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 
him, and remained out the whole day. He would not 
sleep in the tent 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 fire. Next day, about two 
P.M., the gale abating, Michel set out as he said to 
hunt, but returned unexpectedly in a very short time. 
This conduct surprised us, and his contradictory and 
evasory answers to our questions excited some sus- 
picions, but they did not turn towards the truth. 
October 15th:—In the course of this day Michel 
