“Anything wrong, Jack?”
“The cattle and horses are very restless, and Paul thinks ghosts are about, but we have seen nothing, though we have heard the howling of a dog and hooting of an owl.”
“Well, Jack, I will relieve you and Pinto Paul, and Broncho Rawlings will stand guard over the cattle while I take the gate. You, Winfield, return to the hacienda and relieve Sam, taking Haskell with you.”
This was done, Broncho Rawlings taking his stand among the cattle, and at once beginning to sing as Texas Jack and Pinto Paul had done, for they were, indeed, restless.
Winfield and Haskell returned to the hacienda, accompanied by Texas Jack and Pinto Paul, who muttered:
“I suppose it will be out of the frying pan into the fire in the old ghost nest.”
The men were all awake now, yet not up. But Texas Jack showed no dread, simply remarking that a ghost would be made of those in reality who were playing the spook act, and he turned in.
Pinto Paul, meanwhile, stirred up the fire for light, not heat, and sat by it, merely remarking:
“Now, I’m not sleepy a little bit, pards.”