Earth tremors also warned me that the
crust here was thin, and therefore dangerous. 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. But I remembered that volcanoes, like all great works of
Nature, measure time by the lapse of ages, and that a thousand years
will often pass between the convulsions of the internal fires which
find an outlet through the earth's craters. The smoke and heat of the
mountain, however, reminded me of my tinder-box, and I gathered some
flints, of which there were a number lying round, before returning to
my dwelling in the native town. I had kept my ability to make fire, so
far, secret, but if my life was threatened I resolved to kindle a
conflagration that would sweep the island.
When the queen and her followers returned from the place of execution
Melannie sent for me.
"Have a care, Peter," she said. "We are ruled here by customs which may
not be changed. Already Ackbau is jealous of the favour I have shown
you. To go upon the mountain, which is forbidden country, may be made
an argument in favour of thy death, from which even I cannot save you.
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