“For the goodness of his heart and numerous rare qualities of his mind, he will always be remembered by those of the mountaineers who had the honor of his acquaintance.”

The terms of the commendation show the virtues which Mr. Carson could appreciate, and which he was accustomed to practice.  Of the missionary, Rev. Mr. De Smidt, it has been very truly written: 

“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 his path.  He worked during a long series of years in these dangerous localities, and when he at length returned to civilization he left an indelible name behind him.”

The Rendezvous continued for twenty days.  It was a constant festival, like the Olympic games of the Greeks, or the renowned Tournaments of more modern days, with the exception that business was intimately blended with pleasures.  It at length broke up into small parties.  Kit Carson, with seven companions, followed down the Green river, to Brown’s Hole; a narrow but sunny and fertile valley about sixteen miles long.  Here he found a party of traders, who were on an excursion to a numerous and quite wealthy band of Indians, called the Navajoes.  They seemed to have attained a degree of civilization considerably above that of any of the other tribes.  They had fixed abodes; had immense herds of sheep, horses and mules.  They had also attained, the art by a slow and tedious process, of weaving admirable woolen blankets; thick, warm and strong.  These blankets were quite renowned throughout all that region, and brought a high price.  Kit Carson joined the traders in their expedition to the country of the Navajoes.

Here they purchased many of these blankets, and a large drove of strong, fat mules.  With these they crossed the mountains, to a distance of three or four hundred miles, to a fort on the south fork of the Platte river.  At this place they disposed of their blankets and cattle to great advantage, and Mr. Carson promptly returned to the companions he had left at Brown’s Hole.  The traders undoubtedly received in payment the only currency of the country, beaver skins.  These they probably took with them to St. Louis for ultimate sale.  We know not how Mr. Carson invested his earnings.  It is very certain that he did not squander them in riotous living.  Subsequent events indicate that they were sent through the hands of the traders, Messrs. Thompson and Sinclair, to the States, there to be deposited to his credit.

The autumnal months had now passed away, and the blasts of approaching winter warned the hunters that they must seek a refuge from its storms.