r my experience as a
prisoner I was informed that the general had been waiting for me for
two weeks.

"I'm glad you've come, Bill," said the general. "While we've been at
this Post a number of valuable animals have been stolen, as well as
many Government horses and mules. We think the thieves are still near
the fort. Fresh tracks have been found near Fort Lyon. Perhaps Bill
Green, the scout who has been up there, can tell you something about
them."

Sending for Green, I found that he had marked the place where he had
lost the trail of the marauders.

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!"

To the auctioneer and an inquisitive officer I showed my commission as
a United States detective. With Farley and Green, who