Ghost of Chance

by Burroughs, William S.

• ISBN13: 9781852424572
• ISBN10: 1852424575
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2002-09-01
• Publisher: Consortium Book Sales & Dist

Summary

"The man's got something to say, so shut up and listen."--"Time Out"

Excerpts

Ghost of Chance by William BurroughsLeadtext: CAPTAIN MISSION STRAPPED on his double-barreled flintlock, which he kept loaded with shot charges, and thrust a scabbarded cutlass under his belt. He picked up his staff and walked out through the settlement, stopping here and there to talk to the settlers.They had found an excellent red clay for bricks and were constructing two-story dwellings with second-story balconies supported by heavy hardwood pillars. These buildings had been joined to form a tier, with the dining and kitchen areas in the two downstairs rooms and the sleeping and dressing areas upstairs. The balconies were connected and were used for sleeping hammocks and pallets. These structures faced the sea, and steps led down to the bay, where a number of boats were moored.THE WORD FOR 'lemur' meant 'ghost' in the native language. There were taboos against the killing of ghosts, and Mission had imposed an Article that prohibited killing them, on penalty of expulsion from the settlement. If any crime deserved the death penalty, also prohibited under the Articles, then this was that crime.He was seeking a different lemur species, described by a native informant as much bigger_like a calf, or a little cow.'Where are the big ghosts?'The native gestured vaguely inland. 'You must be careful of the evil Lizard-Who-Changes-Color. If you fall under its spell, you too will change color. You too will turn black with anger, and green with fear, and red with sex . . .''Well, what is so wrong with that?''In a year you will die. The colors will devour your skin and flesh.''You were talking about a big ghost. Bigger than a goat . . . Where are they to be found?''When you hear Chebahaka, Man-in-the-Trees, then Big One not there. Her cannot be where noise is.''Her?''Her. He. For Big Ghost is same.''So. He is where Man-in-the-Trees isn't?''No. He is there when Man-in-the-Trees is silent.'This occurred at dawn and sunset.

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Excerpted from Ghost of Chance by William S. Burroughs
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