"
I pleaded an excuse for infringing the taboo, but Melannie shook her
head. Then she embraced me and begged me to forgive her ill-humour.
"You will not leave me, Peter," she pleaded. "You are strong--stronger
than Ackbau, and will protect me from him."
"But you are queen, are you not?" I answered.
"Yes, I am queen," replied Melannie, "but I do not love my people as I
should do. I wish they would make Ackbau king, so that I might be free
as others are."
She tried to embrace me, but I disengaged myself from her. I could not
take her to my heart, coming, as she did, a willing spectator from the
place of sacrifice.
CHAPTER XIX
I BECOME CHIEF COOK
I now resolved to introduce the cooking of food upon the island. From
the fish and clams which the natives offered me in their raw state I
turned in disgust, but I reflected that, cooked, they would make
excellent eating. I was tired of fruit, and craved a more substantial
diet. How long I might be compelled to remain upon this island I knew
not. Perhaps I was destined to spend the rest of my life upon it. Why,
then, should I be deprived of the luxury of cooking my food, when, with
my flint and steel, I possessed the means of making a fire?
When I spoke of my intention to Melannie she failed to grasp my
meaning.
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