Again bidding the beautiful girl good-by, Buffalo Bill left the garden, crossed the plaza to where his horse awaited him, and rode toward the gate.
There stood the keeper, who now saluted him with marked respect, again saying:
“You are the first stranger, señor, who ever gained entrance to this hacienda.”
As Buffalo Bill rode along he was not forgetful of being in great danger, and he was surprised when he did not see the ranch cowboys he had seen when he was on his way to visit the fair hermit. He was riding quietly along when he saw a horseman approaching, a splendid-looking man, well mounted, and with silver-mounted Mexican saddle and bridle.
Buffalo Bill knew him at once from what he had heard of the cowboy king.
Both saluted and halted, the cowboy king saying:
“Off your trail, señor?”
“No, for I have been to the hacienda.”
“And why?”