The answer was a cheer, and the march was taken up for the fatal ranch. If there was one of the scouts who longer felt dread of the ruin, that is, a superstitious dread, he did not show it. The place was again occupied, and after a talk with the men, before they reached the hacienda, it was agreed by one and all that not a word should be uttered there that would in any way give their plans away. That night a move would be made by Buffalo Bill which should lay the foundation for the laying of the spooks, and all were on the eager watch for what was to come. CHAPTER XLII. A STARTLING VISIT. Night came and Buffalo Bill was on guard at the gate with Winfield. The cattle and horses had not been driven in, as the scouts had returned home, and there were enough for four for night duty and four for day duty, with the others to look to the duties about the hacienda, and be ready for any service they might be called upon to do. As Buffalo Bill had signified his intention of going on an expedition the next day, he carried his blankets down to the entrance to sleep there, and have Texas Jack call him. Jack awoke the chief just at dawn, asking: “Now, what does it mean, chief?” “I am going to make a call--in fact, a couple of them, for I shall dine with Señor Otega, and from there go on to the hacienda of the fair hermit.” “Do you mean it, chief?” “Certainly.” “Don’t go there.” “Is it the fair hermit you distrust, or her cowboys?” “It is the king of the cowboys I have no faith in, and his men will do as he tells them, as my dying friend said.” “I do not doubt that.” “He is bitter over our coming here, as all of them are, and he will seek to do you harm in some way, I am sure.” “My dear Jack, that is just why I want you and the boys along.” “Ah!” “You are to follow my trail, you know, and, stopping at the Otega ranch later in the afternoon, some time after my departure from there, he will give you a couple of men to accompany you, guiding you to the hacienda of the fair hermit. “You can then go as near as you dare, meet me upon my departure, and on the return, instead of having one man to waylay, as they will expect, they will find half a dozen, and I will not fall into the trap.” “I see.” “I do not know that they would kill me, I rather think they would not; but just now I wish to take no chances--wish to keep out of trouble--as I am playing a little secret game myself, which you will all be let into as soon as I make a discovery or two I hope to. “Now, follow in a couple of hours, and when you reach the Otega ranch go there alone, leaving the men in hiding.” With this Buffalo Bill rode along the trail, now well known to him, leading to the home of Señor Otega. He was watchful as he rode along, as he deemed it necessary that he should be.