“First, he must be searched, then buried to-night in the grave with the other one, and his horse must be disguised.”
“I understand, chief.”
“In the morning drive the cattle and horses over my trail to the lake.”
“Yes, chief.”
Feeling that he could leave all to Texas Jack, Buffalo Bill dismounted and entered the walled-in grounds, discovering that the men had during the day made a barrier that nothing could break through. Then he went on to the hacienda, for he was both tired and hungry.
The men welcomed their chief in a way that showed how glad they were to see him back, and that they felt a most warm regard for him.
But he said nothing of his adventure other than to tell them to go out and see Texas Jack.
Buffalo Bill had no desire to say anything in the hacienda that other ears than those his words were intended for should hear. He was very suspicious about the old structure, for, though it seemed one could discover if there were secret closets about it, he very well knew that such had not been found out, and they were certainly there.
This was proven by the mountain lion in the corridor, the sounds of moaning and weeping, and the howling of a dog the night before. Those sounds could only have been made by persons in concealment.