The two quieted the horses, to find that the cattle also were getting restive, and, cowboy fashion, Texas Jack began to sing to them, for, as he muttered to himself: “If they stampeded they may break out, and about half the nags will go with them.” The cattle also became quieted under the weird chanting of the Texan, and then the horses once more became restive. “Say, Pinto Paul, you stay about the horses while I soothe the split-hoofs with the melody of my voice, which can lull them to rest,” said the Texan, in a light vein. “Jack, give me an order to tackle the mate of that mountain lion the chief killed, or to brace up against a couple of outlaws, and I’ll do it, but don’t expect me to play a lone hand, for I don’t intend to do it.” “You are surely not scared, Paul?” “I tell you that this is no place for living men when the dead are prowling about.” Texas Jack saw that Pinto Paul was in deadly earnest, and he said no more, merely remarking: “Well, Paul, if you think I am a foil to the ghosts we’ll stay together, and we’ll keep by the gate, so as to head the cattle if they make a break for it, and I’ll keep up my song.” CHAPTER XXXVI. THE FIRST NIGHT. The plaintive song of the Texan did have a soothing effect upon both cattle and horses. Thus the time passed away out in the grounds, while in the hacienda when all became quiet it seems that the spooks began to get in their work also. The first the guards heard was a low moan which sounded like a man in suffering, but just where it came from the two guards could not tell. The superstitious one of the two was for rousing the men at once, but his comrade said: “What for? We see no one, and it is merely a trick to frighten us, for the chief is right; this is an outlaws’ haunt.” When there joined in with the moaning the sound of a woman weeping, Mustang Frank began to show real fright, but Lone Star Sam calmed him, and the two listened to the strange sounds. As though a man’s moaning and woman’s weeping were not enough, there joined as a treble the sound of a child crying like one in pain. “Let’s arouse the chief.” “No, Frank, it is nearly midnight, and he’ll be on hand then. Besides, we cannot shoot, mind. This place is haunted by men whose interest it is to frighten us away; but we won’t scare a little bit, Frank.” “Speak for yourself, pard, for I’m about scared silly this blessed minute.” Lone Star laughed. “Listen!” he said. “I thought we would have more of it, for hear that dog join in the quartet, only I don’t like the music--ah! here comes the chief.” Buffalo Bill just then came out into the corridor. “Well, pards, we are having a serenade, I hear. But it is time for you to turn in, just twelve, and I’ll watch here, while Haskell stands by the outer door; but remain on duty until I return from seeing Texas Jack.” “Do you mean any one can sleep, chief, with this going on?”