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, coming from 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.