One night I made camp near the little town…
source date: 1891
availability: public-domain

One night I made camp near the little town of Chama, and to my surprise, next morning discovered that I was minus my horse. The saddle and saddle blankets I had used, one for a pillow, the other for a bed. I immediately looked the ground over and come to the con- clusion that my horse had been stolen. I tracked the horse quite a distance and returned to camp that night after a fruitless chase. Next day I concealed my saddle and blanket and took the trail, leading in a northerly direction, centering the great valley of San Fernando de Taos. I arrived at Taos on the third day, and was told by the people there that a horse answering my description was seen the day before entering a large canyon north of the place. It being late and a drizzling rain falling, I was advised to remain over to next morning, which I did. I started out next morning and soon was on the trail. Ascending one of the mountains I halted to drink water, there being a little gathered in one of the hoof prints I had been following. In stopping to drink I discovered particles of gold, evidently washed down from an exposed rock projecting tv/o feet above the hoof-print. I did not stop, feeling satisfied that I would soon have my horse. Crossing the mountain I was soon at the famous Maxwell land grant, and encountering several mining camps, no one could give me information of my horse.

m an exposed rock projecting tv/o feet above the hoof-print. I did not stop, feeling satisfied that I would soon have my horse. Crossing the mountain I was soon at the famous Maxwell land grant, and encountering several mining camps, no one could give me information of my horse. Then I gave up the chase, having lost all traces. Descending one of the lofty peaks I was soon inclosed in a beautiful canyon which let out to Ute creek.