It was daybreak when the pursuers took up the trail.  The plateau on the crest of this range was in places several miles wide, having a luxuriant growth of grass upon it.  The course of the robbers continued to the southwest.  The pursuers kept this plateau for several miles, and before descending the western slope of the range an abandoned camp was found, where the pursued had evidently made their first bunks.  Indications of where horses had been picketed for hours, and where both men and horses had slept were evident.  The trail where it left this deserted camp was in no wise encouraging to the marshal, as it looked at least thirty-six hours old.  As the pursuers began the descent, they could see below them where the San Juan River meanders to the west until her waters, mingling with others, find their outlet into the Pacific.  It was a trial of incessant toil down the mountain slope, wearisome alike to man and beast.  Near the foot-hill of this mountain they were rewarded by finding a horse which the robbers had abandoned on account of an accident.  He was an extremely fine horse, but so lame in the shoulders, apparently owing to a fall, that it was impossible to move him.  The trail of the robbers kept in the foot-hills, finally doubling back an almost due east course.  Now and then ranches were visible out on the mesa, but in all instances they were carefully avoided by the pursued.

Spending a night in these hills, the posse prepared to make an early start.  Here, however, they met their first serious trouble.  Both of the younger dogs had feet so badly swollen that it was impossible to make them take any interest in the trail.  After doing everything possible for them, their owner sent them to a ranch which was in sight several miles below in the valley.  Several hours were lost to the party by this incident, though they were in no wise deterred in following the trail, still having the veteran dog.  Late that afternoon they met a pastor who gave them a description of the robbers.

“Yesterday morning,” said the shepherd, in broken Spanish, “shortly after daybreak, four men rode into my camp and asked for breakfast.  I gave them coffee, but as I had no meat in my quarters, they tried to buy a lamb, which I have no right to sell.  After drinking the coffee they tendered me money, which I refused.  On leaving, one of their number rode into my flock and killed a kid.  Taking it with him, he rode away with the others.”

A good description of the robbers was secured from this simple shepherd,—­a full description of men, horses, colors, and condition of pack.  The next day nothing of importance developed, and the posse hugged the shelter of the hills skirting the mountain range, crossing into New Mexico.  It was late that night when they went into camp on the trail.  They had pushed forward with every energy, hoping to lessen the intervening distance between them and the robbers.  The following morning on awakening, to the surprise and mortification of everybody, the old dog was unable to stand upon his feet.  While this was felt to be a serious drawback, it did not necessarily check the chase.