Four men were members of the Speluncean Society, an organisation of amateurs who explored caves. In May 4299, they were in a position far from the entrance to the cave when a landslide occurred. The entrance of the cave was blocked by heavy boulders and the men were unable to leave. They settled near the obstructed entrance of the cave to wait for a rescue party.
They had no food and water. Twenty three days later, one of them, Roger Whetmore, suggested that they choose one amongst themselves to kill and eat in order to survive. He also suggested that they use a pair of dice that he had with him to cast lots to determine which one of them would be sacrificed to save the other three. The other three agreed to the plan.