Sketches of the 



jjafety, leaving the constable only able to wonder at bU 

 escape; as the canoe had not been brought over the portage, 

 and he in consequence could not pursue him, Menessino 

 easily found his way back to his lakes. 



In person, he is described as a tall, active, athletic man, 

 with an expression of countenance not unpleasing, but 

 even indicative of mildness and quietude. Under this calm 

 exterior is, however, concealed a disposition to cruelty 

 and violent passions, which renders him fearful to all when 

 excited by anger or jealousy. Our guide's rude draught 

 of him, reminded nie somewhat of Byron's Corsair, dark 

 and dangerous. Two wives have died by his hand; the 

 grave of one we visited on the shores of Lake Kempt — he 

 killed her in a paroxysm of anger, by cleaving her head 

 with an axe. The manner in which he destroyed the other 

 I do not remember. Strange to relate, the place where he 

 lias chosen to bury the first unfortunate woman, seems to 

 be a favorite spot of the murderer, for there we found his 

 bath and summer cabin, which the guide told us he is 

 accustomed to inhabit. On the same spot are also two 

 pther graves, one filled by his own mother, who was mur- 

 dered on a sand-beach of Lake Malawin, by the hands of 

 Menessino's daughter, her own grand-child. Our guide 

 was present when this unnatural murder was perpetrated. 

 He and another were crossing Lake Malawin, on a "der- 

 rouine" excursion, when observing two women fighting 

 pq the sand, they approached in their canoe, and found 

 they were the mother and daughter of Menessino, who 

 liimself was seated by coolly looking on and smoking. — 

 The Canadians expressed a desire to separate them, but 

 Menessino forbade them, and said '* let the women figlit." 

 'fhe ^ext minute, our guide saw the young girl get tI^& 



