"I will tell you what we will do, gentlemen all.

We three will draw cuts for the honor of going with him." "Lots ?" said Amyas.

"I don't like leaving such grave matters to chance, friend John." "Chance, sir?
When you have used all your own wit, and find it fail you, then what is drawing lots but taking the matter out of your own weak hands, and laying it in God's strong hands ?" "Right, John!" said Frank.

"So did the apostles choose their successor, and so did holy men of old decide controversies too subtle for them; and we will not be ashamed to follow their example.

For my part, I have often said to Sidney and to Spenser, when we have babbled together of Utopian governments in days which are now dreams to me, that I would have all officers of state chosen by lot out of the wisest and most fit; so making sure that they should be called by God, and not by man alone.
Gentlemen, do you agree to Sir John's advice ?" They agreed, seeing no better counsel, and John put three slips of paper into Frank's hand, with the simple old apostolic prayer-- "Show which of us three Thou hast chosen." The lot fell upon Amyas Leigh.
Frank shuddered, and clasped his hands over his face.
"Well," said Cary, "I have ill-luck to-night: but Frank goes at least in good company." "Ah, that it had been I!" said Jack; "though I suppose I was too poor a body to have such an honor fall on me.