The cooking also which I had taught them was easily performed by
certain members of the tribe told off for that purpose, and I noticed
that much secrecy was observed in the preparation of food. This secret
was revealed to me in a startling manner when I unexpectedly came upon
Ackbau and some members of the council seated together enjoying a stew
of what I could see was human flesh. For, indeed, what else could it
be, seeing there were no animals upon the island? I mastered my horror
as well as I could, for I was now in great dread of these savages, who,
since they had acquired the taste for meat, appeared to have become far
more ferocious and cruel than before resorting to the dreadful practice
of cannibalism. My discovery, however, made me more than ever
determined to rescue Melannie from the companionship of these wretches
who called her their queen. It was better, I argued, for her to die in
her youth and innocence upon the sea, if Providence so willed, than to
become the wife of such a man as Ackbau.
I did not confide to Melannie my dreadful discovery, but she was not
slow in noticing a change in the demeanour of the men with whom she
formerly had daily intercourse.
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