o the little Indian town, and to a number of the
inhabitants. Since then the village stood further back at a higher
elevation, secure from the devastating floods which occurred at
frequent intervals. Here the Indians were living their wild life, sunk
in degradation and superstition, when found by Keith Steadman, medical
missionary from Eastern Canada. At the command of his veteran Bishop
of the Mackenzie River, he had forced his way over the Rocky Mountains,
sought out these wandering sheep of the wilderness, and for ten long
years lived in their midst.

It was uphill work to root out old ideas, to plant new seeds, and to
overcome the jealousy of the Medicine Men. Often his life was in great
danger, but in the end he conquered and won the confidence of the
natives.

With his own hands he assisted in erecting a log church and school
room, decorating the interior of the former with beautiful designs and
mottoes, much to the Indians' delight. In addition, there was the
little bell, which arrived some years later, and swung in the small
belfry, constructed of four long poles, by the side of the church.
Since then its sweet tones had called the natives together at the
appointed hour of seven. No matter how busily engaged they might be,
all work was suspended, and they hastened to the sanctuary to offer up
their devotions to the Great Father on high. At times Keith, returning
from visits to outlying bands of Indians, hearing the sound of the bell
some distance off, would know that all was well at the village.

During the summer of his tenth year at Klassan, he was summoned to the
Mackenzie River, to attend a Conference of missionaries which was to be
held there. It was a long journey, and he dreaded to leave his post
for such a length of time. Before departing, however, he called the
band together, committed them to care of the trusty native catechist,
Amos, and received their promises of true allegiance.

Keith had been absent but a few weeks, when a crowd of miners struck
Klassan. Prospectors had been roaming the land for years, and at
length made several good discoveries along the Kaslo.

The white men came, fifty strong, from the Lower Yukon, built their
cabins at Klassan close to the river, and began operations. The work
of mining progressed rapidly, and much gold was secured. During the
long winter evenings little could be done, so the men gathered at Jim
Perdue's place, which was store and saloon combi