The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1869-03-25
WHEE1JNG W. VA. THURSDAY MORNING, MARCH 25, 1869.

Platte, aud were now following the
oregon emigrant road, among those
long ridges, dry beds of rivers, and
sterile plains, by which the region of
the Black Hills is distinguished.
, The bulk of the party consisted of ten
! cavalrymen, under a lieutenant, who
were returning to Fort Laramie, their
post OF duty. They were we'll mounted,
ana mad several led horses in the train,
loaded with their provisions and appur-
tenances Of travel.
Inc balance of the party comprised
three civilians, who had seized the OPP
Portunity Of crossing the mountains un-
der military escort. Two of these were
emlgrants who had settled near Fort
brldger, but who had tired of the great
solitude, or been frightened by the In
dams, aud were now returning eastward
Ia search of homes nearer the haunts OF
civilization.
The third civilian was Hubert Earle,
the lover of Miriam Dane, the settlers
daughter, whom we have just left in
such deadly peril.
He was a splendid specimen of Ameri-
can manhood, magni6eently formed,
broad-shouldered, deep-chested, as Wig
orous as an athlete, and rode his horse,
ia fiery Mexican steed, with the grace
and ease of Centaur.-
At the moment of his introduction to
the reader, he was riding in the rear of
the little train, busy with his own re-
Elections, which were evidently as bright
as the morning itSelf-the forenoon pre-
cediHg the events we have recorded.
His 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 soulw he murmured
aloud. "Wbere is she nowP
His eyes darkened with tender sweet
ness, his lips quivered with the ineffa-
bic love that flooded his being with a
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 poor adyenturer, to
seek his fortune among the mines of
Idaho. He was returning to her a more
than moderately rich man, with bills of
exchange in his chamois money-belt of
sufficient value to support them both
| in luxury as long as they might live.
1t was not to be wondered at that his
thoughts were pleasant.
Suddenly he was aroused from his
trance-like silence, by cries of delight
from his companions, aud by the fact
that they had checked their speed.
Looking around him quickly, he be-
held the cause of the unusual excitement.
To the southwark, at no great distance,
small herd of butfaloes was grazing
lazily, seemingly not at all alarmed
by the near presence of formidable
enemy.
The wind was blowing from them, the
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 galloped
along the line to speak to the lieuten-
ant, but was met half way by that Off
Ger, whose sparkling eyes and eager de-
meanOr attested to u kindling of MINI
rod-like zeal.
What do you say to an hours sport,
Mr.. Earle ?" shouted the lieutenant, as
he bore down upon his friend, for HUI
bert was decided favorite with every
member of the party.
az think it would be a downright
shame to turn our backs on such splen-
did came,n was the quick response.
"WhO could eat a dinner OF salt pork,
with those fat buffaloes SO near us 7"
The lieutenant smiled, glanced up and
down the line, reading eager longing In
the faces of his men, aud resolved to
carry out his own and the general de-
! sire.
At word of command from him the
party set out at Il quick sallop for the
scene Of action.
The butfaloes allowed the enemy to
approach quite near, the wind favoring
the hunters; but at length began to
snuff the air uneasily, to shake their
heads, and to look for the cause of their
appreheusiOns.
4 moment later they had beheld the
enemy, and with frightful bellOwings
and mighty tramp, had begun their
wild, mad flight to the southward.
The chase was long one; and it was
not till the hunters had run the butfa-
Ioes upon a spur of the Black Hills that
they 90 good chance at them. They
then brought down several plump young
buffaloes, and dinner speedily became
the watchword.
at is noon, and we'll have dinner"
said the lieutenant, observing that the
baggage animals with their drivers were
approaching. "Kindle fire, boys, and
I nd - N u
dance"
While this order was being carried
into effect, Hubert and several others
we're engaged in surveying the scene.
"a lonely and desolate spot" said
Hubert, thoughtfully. at looks as if
man had never before visited it,"
"And no wonder" returned Brydges,
"since it's five miles off the route. What
could any man want here, unless he
might be in pursuit of buffaloes I"
There being no answer to this ques-
ton, Hubert proceeded to find an excel
lent grazing spot for his horse, tsther-
ed him, and flung himself on the ground
in the shadow of the hill. The lleuten.
ant and portion of the men followed
! his example.
Plenty of low bushes were found dry
enough to burn, and several fires were
soon kiudled. The choicest portions OF
the buffaloes were readily prepared for
cooking, and it was not long before the
odor of burning flesh was diffused on
the air; four or FIVE hungry soldiers
serving as cooks.
1t was a wild picnic scene on these
lonely wilds, and every man there enjoy
ed it with true gypsy zest.
Suddenly shout from one of the men
who were strolling around, arrested the
attention of the others.
"Hallo, boysw he cried, "pm blest if
here i sn't cave in the hill! Come, see
the hole under these bushes. You never
saw anything hidden neater in your
lives"
Jones thinks nobody ever saw cave
BEFORE" said one of the loungers. For
my part, think more of something to
cat, than hole in the ground"
This sentiment was echoed by the
others, but the inquisitive cave discov-
erer, nothing daunted, approached the
fire, took from it torch, returned to the
butte, parted the bushes, revealing a
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