“Better’n that,” said Maverick, “to take ’em some time in the mines; folks like them are likely to get dizzy and fall some times, or get in the way of the ore buckets and be knocked silly.”
“Well, I’ll tell you what I want you to do; I’ll keep watch, and if I know of their going down to the cabin again, I want you to put some men on to watch out for them; we’ll investigate and find out what is going on. Put on what men you please, and have them report to me, and we’ll find out what this means, and make our plans accordingly.”
“That there’s a damned ticklish place to get any of the men to go late at night,” said Maverick reflectively.
“Why so?”
“That place is harnted, ye know, by the man on the spotted horse.”
“Oh, nonsense!” ejaculated Haight.
“It’s a fact though; he rides up and down there once in a while, and I wouldn’t want ter see him myself.”
“Oh, hang your ghost!” said Haight, impatiently, “tell your men if they see it to shoot it.”
“That wouldn’t do no good,” responded Maverick doggedly, “It’s the sight of it brings bad luck, and sometimes death. There was a fellow here two years ago, he seen it one night, and the next day he was killed in the mines; they said the ghost had called him.”
“Well,” said Haight, rising, “It would be well if your ghost would only call Houston and Van Dorn some night; but I want you to do as I say, anyway.”