At last the scout left the lake at a place where his trail led direct to the hacienda. He saw the glimmer of a light there, and he knew that it must be at the gate, and placed as a beacon to guide him home. Not a horse or a steer did he see, and he felt that they had all been driven into the grounds again for safety.
As he neared the gate, the cheery voice of Texas Jack called out:
“Is that you, chief?”
“Yes, Jack.”
“We were getting anxious about you, and not one of the men has retired.”
“What, more ghosts?”
“Not the shadow of one, but the men wished to remain up to see if you came in all right.”
“Oh, yes, I am all right. But I have a pack animal loaded with good things, for I have been off on a visit, and, Jack, I have another horse here, with his dead master upon him.
“Now, walls have ears, they say, and for fear the old hacienda may have some secret closets where foes are watching, I do not wish the men to breathe a word of this dead man.