328 Thirty Years 



unsupported by direct evidence, it has been judged 

 proper to mention it, especially as the subsequent 

 conduct of the man shewed that he was capable of 

 committing such a deed. The circumstances are very 

 strong. It is not easy to assign any other adequate 

 motive for his concealing from us that Perrault had 

 turned back, and his request overnight that we should 

 leave him the hatchet ; and his cumbering himself 

 with it when he went out in the morning, unlike a 

 hunter who makes use only of his knife when he kills 

 a deer, seem to indicate that he took it for the purpose 

 of cutting up something that he knew to be frozen. 

 These opinions, however, are the result of subsequent 

 consideration. We passed this night in the open air. 



On the following morning the tent was pitched, and 

 Michel went out early, refused my offer to accompany 

 bin), and remained out the whole day. He would not 

 sleep in the lent at night, but chose to lie at the fire- 

 side. 



On the 13th there was a heavy gale of wind, and 

 we passed the day by the lire. Next day, about two 

 P.M., tie' gale abating, Michel sel out as he sai<l to 

 hunt, hui returned unexpectedly in a very Bhort time. 

 r J 'his conduct surprised us, ami his contradictory and 

 rs to our questions excited some sus- 

 picions, hut they did not turn towards the truth. 



October loth. — In the course of this day Michel 



