s
Missionary of such versatility of gifts, and such marvellous success in
his work!

Room only have I here, in addition to what has already been written, to
give some account of the sad event of his life, the accidental shooting
of his interpreter, Joseph Hasselton, and the after consequences.

Word reached Mr Evans one year, that the priests were endeavouring to
crowd up into the Athabasca and Mackenzie River country, and get a
foothold among some very interesting Indians whom Mr Evans had visited
and found very anxious for the truth. Desirous that they should not be
led away from the simplicity of the Gospel, he felt that the best plan
was for him to hurry up by light canoe and get into that country and
among his Indians before the priests arrived. They had gone the usual
route up the Saskatchewan, and from thence were to go over the height of
land, and then by boat down the streams which from those regions run
towards the Arctic Ocean.

Mr Evans' plan was to take what is called "the back route," that was,
to go partly down the Nelson River, and then, turning westward through
an almost endless succession of lakes and rivers and portages, arrive
before the other parties, although several weeks of severest toil would
be passed in making the long journey. With his beloved interpreter, who
was one of the most remarkable Indians of his day, a man who could talk
almost every Indian language spoken by the natives of the land, and,
what was better, a devoted Christian, full of zeal and enthusiasm for
the work, and with another reliable native from whom I received my
information as to what occurred, the long journey was commenced. For
several days they made good progress, and were rejoicing at the prospect
of success. One morning, very early, while they were paddling along in
the great Nelson River, Hasselton, the interpreter, who was in the front
of the canoe, said, "I see some ducks in those reeds near the shore.
Hand me the gun." In these small canoes the guns are generally kept in
the stern with the muzzles pointing back, so as to prevent accidents.
The man who was in the stern quickly picked up the gun, and foolishly
drew back the trigger. With the muzzle pointing forward he passed the
gun to Mr Evans, who did not turn his head, as he was earnestly looking
if he also could see the ducks. As Mr Evans took the gun passed to him
he unfortunately let the trigger, which had no guard around it, strike
against the tha