“No, it was best, for if this hacienda is the haunt of outlaws as I believe it has been, it will be by springing the supernatural upon us, that they will endeavor to frighten us away.”
“Yes, that is so, and from that standpoint it was best; but the cleverness of that apparition act shows that they have some means of getting in and out that we are not on to yet, chief.”
“Well, it won’t be long before we are, if the men are not stampeded by a supposed ghost,” was Buffalo Bill’s answer.
In the band of brave men congregated in the hacienda that night, about half of them had a superstitious dread of the old deserted mission ranch.
Buffalo Bill saw just how these men felt, and he read the faces of those who had no dread. So he said, as all were seated in the ranch waiting to retire:
“Remember, pards, I believe that efforts will be made to drive us out of here to-night. Not by direct force, for, with our numbers, they will not attempt any attack.
“But this hacienda is very old. Strange deeds have been done here, crimes committed, and most mysterious happenings have occurred.
“Now, there is no such thing, as all of you know, as spooks and ghosts, for the dead never come back to earth in spirit form. But, relying upon the fears of many that believe in spooks, wicked men play the ghost act to frighten all away from this place for a purpose of their own.
“My idea is that this place has been the abode of outlaws, and our coming here thwarts their game to keep hidden. As they dare not attack us openly, they will play the specter game and try and stampede us.
“But that will not go with you, and as an extra precaution to-night I will keep four men on duty instead of two. Two of you can be together: a couple in the hacienda, the others about the grounds.