I remembered the obstinate resistance of Arthur Pym, and how it was impossible for him to refuse to take his the tragedy about to be performed--he says this himself--and the horrible act whose remembrance must poison the existence of all those who had survived it.
Oh, that lot-drawing! The "short straws" were little splinters of wood of uneven length which Arthur held in his hand.

The shortest was to designate him who should be immolated.

And he speaks of the sort of involuntary fierce desire to deceive his corn that he felt--"to cheat" is the word he uses--but he did not "cheat," and he asks pardon for having had the idea! Let us try to put ourselves in his place! He made up his mind, and held out his hand, closed on the four slips.

Dirk Peters drew the first.

Fate favoured him.