Next morning, accompanied by Green, Jack Farley, and another scout, I set out after the horse-thieves.
While making a circuit about the tracks we had found leading away from the spot where Green discovered them, we found the trail of twelve animals—four mules and eight horses—in the edge of the sandhills.
From this point we had no trouble in trailing them down to the Arkansas River. This stream they had followed toward Denver, whither they were undoubtedly bound.
When we got within four miles of Denver we found that the thieves had passed four days before. I concluded that they had decided to dispose of the animals in Denver. I was aware that Saturday was the big auction day there, so we went to a hotel outside the town to await that day. I was too well known in the city to show myself there, for the thieves would have taken alarm had they learned of my presence.
Early Saturday morning we rode into the city and stabled our animals at the Elephant Corral. I secured a room in a hotel overlooking the corral, and took up a post of observation. I did not have to wait long.
A man, whom I recognized at once as Williams, one of our old packers, rode into the ring, mounted on Lieutenant Forbush's mule, and leading another Government mule. This mule had been recently branded, and over the "U.S." a plain "D B" had been stamped.
As the man's confederate did not appear I decided he was outside with the rest of the stolen animals.
When Mr. Forbush's mule was put up at auction I came down to the corral and walked through the crowd of bidders.
The packer saw me, and tried to get away, but I seized him firmly by the shoulder.
"I guess, my friend," said I, "that you'll have to go with me. Make any resistance and I'll shoot you on the spot!"