546 from blame for the present condition of affairs. [Did he mean more than as far as the trading for fox skins is con- cerned?] Today I have given etc. an order covering this matter and another for skins enough to pay Peter for the material and work connected with outfitting my southward party. Those fox skins are a stench in the nos- trils of everyone connected with the expedition, except Mac, who knows their real history. They are really responsible for much of the intense bitterness toward Mac which is felt by every man in the staff except possibly Joh about whose attitude I am not informed in full, though I know that he was informed that he called Mac down regarding the owner- ship of the skins. I am told