Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1884-01-08
STORY OF 4 CANNIBAL.

While Franklin was on his Journey, IN
search OF assistance, terrible scenes were
enacted in tie cncampmcnt Of Dr. Richard.
son and his friends. Two OF the mcn died
but an addition was made 10 the party 5y
the arrival Of one Michel, an lroquois Indian
who had started off with Franklin, but had
fallen back, being, as he said, unable to
proceed. He was one Of four ia5 1t sub:e-
uuentlv became known who had been left
on the road, bat the other three were never
heard of again. When Michel arrived he
brought with him some pieces OF flesh,
which he said were part OF a wolf he had
killed on his journey. lie soon became
gloomy and sullen, and his manner excited
suspicion. for il was observed that while
others we're fading away from starvation,
he was strong and robust, aud capable OF
hunting. He haunted the presence of
Richardson and Hepburn, suspicicusly
Watching all their movements, and never
allowing them IL be for J. moment alone.
lie refused to assist III collecting tripe de
roche or in searching for food, and rs poor
Hood was lying in the tent, unable 10 move,
and apparentlv near to death, the doctor
sleeves to try and obtain some supplies. One
day, when they were so occupied, they were
startled by the sound OF q gun fired III
the tent, and rushing in they found their
brave, noble comrade lying dead and killed
bv q bullet through the head Lying by his
side ,sas Bickersteth's scripture Help"
omen. as if it had just fallen from his hand
omen, as if he had been reading ii III the in
stant OF his death Michel, the lroquois,
was at the tent when the gun was diScharg-
ed he came forward to say it must either
have gone off accidentally. or Hood must
have committed suicide. and then seeing the
faces of his companions said incautiously,
"Do you suppose murdered him." Neither
Richardson nor Hepburn dared 10 utter Il
word, but they both felt their worst suspi-
cions confirmed They were satisfied that
the flesh Michel had brought with him was
not VOLTS but human flesh, parts OF the
bodies of those who had fallen in ErankIn's
party: thev felt sure that Hood had been
murdered hY Michel. for the bullet bad en-
tered al the bach; oftnc head and tDcy did Hot
not doubt that they were reserved tor inc
fate. / situation more terrible can scarcely
be conceived two companions dead OF
starvation: Il third, young. talented. pure IN
heart ard life. cruelty murdered; and them
selves both weak and Ill, at the mercy OF .
strong inan-stronG hv rannl2a.iSnl and
alone III tho vast Wilderness o ice and snow.
Three days after the murder of Hood, the
three survivors. Rch"rd5)u Hepburn ana
Michel, started oil o=teusihly to make their
way towards Fort Enterprise, but the two
doomed man lelt morally certain that they
would never reach that placC-they knew
that with tho damnatory evidence OF guilt
they had, Michel would never allow that
they knew hat every movement was watch
ed, insomuch that from the moment Of
Hoods death they had never had the or
portunity of saying one word &c cach other
alone. On the first day Of their march,
Michel stayed belSnd for q little while, on
the pretcxt OF gathering some tripc dc rochc.
Richardson's suspicious were at once excl
ted il was the first time he had an oppor
tun;ly Of speaking to Hepbura alone, and
found that his feelings were identical with
his own. He resolved in 3 moment on
the course he would pursue Michel WAS
approaching. Richardson turned to meet
him, and taking from his bosom Il loaded
pistol fired lis contents into the head OF tho
fcud in human guisc, who fell dead ~ his
feet 1t was u step not taken until the
very last moment Of need; 1t was taken not
one moment too soon, for they found that
Michel had not gathered any tripe de roche,
although there was plenty to be found, but
he had loaded hia Gun The two then set
forward together on their journey, and after
er terrible march at last arrived at Fort
Enterprise.-Hroc Of Byitdin in Peace GAd
Var.