JUDICIAL INVESTIGATION. 295 



opportunity of investigating the truth of the 

 report about the pemmican. 



There had been much exaggeration, but the 

 charge was not altogether without foundation, 

 as one man confessed that he had given his wife 

 a sound drubbing for having taken some ; with 

 this exception, however, neither Mr. M c Leod 

 nor the interpreter would believe that the bags 

 had been touched, an opinion which could not 

 then be put to the test of an examination, as the 

 Indians were dispersed. Among the number 

 of the accused was a Chipewyan called Jack, 

 who, on being interrogated, merely pointed to 

 his bag, and asked if it was in any way altered, 

 or looked as if it had been opened. " And for 

 what reason," said he, "should I do so? Have 

 I not as much and more than I can eat ? And if 

 it were not so, have I been so long with the 

 chief as to take his property without leave ? 

 No, I am not a thief; I know white men 

 better." This was spoken without any appear- 

 ance of ill-feeling ; but when he learned that a 

 Yellow Knife had accused him, his countenance 

 settled into a sullen frown, that bespoke deter- 

 mined revenge. Merely saying that he " would 

 see him," he remained silent, and in the even- 

 ing went away with Mr. M c Leod, who was to 

 push on for Musk-Ox Rapid, and send his men 

 back to our aid if he thought we should require 



u 4 



