The McGuffy sisters were born with the jungle drums beating in their breasts.  Their father, Max McGuffy, explored the South Seas his entire adult life, and he raised his daughters among the natives in the region.  The above photo (circa 1909) shows the sisters in native dress out for a walk.

Maxene documented her experiences in a diary that became the basis for the book, I Married a Cannibal:  The Remarkable Life of Maxene McGuffy.  It’s a wonderful tale told in Maxene’s unique style.  Her optimistic outlook permeates the entire book but no more so than in the chapter about how her sisters, Laverne and Patricia (Patty), mistakenly wind up as part of the feast at Maxene’s wedding.  Most women would have let their sisters’ being roasted in front of them spoil their big day, but not Maxene.  Here’s an excerpt from the book:
 

I felt so bad.  It was just one of those crazy things that happens sometimes in the jungle, but I figured that Laverne and Patty might blame me because it was my wedding and all, so I said to myself, “What would Papa do?”

Then it’s like I heard a voice telling me, “Why, hell, I’d get drunk.”  So I did, and then I grabbed my camera and started snapping pictures of the girls as fast as I could.  It made me feel so much better.  I just wish the cook wouldn’t have covered their eyes like that.  They had such pretty eyes, especially, Patty.  I think the witch doctor kept the eyes.  They’re supposed to be great for casting spells and such.