And what was it that made the group gather so eagerly around the body?
Was it a humane desire to see whether any spark of life remained?
No, indeed; the corpse was cold, and the limbs were rigid; there was no chance that animation should be restored.

What then was it that kept them lingering so close around?
It was only too apparent what they were about to do.
But I did not, could not, look.

I refused to take part in the horrible repast that was proposed.

Neither would Miss Herbey, Andre nor his father, consent to alleviate their pangs of hunger by such revolting means.

I know nothing for certain as to what Curtis did, and I did not venture to inquire; but of the others,--Falsten, Dowlas, the boatswain, and all the rest,--I know that, to assuage their cravings, they consented to reduce themselves to the level of beasts of prey; they were transformed from human beings into ravenous brutes.
The four of us who sickened at the idea of partaking of the horrid meal withdrew to the seclusion of our tent; it was bad enough to hear; without witnessing the appalling operation.