Hepburn and I were not in a condition to resist even an open attack, nor could we by any device escape from him.

Our united strength was far inferior to his and, beside his gun, he was armed with two pistols, an Indian bayonet, and a knife.

In the afternoon, coming to a rock on which there was some tripe de roche, he halted and said he would gather it whilst we went on and that he would soon overtake us.

Hepburn and I were now left together for the first time since Mr.Hood's death, and he acquainted me with several material circumstances which he had observed of Michel's behaviour and which confirmed me in the opinion that there was no safety for us except in his death, and he offered to be the instrument of it.

I determined however, as I was thoroughly convinced of the necessity of such a dreadful act, to take the whole responsibility upon myself and, immediately upon Michel's coming up, I put an end to his life by shooting him through the head with a pistol.