No one was inside, and the general appearance of everything indicated that the place had been deserted--that the birds had flown.

Such, indeed, proved to be the case.
We found a new-made grave, where they had evidently buried the man whom I had shot.

We made a thorough search of the whole vicinity, and finally found their trail going southeast in the direction of Denver.

As it would have been useless to follow them, we rode back to the station; and thus ended my eventful bear-hunt.

We had no more trouble for some time from horse-thieves after that.
During the winter of 1860 and the spring of 1861 I remained at Horseshoe, occasionally riding pony express and taking care of stock..