CHAPTER XXXII.UNDER A CURSE.
Buffalo Bill went on to tell how hard he had tried to find the owner of the bracelet, and what he considered proof that she and the wounded Mexican officer had covered up their tracks.
“I gave that deserted ranch a close call, sir,” resumed the scout, “for I was interested in it, and it was really a grand old ruin, avoided, as I found out later, by all, and feared, for it is known as the Haunted Hacienda, and the believers in ghosts all are sure that it is the haunt of evil spirits.
“I took it all in and made up my mind that it would be valuable for me to haunt when I returned to the valley with the force I was going to ask you to let me have, and which you have kindly given me.
“I rode on up the valley to the settlement of Silver Lake City without meeting a soul.
“That city, as they call it, is beautifully situated, and is composed of adobe houses, the people seeming to have very little to do. Some mine in the mountains, others of the men are cowboys on the ranches down the valley, there are several stores, saloons, and a blacksmith shop or two, with an old mission chapel and a priest. There is a halfway inn there, and if the landlord is not a villain, then his looks belie him.
“I told him I was looking for a ranch, and he told me there was none for sale.
“I asked him about the deserted hacienda, and he said that no one would live there, as it was haunted by evil spirits, and he either believed it, or could lie with as straight a face as I ever saw.
“He said the place belonged to some one in Mexico, who had inherited it; that every one who had last lived there had died overnight, from what cause no one knew, for there were no signs of violence upon them, but all were found dead in the morning, as also every horse, cow, sheep, and dog in the walled-in place.”
“This is a remarkable story, Cody.”
“Yes, but he told it as the truth, and there stands the deserted hacienda, with the graves, thirty-three in number, in one corner of the grounds.
“I asked the landlord as much as I dared, to try and find out who the maiden and the Mexican officer were. From what I could learn from him, if the one I rescued was the one he had in mind, the young lady is known as Suelo, the Recluse. She is the daughter of a Mexican nobleman, I heard, but lives alone at her hacienda, which is a fine one, with only her servants and a score of Mexican cattlemen, and all appear to worship her.
“But no one in the valley knows much about her,the landlord said, and who the Mexican officer was he did not know.
“I did not tell him I had rescued them, but merely said I had met them, and her beauty and his fine looks and uniform impressed me.
“I called upon the priest, but he was absent, and so I determined to bring the bracelet on with me, and when I go back I shall look up the owner, and then, sir, I shall take the deserted hacienda as my ranch.”
“Well, Cody, you are the best judge of just what to do; but I assure you I will not only be anxious about you, but will watch the result with great interest. If you need aid I will give you letters to the nearest posts, so you will be able to call on them for what men you may wish.”
“Thank you, sir. My idea was to stop at the government corrals on my way down—for you know they send the cattle southward to feed in winter—and borrow a lot of steers and horses to drive to my ranch and care for, thus carrying out the idea that I had gone to the valley to settle and make it my home.
“I shall tell the priest that I will pay rent when the owner demands it, and thus keep my taking possession of the deserted ranch from appearing a lawless act.”
“It would be a good idea. Come to me when you are ready to start, and I will give you all letters necessary to have you carry out your plans,” said the commandant,and Buffalo Bill departed, to prepare for his latest mission.
All the garrison at the fort wondered what was going on when they saw Buffalo Bill ride away from the post at the head of fourteen of the best scouts, most daring Indian fighters, and wildest riders on the frontier.
Men and horses had been picked for a purpose, it could be plainly seen. They had extra animals along, and half a dozen pack mules, well loaded with a camp outfit, provisions, and ammunition.
Those that saw them waiting for the start beheld Texas Jack, the noted ranger scout from the Lone Star State, and next in rank to Buffalo Bill at the post.
“Where are you going, Jack?” asked an officer of cavalry, passing the squad of wild riders.
“Don’t know, sir. Got orders to get ready for a long trail, and am prepared for a fight, foot race, or siege, sir.”
“I have not heard of any news that causes Colonel Carr to send out Cody and his picked saddle sharps,” continued the officer.
“Nor have I, sir.”
“Have none of the men an idea?”
“Not one, sir, and we are waiting for Cody, now, for he has gone to the colonel for last orders.”
As Texas Jack spoke, Buffalo Bill appeared, comingfrom the colonel’s quarters. He was splendidly mounted and armed.
“Which way, Cody?” asked the major of the post.
“Southward on a scout, major,” was Buffalo Bill’s reply, and, saluting, he rode to the head of the line, and gave the order to march.
The scouts obeyed, following in two files, Texas Jack at the head of one, Winfield leading the other, while two men brought up the rear, to keep the pack-mules closed up.
That the band of wild riders were curious about their going, was certain; but not a hint came from their chief, and not a man dared to question him.
The start had been made after dinner, and after a ride of twenty-five miles a halt was made for the night.
The next day forty miles were placed behind them, and the scouts knew that the chief had started upon a long journey.
So it went on for day after day, from forty to fifty miles being made, the cattle being well cared for, with long noonday halts, until the chief of scouts bore toward the right, into a land that was unknown to his followers.
“We will leave Santa Fe well to our left,” said Texas Jack to Winfield one day.
“Yes, but why does not the chief give us a hint of where we are going?”
“He will, in good time.”
“Oh, yes; but it is an important trail, I feel sure, and connected with his trip southward which he has just returned from.”
“No doubt it is; but the government cattle corrals must be in this course.”
“Yes, and I believe we are going after cattle; but to-morrow will tell, as the corrals and grazing grounds are on the headwaters of the San Juan, and that is the way we are pointed now, and we must reach there before two more camps.”
The same style of conversation and guesswork the other scouts indulged in, and still the chief said nothing as to their destination, and all decided that it was to the corrals to drive back cattle.
But that night, when they went into camp, Buffalo Bill said, after all had had supper:
“Pards, I have had nothing to say as to our mission, as there was little to tell you. But, as we strike the government corrals at noon to-morrow, I wish to say that we are to get there a large herd of cattle, and a band of a hundred or more horses.”
“Yes, we supposed that was what we were going for, chief,” said Texas Jack.
Buffalo Bill smiled, and replied:
“Colonel Carr thought it best for me not to tell you my purpose until we neared the corrals, and then, if any of you wished to back out, you could remain there,and I could find other men in your places; but I think I picked those men who will stand by me.”
“Just try us!” cried Texas Jack, and the other men all cried out in the same vein.
“Now, though we are going to get cattle and horses, we drive them south instead of north, and I tell you plainly that we are going to a pleasant valley where I am to turn ranchero, and you are to be my cattlemen.
“That I do this for other motives than posing as a ranchero, you may all be certain, and that there will be hot work ahead of us I feel very confident.
“Does any man wish to remain at the corrals?”
The response to this question of Buffalo Bill was so earnest that he knew he had nothing to fear from any one of his riders.