THE NIGHT OF THE SACRIFICE
At last the night came when the snake god was to appear. The moon shone
with wonderful brilliancy, sending a path of dancing light from the
island across the sea to the horizon. The air was heavy as though
presaging a storm. On the mountain the black pall was conspicuous
against the star-spangled sky. A red glow from the crater illumined the
dark smoke-cloud hanging over it. The silence was broken by the
continued playing of reed pipes, making wonderful music. Melannie sat
upon a throne, close to the pool in front of the coral cave, in which
the stars were reflected as in a mirror. Ackbau and other chiefs stood
near her. The queen was pale, but her dark eyes were resolute. She
smiled when I looked at her, to give me encouragement. Her subjects
were assembled round the pool in a triple line. Presently the beating
of a war-drum announced the arrival of a procession, which advanced
slowly to the pool, bearing a litter upon which, bound hand and foot,
was stretched the unfortunate Van Luck. When they had come to the edge
of the pool they set the litter down and withdrew.
I had no cause to love Van Luck, yet there was something in his
helpless misery which appealed to me, and made it impossible for me to
abandon him to his fate without an effort to save him. Besides, he was
of my race, a white man. I could not leave him to be butchered by
savages.
And now the waters of the pool began to be agitated by the rising of
the leviathan from its depths, and suddenly a monstrous head, mounted
upon a neck full twenty feet long, rose out of the water. The body of
the creature resembled that of a turtle, only ten times larger than.
the biggest turtle I had ever beheld. Thrice the monster circled the
pool. Then it began slowly to approach the litter upon which Van Luck
lay, more dead than alive with the terror that had come upon him. I
could bear no more, and, throwing prudence to the winds, I ran to help
him. I was just in time to drag him beyond reach of the monster, who
made a rush to the edge of the pool when he saw his prey being taken
from him.
A great shout arose from the savages, who seemed amazed at the act of
sacrilege I had committed. The reed pipes stopped playing. Melannie
rose from her throne pale and trembling. Ackbau advanced towards me
with a threatening gesture.
"This must not be, Ackbau," I said, pointing to where Van Luck lay at
my feet gazing at the monster in mute terror. "I will prevent it."
Ackbau gave some directions, when a number of savages advanced,
evidently with the intention of taking me alive, so that I might be
given to the monster, which continued to swim round the pool lashing
the water into foam, and stretching its neck from side to side in anger
at having been robbed of its prey.
But now a new diversion arose which caused a panic among the savages.
We had all been so engrossed by what was taking place at the pool that
no heed had been given to the mountain. With a mighty roar which shook
the island to its foundations the volcano broke into eruption. The
crust had given way, and the internal fires, held in check, belched
from the crater. Huge rocks and stones glowing red hot were thrown to
incredible heights. The earth rocked and opened, so that many were
engulfed.
Streams of lava began to descend. The pool sank, leaving a deep pit
into which the monster disappeared. The prophecy was about to be
fulfilled. The snake god had been robbed of its tribute, and the island
with all upon it was to be destroyed. In, their terror the savages
raced for the seashore. Nothing was remembered but self-preservation.
I now released Van Luck from his bonds, and bidding him and Melannie
follow me, I led the way along the secret path to where the boat lay,
ready to put to sea. I was rewarded for my rescue of Van Luck by his
ability to help me. Not a breath of wind stirred, so that we could not
use the sail, and it became necessary to sweep the boat with the oars
away from the burning island. Alone I could not have accomplished this,
and I doubt if Melannie could have helped me, ignorant as she was of
the use of the heavy oar. But Van Luck and I had no difficulty in
sweeping the boat out to sea. Thus does Providence recompense a
merciful action.
When we had gained a safe distance from the island we rested awhile in
order to look back on the strangest and most terrific sight I had ever
beheld. The island seemed to be blown to atoms. Flames and masses of
rock shot up from the quickly-widening crater until the island, which
had lately risen like a beauty-spot in the ocean, became a mass of
fire. The lava, now pouring in red-hot streams into the sea, caused
steam-clouds to rise, so that the island disappeared behind a luminous
veil. None of the savages escaped, for we saw no canoes making from the
shore. Thus vanished the Island of Gems, with its treasure of jewels
and gold, the dross of the world, in the pursuit of which so many risk
their lives.
A light breeze now coming from the south-east, we hoisted the sails,
and taking the helm, I placed Van Luck in charge of the foresail,
whilst Melannie and I sat together in the stern. The queen did not
appear to regret the loss of her country.
"I am queen no longer," she said, clapping her hands at the thought of
her freedom. "Ackbau cannot frighten me any more, nor shall I see again
those dreadful sights I was compelled to witness."
"You will be happy," I whispered, "among your own people. You will be
rich also, for half my jewels will make you wealthy in the land to
which you are going."
"Nay, Peter," she answered. "I need not take your jewels. I have jewels
of my own. When I saw that you valued the bright stones, I knew they
would be of value to me also. I have a bagful of jewels, larger than
yours, and brighter." And, laughing to see the surprise she had given
me, Melannie drew out a handful of gems from a bag which she carried at
her girdle, which glowed with a wonderful lustre under the light of the
moon.
It was then that I saw Van Luck watching us from the bow of the boat.
His countenance wore a cunning, greedy look, and his eyes were fastened
upon the jewels in Melannie's hand.
"Put them away," I whispered. "Such toys are often the cause of much
trouble."
Melannie replaced the jewels, but seemed disappointed at my words.
"I thought you would be glad I had brought away the bright stones," she
said. "But if they are unlucky I will cast them into the sea."
"Nay, Melannie," I answered. "Keep them, for they will make you the
richest among the women of your own country. But do not show them to
anyone or let it be known that you have them with you, should we fall
in with a passing ship, or they may cause our ruin, perhaps our death."
Melannie seemed to understand me, but her pleasure in the bright stones
had received a check since her display of them had brought a rebuke
from my lips.