I certainly offered Mr.Wentzel some paper when he quitted us but he declined it, having then a notebook, and Mr.Back gave him a pencil.) I however wrote this news on a plank in pencil and placed it in the top of your former bedstead where I left it.

Since it has not been found there some Indians must have gone to the house after my departure and destroyed it.

These details, Sir, I have been induced to enter into (rather unexpectedly) in justification of myself and hope it will be satisfactory..