Lone Star had heard the shriek, for it had even reached the men on guard at the gate. He said every scout was up and ready for business.
“This must not be,” said Buffalo Bill. “They must pay no attention to any sounds they hear, and then we will master the situation.”
This order was given secretly to each one of the men, and they returned to their beds, though some did not care to sleep, as that unearthly shriek still echoed in their ears.
The morning dawned, and then Buffalo Bill gave orders to each man to retire the next night early, and to pay no attention to moans, groans, weeping, wailing or shrieks.
“We will disappoint them, pards. And more, only one man need stand guard to-night in the hacienda, and one at the gate.
“If there is cause for alarm, a pistol shot will be the signal to bring up to the spot where we are needed, but remember, nothing less than seeing a ghost to-night counts, for hearing them is nothing.”
These orders were given away from the hacienda, where no one could hear, if concealed within the walls.
The men to guard the cattle left early with the herd and the horses, and the trail of Buffalo Bill’s horse and the led animals was blotted out to the lake.
One of the men even rode the horse of the dead kidnaper out on duty.
His heavy tail had been thinned out more than half, as also had his bushy mane, while two brands had been put upon him that looked old. This was done by folding a cloth, saturating it in water, placing it upon the side of the animal, and then holding the red-hot brand against it until the hair was scalded off, but the flesh not burned.