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Updated: June 21, 2025
I could not but agree that her argument contained much good sense, and I admired the courage with which she was ready to face the worst that Fate might have in store for us. "Let it be so then, Melannie," I answered. "May heaven deal with me as I deal with thee in protecting us both from evil."
The mountain seemed on the verge of eruption, and I wondered that no alarm for the safety of the town built at the foot of it had been shown by Melannie and her people.
During this time I observed a change upon the mountain in the centre of the island. The smoke cloud, which always hovered over it, had increased until it hung like a funeral pall over the top of the volcano. Loud rumblings also were heard like distant thunder, while earth tremors were constantly felt. I mentioned these matters to Melannie, but she did not appear to attach any importance to them.
Still I conceived it to be my duty to make the best use of the means which Providence had placed in my hands of returning to home and friends, and as the cutter danced over the waves, and the salt spray moistened our faces, I felt my spirits rise. Melannie, in her new-found freedom, was like a happy child. "Let us sail on for ever, Peter," she said. "I never want to put my foot on land again."
"You are glad to go, Peter," she said. "Go, then; take the boat, and leave me to my fate." "Not so, Melannie," I answered. "I will take you with me, and restore you to your own people. It is not meet that a white girl, such as thou, should abide with savages." At these words Melannie recovered her gaiety. "Let me go with thee, Peter," she said, clapping her hands with pleasure. "It is all I ask.
Melannie, although arrived at woman's estate, was but a child at heart, and, as a child, he knew she would be content to let things drift until the moment for my execution was at hand, when it would be too late even for the queen to prevent it. I had now become much attached to Melannie, feeling for her as for a dear sister.
Melannie then led me, secretly, by a path known only to Ackbau, the council, and herself, to a rock cavern close to the water's edge, in which was kept a ship's boat, which the queen told me had been washed ashore at the same time when, she was found crying upon the beach.
When I saw that you valued the bright stones, I knew they would be of value to me also. I have a bagful of jewels, larger than yours, and brighter." And, laughing to see the surprise she had given me, Melannie drew out a handful of gems from a bag which she carried at her girdle, which glowed with a wonderful lustre under the light of the moon.
I induced Melannie to eat some of the fish, which she found so much to her liking that her fear of the fire changed to admiration for what it could do. "When my people eat of this delicious food," she said, "they will worship you." I had no desire to be worshipped. All I asked was permission to eat my grilled fish in peace.
In order to protect Melannie from the heat of midday, and to ensure her some measure of privacy, I constructed a temporary cabin for her, with some spare canvas which I found on board the boat, but at night she preferred to sleep in the open so that she might watch the stars, which shone with extraordinary brilliancy.
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