26

Inevitably, Back won the argument. It was put to a vote, and the results revealed that a great majority was of a gormandizing disposition. Even Richards gave in, although, I doubt that she ever thought it was a good idea. Hungry people cannot reason on abstinence.¹ They decided that they would eat a feast that afternoon, each selecting the foods they most desired. It is notable that the crew did not consult with their controllers on Earth regarding this decision, nor did they inform them of it when they had eaten their fill. Such a lack of communication was becoming commonplace.

The stores were opened and the table spread with its velcro cloth. Even the nay votes (Franklin, Ge Ge, and Akaitcho) found their mouths watering. They consumed far more than expected, for once they began, nothing could allay their inordinate appetites.² Such a quantity of food would have more than satisfied them in ordinary times, but they were so exhausted by slender fare that their appetites had become enormous.³

And they probably would have continued to eat except that their bodies could not take it. As there was pain in entering starvation, now there was much greater pain in its sudden, if temporary, alleviation. The pain and sufferings were shocking after so long a privation and brought on a weakness that was irresistible, and for a short time, prevented any of them from moving.⁴ Their strength seemed to have been impaired by the recent supply of food.⁵ At the same time, they all began to suffer dreadfully from distention of the abdomen, and had no rest during the night until they vomited.⁶ None of the food remained in their stomachs.