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. This gave it an old look, and the horse certainly would not be known by the man who had owned him. Just at midnight a low moaning was heard. As the wind had come up, and was whistling about the old hacienda, it made the moaning seem more dismal than ever. Then deep groans were heard. A few scouts moved uneasily at this, but no one rose, no one spoke. The weeping of a woman followed, without causing any disturbance among the sleepers, if any one was really asleep. Next was heard the plaintive wailing of a child. Still no one stirred. A few minutes after there was a perfect chorus of these melancholy sounds, and still the scouts lay quiet. Suddenly, without warning, the same unearthly, terrible shriek which had before brought all the scouts to their feet echoed through the old hacienda. To say that some of the scouts started would be but the truth. But all had their orders from Buffalo Bill, and not a man moved. The shriek had caused hardly any more disturbance than had the moans, weeping, and wailing. But, as though angry at having remained unnoticed, the shrieker sent forth peal after peal, until Buffalo Bill called out: “Oh, quit that racket, ghost, and go back to your grave; for we can’t help you.” The scouts laughed, and in a moment the sounds ceased altogether. Nothing more disturbed the night’s rest, and the morning dawned with the secret sleuths the victors. Buffalo Bill rose early, and while breakfast was being got ready he went out and scaled the cliff. “Pards, to-night some of us will camp out upon that cliff,” he said upon his return. CHAPTER XL.