th, or worse, awaits us
here. As for you, at the next coming of the snake god after the one
that is about to take place you will assuredly be offered as a
sacrifice, for I may tell you that a solemn vow has been made by the
council to that effect. While I, at the same time, am to be given in
marriage to Ackbau, a fate from which I shrink more than from death.
Why, then, should we exchange the chance of reaching the country you
speak of for the tortures which must certainly await us here? Let us
trust ourselves to the sea rather than cling to this land of sorrow. If
we perish, we perish."

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."

After arriving at this decision we agreed there must be no turning
back, and it only now remained to await the night upon which the
unfortunate Van Luck would be offered to the snake god in order to make
good our escape. Meanwhile we were allowed to wander about the island
together as before. Ackbau having obtained the decree of the council
for my death, and his own marriage with the queen, could afford to
wait, nor did he appear anxious to deprive Melannie of the pleasure
which she found in my company, until I was removed from his path.
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. Her love for me I could not return, since all my love was
given to my betrothed, but next to Anna I loved Melannie more than
anyone in the world.

So far as the islanders were concerned, I was now left to my own
devices. My fire-making had lost its novelty, and since it was
discovered that one fire could be lighted from another my flint and
steel had depreciated in value. In order to conciliate Ackbau I offered
to explain to him the secret of my fire-making, but he answered coldly
that he himself knew how to make fire by taking a burning brand from
one fire and thrusting it among dried wood and leaves, of which there
were great quantities on the island, as fire had never been alight