"Thought mebby we'd be able ter see them signs better."
A shout of laughter went up and the sheriff grew very red in the face as he got down from the stone and mounted his horse without another word, and soon they were in motion again.
The Crotch was a deep defile between the high hills which in places rose almost perpendicularly. The path itself was several feet wide in places, but now and then narrowed down so that but one rider could pass at a time. Under foot it was uneven and rocky, making fast riding impossible.
"Who'd be fool enough ter try ter drive a bunch of cattle in here?" one man growled.
"It's probably because he's gone where no one would expect him ter go that nobody's been able fer find him," another retorted.
For over an hour they plodded through the passageway, every man keeping a close watch for any sign, however small, which might indicate a lead-off into the hills. But no such passage was found and about two o'clock they suddenly emerged onto a broad plateau which sloped gently down to the Rio Grande some two miles off.
"Guess your hunch had a kink in it, Skeets," someone called out.
The sheriff appeared quite crestfallen, although it seemed to Bob that he rather overdid it.
"Looks kinder like it fer a fact," he acknowledged. "And I was sartin we'd find him this time. But, remember, boys, you all get paid fer a day's work jest the same."
After a short rest for the horses they started home and reached the ranch soon after four o'clock.