"They tell me I was born of the sea," she said, "but I do not believe
that, for I seem to remember other faces, like yours, before I came
here."

It was then plain to me that this poor girl had been shipwrecked as a
child, and cast upon this island. It was sad to think that one so
beautiful should be condemned to live among savages, but I reflected
that my own case was no better, for it seemed unlikely I would return
to civilization. Melannie appeared to place full confidence in me from
our first meeting.

"I am not really queen," she said. "Ackbau is king, and I must do as he
tells me. He makes me speak his words, but sometimes I would rather not
say what he bids me."

I sympathized with her, for I could readily understand why this Ackbau,
who was the chief before whom I had been taken, chose her to be his
mouthpiece. She had become a goddess to the tribe, and it was thought
she could speak nothing wrong. So that by using her as his medium
Ackbau gained his ends without accepting responsibility.

Whilst I was talking to the queen I could not help admiring the jewels
in her diadem, and seeing I was pleased with them she invited me to
accompany her to a rock cavern near to her dwelling, where I saw such
an accumulation of wealth that I began to picture myself among the
richest of men. The floor of this cave was carpeted with gold dust, and
nuggets of the same precious metal were piled high against its walls.
But what caused me to rub my eyes in wonder was a slab of opal, which
seemed ablaze with the fire it contained. Upon this priceless table