CHAPTER XXXVIII.
ON SECRET WORK.
Buffalo Bill did not care to trust even Señor Otega with any secrets, for he knew not who he could place confidence in; but, having now come to the valley, being on the spot, he might find out from the señor some information that might be of value to him.
He wished to see just who the maiden he had rescued was, who the band of outlaws might be, when Señor Otego had said that not one of the secret foes of the people in the valley had ever been seen.
Then who was the officer in the Mexican uniform, and why was he in the valley thus attired, why the victim of these men?
It was to get at the bottom facts, as well as he could, that Buffalo Bill had started upon his visit to Señor Otega.
As he neared the ranch he saw the cattle and horses feeding near, the cowboys, five in number, guarding them and gazing curiously at him, and to these he nodded as he rode near, and said pleasantly:
“Good morning, pards.”
They returned his salute in silence, and were evidently surprised at seeing a stranger.
Going on up to the hacienda he saw Señor Otega just about to mount his horse, but discovering him, he turned toward him, and said: