The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1869-04-01

eiohS, "hiSh WIN CNldCHtly as DElSHU
us tho morning star itself-the fore
noon proceeding the events we have
recorded.
Ills thoughts were wrapt in the
sweet memory of Miriam, who had
wept so bitterly at his departure, and
who, he expected, would smile so
joyously at his return.
"The dear little SOUL" he murmur-
ed aloud. "Whcre is she now?"
His eyes darkened with tender
sweetness, his lips quivered with the
ineffable love that flooded his being
with happiness akin to pain. He
pictured their meeting, the pretty
home they would share together,
the years they would spend in each
others society, the tender mutual
love and care that would bless all
their coming days.
He had left her a poor adventurer
to seek his fortune among the mines
Of idaho. He was returning to her
more than moderately rich man,
with bills of exchange in his cham
OILS meney-bell of suffici eDt value to
support them both in luxury as long
as they might live.
1t was not to he wondered at that
his thoughts were pleasant.
Suddenly he was aroused from his
trance like silence, by cries of delight
from his companions, and by the fact
that they had checked their speed.
Looking around him quickly, he
beheld the cause OF the usual excite
ment. To the southwark, at no
great distance, a small herd of buffa-
loes were grazing lazily, seemingly
not at all alarmed by the. near DIP.
proach ola formidable enemy.
The wind was blowing from them
tho horses were fresh, and, as he
looked at the tempting game, Hubert
felt the spirit Of the hunter grow
strong within him.
Giving rein to his horse, he gallop-
cd along the line to speak to the
lieutenant, but was met half way by
that officer, whose sparkling eyes
and eager demeanor attested to a
kindling OF Nimrod-like zeal.
What do you say to an hours
sport, Mr.. Earle p shouted the leu
tenant, as he bore down upon his
friend, for Hubert was decided ia.
vorite with every member of the par.
ty.
Il think it would be downright
shame to turn our backs on such
splendid game, was the quick re.
sponsc. Who could eat dinuer Of
salt pork, with those fat buffaloes SC
near us 2
The lieutenant ,smilcd, glanced uI1
and down the line, reading eager
longings in the faces of his men, and
resolved to carry out his own and
the general desire.
at word of command from him.
the party SET out at quick gallon
for the scene OF action.
Tho buffalocs allowed The enemy to
approach quito near, the wind favor.
ing the hunters but at length began
to snuff the air uncasily, to shake
their heads, and to look for the cause
of their apprehensions.
A moment later they had beheld
the enemy, and with frightful bet
lowings and mighty tramp had begun
their wild, mad fight to the south-
ward.
The chase was long one; and ii
was not till the hunters had run the
baffaloes upon a spur of tho Black
Hills that they got good chance at
them. They then brought down sev.
eral plump young buffaloes, and din.
ner speedily became the watchword
sit is noon, and we'll have dinner,
said the lieutenant, observing that
the luggage animals with their dri.
ver3 we're approaching. 'Kindle a
fire, boys, and we'll have steaks and
roasts in abundance
While this order was being carried
into effect, Hubert and several 9th.
ers were engaged in surveying the
scene.
"A lonely and desolate spot said
Hubert, thoughtfully. 1T looks as il
man had never before visited it.
: 'And no WONDER returned Bryd
ges, since it's five miles off the route
What could any man want here, un.
less he might be in pursuit of buffa
loes?"
There being no answer to this
question, Hubert proceeded to find
an excellent grazing spot for his
horse, tethered him, and flung him
self on the ground in the shadow Of
the hill. The lieutenant and por
ton of the men followed his example
Plenty Of low bushes were found
dry enough to burn, and several fires
were soon kindled. The choicest
portions of the buffaloes wero readi
ly prepared for cooking, and it was
not long before the odor Of burning
flesh was diffused on the air; four o.
five hungry soldiers serving as cooks
1t was wild picnic scene on those
lonely wilds, and every man there
enjoyed it with true gypsy zest.
Suddenly shout from one Of the
men who were strolling around, ar
rested the attention of the others.
Halo, boys!' be cried. Pm blest
it here isn't cave in the hill! Come
see the hole under these bushes
You never saw anything hidden neat
er in your lives
Jones thinks nobody ever saw q
cave BEFORE said one Of the loung
ers. For my part, | think more Of
something to eat than of a hole in
the ground
This sentiment was echoed by the
others, but the inquisitivc cave dis.
coverer, nothing daunted, approach.
ed the fire, took from it torch, re.
turned to the butte, parted the bush
es. revealing dark aperture in the
face of the rock, and disappeared
within it, his light giving back a
yellow glare for second after he had
ceased to be seen.
The camp revelry went on, the
cooking progressed, the minutes pass.
ed, and Jones did not rcappear.
If that fellow had found gold
mine in there he wouldn't call one Of
u.s. growled the lounger who had
before spoken. Il wonder what he
has found. I'll jest take look, as
dinner isn't ready
He arose lazily, abstracted stick