“Yes, that is so, and from that standpoint it was best; but the cleverness of that apparition act shows that they have some means of getting in and out that we are not on to yet, chief.” “Well, it won’t be long before we are, if the men are not stampeded by a supposed ghost,” was Buffalo Bill’s answer. In the band of brave men congregated in the hacienda that night, about half of them had a superstitious dread of the old deserted mission ranch. Buffalo Bill saw just how these men felt, and he read the faces of those who had no dread. So he said, as all were seated in the ranch waiting to retire: “Remember, pards, I believe that efforts will be made to drive us out of here to-night. Not by direct force, for, with our numbers, they will not attempt any attack. “But this hacienda is very old. Strange deeds have been done here, crimes committed, and most mysterious happenings have occurred. “Now, there is no such thing, as all of you know, as spooks and ghosts, for the dead never come back to earth in spirit form. But, relying upon the fears of many that believe in spooks, wicked men play the ghost act to frighten all away from this place for a purpose of their own. “My idea is that this place has been the abode of outlaws, and our coming here thwarts their game to keep hidden. As they dare not attack us openly, they will play the specter game and try and stampede us. “But that will not go with you, and as an extra precaution to-night I will keep four men on duty instead of two. Two of you can be together: a couple in the hacienda, the others about the grounds. “But, remember, neither of the guards must move into the domains of the others, for my orders are to shoot everything on two legs you see prowling about, be it ghost or man. “Now, Jack, you go on duty with three men until midnight, and I will relieve you then with three more.” This plain talk quieted the foolish dread of those who had been feeling anxious as to what might happen, and Texas Jack went on duty with three men whom he called to follow him, being careful to select two of the three whom he knew had an uncanny fear of the place. One of them he left on guard at the hacienda with a comrade who had no fear of ghosts, and the other he took out in the grounds with him, though showing no sign that he suspected either. The horses were huddled together in one corner of the walled-in plaza, and the cattle were in another, all quiet and apparently wondering why they were penned up. As the guards left the hacienda the others turned in for the night, and were soon fast asleep, Buffalo Bill setting the good example by dropping off instantly into a deep slumber. Soon after the guards had gone on duty, the horses began to grow uneasy, just why Texas Jack could not understand. As they still continued their restlessness, he told the man who was with him to stand guard at the gateway while he went among the restive animals. But the man preferred to go with him, and he said no more.