THE SHOT ON THE CLIFF. The secret sleuths all seemed particularly pleased with their chief and themselves, when they felt that they had not been turned out of their beds by the carrying on of the “ghosts” during the night. Those who had been most superstitious took heart also, and began to feel that the “dead folks” were not so much to be dreaded, after all. The guard at the entrance had reported that the cattle had shown no restlessness, and he had neither seen nor heard anything to alarm him, save the wild shrieks up at the hacienda. Buffalo Bill had picked out four men to accompany him to the cliff, when night came, to remain there on watch. A guard was also to be stationed in the tower, one at the gate and another at the entrance of the living wing. In case of an alarm five more scouts were to hasten over the wall, and, led by Lone Star, who knew the way, go to the help of those upon the cliff. Buffalo Bill had selected to accompany him Texas Jack, Kit Kingdon, Rio Grande Dick, and Blue Jacket Bob, all of them splendid fellows in a close fight. And all were to take their rifles along. They were to carry their blankets as well, so that all could sleep except one who watched. Quietly they slipped out of the gate, after dark, and, Buffalo Bill leading the way, they went around the wall to the cliff and began the steep climb by the aid of the trees. It was no easy task by day, and doubly dangerous in the darkness. But the climb was made in safety, and when the plateau was reached the five men formed a line, and, spreading their blankets upon the ground, lay down to watch. Buffalo Bill had taken the center position, and he told his men that they could go to sleep, as he would remain on guard and call them if he had any grounds for alarm. The men were thus stretched right across the plateau from one cliffside to another, and about a hundred yards apart, just over the ranch. But though each man spread his blanket, he did not go to sleep. All were too anxious to make some discovery that would enable them to entrap the outlaws. If there was an alarm, they were to rally toward their chief, and if their foes proved too numerous they were to give a signal for help from the hacienda, and then retreat toward the cliff overlooking it. Midnight came and passed without any sound, and then Texas Jack, who held the end position on the right, beheld a form in white coming from the cliff that looked down from the range over the plateau, and which rose several feet above it. He was instantly on the alert, and expecting that the one he saw was not alone, he dared not yet give the alarm. Nearer and nearer drew the form in white, gliding quickly along, until suddenly Texas Jack called out sharply: “Halt! Hands up!” There was a startled cry, a quick shot at random toward Texas Jack, and the white form was off like a deer toward the cliff.