But if that cannot be, let us escape
by a means that I know of."
I put aside the question of marriage, but I eagerly embraced the
proposal to escape.
Melannie then led me, secretly, by a path known only to Ackbau, the
council, and herself, to a rock cavern close to the water's edge, in
which was kept a ship's boat, which the queen told me had been washed
ashore at the same time when, she was found crying upon the beach. It
was a well-built, serviceable cutter, with spare oars, and a sail
stowed under the thwarts, just as they had been placed in her when she
had put to sea, but there was neither food nor water in the boat,
although I discovered a water-tank forward, which could readily be
filled from one of the many streams on the island. I became so excited
at the prospect of escape that Melannie looked grave.
"You are glad to go, Peter," she said. "Go, then; take the boat, and
leave me to my fate."
"Not so, Melannie," I answered. "I will take you with me, and restore
you to your own people. It is not meet that a white girl, such as thou,
should abide with savages."
At these words Melannie recovered her gaiety.
"Let me go with thee, Peter," she said, clapping her hands with
pleasure.
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