all the village , a goat was killed , the sacred dance took place , and a blessing was said over the heads of the young people . After that the bride was led aside by her father , whose duty it was to bestow on her some parting advice as to her conduct in her married life . ` Be good to your husband 's parents , ' added he , ` and always do the will of your husband . ' And the girl nodded her head obediently .
Next it was the mother 's turn ; and , as was the custom XXXXX the tribe , she spoke to her daughter : ` Will you choose which of your sisters shall go with you to cut your wood and carry your water ? ' '
So about before for if in of over to without