While they were encamped upon Green River, an express rider, sent by the traders, came into camp and informed the party that the rendezvous would be held on Mud River.  With a large stock of beaver, the party started for that place, arriving in eight days.

Besides the usual traders and trappers, the party met at this rendezvous some missionaries and a distinguished English nobleman, Sir William Stuart.  Of this latter gentleman, Kit Carson says:  “For the goodness of his heart and numerous rare qualities of mind, he will always be remembered by those of the mountaineers who had the honor of his acquaintance.”

Among the missionaries was “Old Father De Smidt,” as he afterwards came to be familiarly called.  This gentleman is at present well known as being a leading literary and religious man at St. Louis, Missouri.  Perhaps there never was a person in the wilds of America who became so universally beloved both by the white and red man.  While in the mountains, he acted with untiring zeal for the good of all with whom he came into contact.  Wherever duty called him, there he was sure to be found, no matter what the obstacles or dangers spread upon the path.  He worked during a long series of years in these dangerous localities, and accomplished much good.  When, at last, he returned to civilization, he left an indelible name behind him.

In twenty days after the camp at the rendezvous was formed, it broke up again into small parties.  Kit Carson, with seven companions, went to Brown’s Hole.  This was a trading post.  Here they found two traders who were contemplating getting up a business expedition to the Navajoe Indians.  This tribe exhibits more traces of white blood than any other of the wild races in North America.  They are brave and fond of owning large possessions.  These consist chiefly of immense herds of fine horses and sheep.  In this respect they are not unlike the ancient inhabitants of the earth, who “watched their roving store” on Syrian soil and the contiguous countries.  The parties who desired to trade with them usually carried a stock of trinkets and articles of use, for which they received horses, mules, blankets and lariets.[13]

[Footnote 13:  A lariet is a beautifully made rope, manufactured from hides and used for picketing horses out upon the prairies.  They are worth, in New Mexico, about two dollars each.]

Navajoe blankets are very celebrated in the far west of America, and especially in old Mexico, where they are in great demand and command high prices.  Many of these articles are really beautiful, and, from their fine texture, together with the great amount of labor spent in their manufacture, are expensive, even when purchased of the Indians.  The art of weaving these blankets has been long known to the Navajoe Indians; and, all the female children belonging to the nation are taught the art during their earliest years.  It is only after much practice, however, that they become expert.