Marjorie Darter

“ Those who are unfortunate enough to draw short lots are sacrificed one month and the long lots are given the next, and so on.
Horrible? No, just customary sacrifice, not especially pleasant for the unlucky devils, but they believe in thus dying so that their spirits may be assured of eternal rest and happiness.
Is it strange that these words should come from a white man’s pen? No, it is not, for I am dead and so am permitted to speak to the material world through others. ”

“ It was the drawing of the lots, as I have said, and all were assembled to hear the chief Yuano priest read the sacrificial notes and decrees. He stated that twenty natives would appease the Gods this month and that old and young alike should draw.
I trembled and clung closer to my mother’s skirts, for I was but a young lad and life was sweet to me. I did not like the ugly, grinning jaws and wickedly gleaming small eyes of the God Yuano. I did not wish to leave the flowers and beasts of this world for the "Eternal Sphere." ”

“ My little craft was still unhurt and I was buoyed up by the hope that I might starve to death before one of their lunges should upset me. But no, I was not to cheat the Gods thus, for a huge log crashed into me, and over I went with a shrill horrified cry into the open jaws of a waiting Yuano! ”