she puts a dish of rice on the mat and, after offering it to the
spirits, places it between the boy and the girl as they sit on the
floor. The girl takes a handful of the rice and feeds it to the boy who,
in turn, feeds her, and the ceremony is complete. The couple may then go
to their new home, but for several years the girl's family will exact a
certain amount of service from the groom.

A slight variation of the usual order occurred recently at the marriage
of one of Datu Tongkaling's sons. At that time all the details were
arranged by the _datu_, who, accompanied by his son and a number of
relatives, went to the girl's house and proposed the union. After the
girl had brought wine, betel nut, and food, and had placed them before
the visitors, she was directed by her mother to make a carrying bag for
her lover. Had she objected to the union and refused to make this gift,
her decision would probably have been accepted as final and all
negotiations abandoned. However, it is not customary for the young
people to refuse to carry out the wishes of their elders. As the girl
offered no objections, the party fell to discussing the price the groom
should pay, and finally, after several hours of bargaining, decided that
he should furnish her father with one _agong_,[37] one horse, and a
double betel box.[38] Five days later, when he paid this sum, he
received a return gift of one _agong_ and ten skirts from the bride's
mother. About one-half the value of the groom's gift was distributed
among the girl's relatives, who were at the same time admonished that,
in case a separation should occur, they would be expected to return an
equal amount. In the presence of about a hundred friends, the pair drank
wine from the same dish, then submitted to having a little hair cut from
their heads, and were pronounced man and wife. Before they retired for
the night the _mabalian_ combed their hair, then, having directed the
groom to precede his bride to their sleeping place, she secured a child