Ackbau's
ambition to become a fire-maker was checked for the moment, but I could
see it was not satisfied.
CHAPTER XX
THE SNAKE GOD
I was now to meet with a surprise. The chief deity worshipped by the
people of the Island of Gems was a snake god, a monster who at regular,
intervals visited a coral cave rising out of a pool of water said to be
fathomless, from which I conjectured it was connected with the sea. The
water in this pool was of a deep blue colour, salt to the taste, which
further convinced me of its link with the ocean. On the first night of
each full moon a human sacrifice was offered, with which the monster
retreated into the coral cave, where it remained feasting upon its
victim three days. During this period the natives continued without
sleep, and fasting. At the end of three days the snake god disappeared,
nor was it seen again until its next periodical visit.
There ran, a legend among the people of the Island of Gems that if a
human sacrifice was not made to the snake god at the time of its
coming, the island would be destroyed and its people exterminated, so
that great care was taken to provide the monster with its accustomed
tribute.
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