Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1869-03-31
lonely wilds, and every man enjoyed
it with true gypsy zest.

1T with true gypsy zest.
Suddenly a shout from one OF the
men who were strolllng around, ar
rested the attention of the others
'Hallo, days!" he cried, I'm blest
if there isn't cave IN the hill Come
and see the hole under these bushes.
you never saw anything hidden neat
er in your lives"
Jones think nobody ever saw p
cave before" said one of the louI-
gers. ''For my part, think more OF
something to eat than hole IN the
ground.
This sentiment was echoed by the
others, but the inquisitive cave dis
coverer, nothing daunted, approached
the fire, took from it a torch, return
ed to the butte, parted the bushes,
revealing dark aperture in the
fac of the rock, .nd disappeared
within it, his light giving back yell
low glare for second after he had
ceased to be seen.
The camp revelry went on, the
cooking progressed, the minutes pass
ed Gu, and Jones did not reappear.
'If that fellow had found a gold
mine in there be wouldn't call one of
u.s." growled the louuger who had
before spoken. II wonder what Jones
has foune. III jest take alook, as din
ner isn't ready"
He arose lazily and distracted a
stick of burning wood for a torch,
proceeded to the cavern entrance, and
disapr cared from view.
probably" said Hurbert, "there's
cavern under the hill. If we had
time, it might pay to explore it.
Under the present circumstance, /
am like Brown, and prefer my din
ner to scientific explorations"
The meal seemed to be nearly ready
for the rafting of tin cups and dishes
began to be heard the lieutenant's
small camp-chest was unpacked, and
come to dinner.
"Have Jones and Brown came
back 2" asked the lieutenant, as he
rose to sitting position and glanced
towards the cavern.
'lGo after them then, King, and
hurry them up said the officer
1--WE must resume the march after
dinner, and cannot afford to waste
time here.
King, fine young soldier, took a
torch and entered the cave.
The dinner was de,.it out-hot sa-
worry steaks and roasts-the coffee
measured, and the meal commenced
but none of the men who had enter,
ed the cave made their appearance.
GLOW singular !" calculated Bryd-
ges, ties ly and patiently. "What
can keep those men? King has been
gone ten minutes. Here, Sergeant
Halsey, hurry those men up !"
The sergeant, brown, strong man
of middle age, hesitated and ventur-
ed to STAN mer:
II beg your pardon, lieutenant,
but [ think there's. something wrong
Inside the cave. There's three men
in there-all hungry, and knowing
that dinners ready. Surely they'd
come back if they could. Perhaps
there's wild beasts, or some strange
kind of gas that somothers 'em, or"
Nonsense, Sergeant ~ interrupt
en- the lieutenant frowning. II give
you five mintes to bring those men
back. Go !"
The sergeant's face paled but with
out another word, he took up torch
and entered the cave, disappearing
from the gaze of his friends.
The minutes passed, the lieutenant
and the men ate their dinner mechan-
ically. awaiting anxiously the ex-
pected return; yet none of the four
came back.
The words Of the sergeant had
made a deep impression on the minds
of his hearers. a general gloom
fell upon the camp, and the men cast
frequent and fearful chances in the
direction of the cavern Even the
lieutenant and Hurbert felt strange
depression creeping over them, which
neither could resist.
"What can be the matter p at
length demanded the officer. "The
sergeant's in trouble [ should Judge
from his long absense. There can't
be gas IN the cave, or If so he would
PROBABLY have time to cry out
There cant be wild beasts, for those
four men were all well armed, and
would at least have fired Which of
all you men will go into the cave and
learn what the matter is ?'
There was general shrinking
back. Every soldier was brave il
an Indian fight, but not one dared to
face an unknown danger. Not one
dared to face mysterious and I'M
known danger. Not one wished the
complete andtotal disappearance from
the earth and human knowledge that
had befallen his comrades.
"Whoever will venture in search
of the missing men shall receive from
me one hundred dollars in gold !'' ex-
claimed Hurbert, in his clear, ring
ing tones. "Who speaks first for
the money"
The offer was tempting, but it was
not accepted. No a word of reply
was made to it.
Hurbert hesitated, giving a brief
thought to Miriam, his loved and
waiting Miriam His face then glow
ed with heroic fiubt and ba eo;d =,