Following this stream down along the immense defile which nature seems to have opened for it through the Rocky mountains, they approached Fort Bent, which is about one hundred and fifty miles east of that gigantic barrier.
Mr.Carson's companions on this trip, were some of them at least, very peculiar characters,--very interesting specimens of the kind of men who are drawn from the haunts of civilization to the wilderness.

One was a man, probably partially insane, who was known through all the Rocky mountain region as "old Bill Williams." He had been a Methodist preacher in Missouri.

For some unknown reason he left the States and joined the Indians, adopting their dress and manners.

He was very familiar with the Bible and had marvellous skill in the acquisition of languages.

He would spend but a short time with any tribe before he became quite familiar with their speech.