Prisoners of war, and all strangers found upon the island,
were, in the first place, offered to the snake god, and, failing these,
a victim was chosen among the tribe.
It now appeared, so far as I could gather from Ackbau, who made no
secret of his intentions regarding me, that had it not been, for the
arrival of another stranger upon the island, I myself would have been
offered as a sacrifice to the snake god at his next coming, and it was
for this reason I had been received with apparent friendship. But a
fresh captive being taken soon after I had been washed ashore had
caused a change of plan very much to my advantage. Queen Melannie also
had interested herself in my favour, and had refused to speak words at
the secret council which would have decreed my death. But I might
assure myself, said Ackbau, that my fate was only delayed, and at the
coming of the snake god, next after the one immediately expected, my
death had been decided upon. I appealed to Melannie, but she could only
confirm what Ackbau had told me.
"I cannot save you, Peter," she said, "unless you will become my
husband, when, if you are strong, we may overcome Ackbau, and rule as
king and queen upon this island.
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