REMBAU HISTORY, ETC. 85 
If the man takes his beating, the same marriage fee is 
due asfor a surprise”’ marriage (I) and was formerly payable 
in cloth, but if the parents accept the inevitable, and the 
marriage is concluded the same evening, then the ordinary 
fee only is paid. 
The marriage by storm can be effected only at the 
instance of the male. The marriage ‘by robbery’’’ is unknown 
in Rembau; but a Rembau wife need never share her husband 
with another woman. His first wife has the right to redeem 
sole interest in her husband, if he contract a second marriage 
during her coverture. The procedure laid down directs her 
to make her way to the house of the second wife, lightly claal 
with a naked weapon in her hand, mount the steps, and offer a 
sum for the release of her husband. Ifthe second wife prefer 
to pay the sum named to relinquishing her man, she can buy 
out the interests of the first wife at that price. This procedure 
is known as redeeming the husband (béli laki) and though 
seldom put into practice, is well recognised as legitimate. 
TV. The marriage with a condition clause. (Nzkah 
Ta altk). At marriage of this kind the following clause is 
inserted in the formula (khutbah) read by the wali :-—“If the 
“ lusband is absent on land six months, at sea one year, without 
“ message or tidings, divorce has ripened of itself.” To dispel 
any subsequent question as to the fact of its use, the clause 
should be reduced to writing, and signed by the husband. 
The marriage thus expressly contemplates and provides 
facilities for divorce. 
To class as irregular the ‘marriage with a condition” which 
differs from the regular marriage not in the method of 
(1) The custom of the marriage by robbery which obtains in 
Naning, (7ébut rampas) permits a woman to force a marriage with 
the man of her choice, even against his will. To obtain a husband in 
this way a woman publicly seizes some article of the man’s clothing, 
and holds it as a pledge. Custom accepts such immodesty as proot 
of previous intercourse between man and woman under promise of 
mairiage and holds the man to his presumed contract 
(2) Kedarat anam bulan, ka-laut swtahun, berpésan tidak, berita 
tidak, talak gugor sendii. Saying XLIV. 
R. A. Soc., No. 56, 1910, 
Parallel right 
of woman in 
Naning to a 
marriage by 
robbery ‘* re- 
but rampas.”’ 
The marri- 
age with a 
saving clause 
(Atkah Ta’- 
alik). 
Formula read 
at marriage 
expressly con- 
templates di- 
vorce. 
