Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1869-03-31

sport, Mr.. Earl ?" shouted the lieu.
tenant, as he bore down upon hi:
friend, for Hubert was a decided
fsvorite with every member of the
party.
az think it would be q downright
shame to turn our backs on such
splendid game" was the quick re.
Spouse. "Who could eat a dinner Of
salt pork, with such fat buffaloes Sc
near us?"
The lieutenant smiled, glanced UP
and down the line, reading eager
longing in the faces of his men, and
resolved to carry out his own and the
general desire.
At a word of command from him,
the party set out at a quick gallop for
the scene of action.
The buffaloes allowed the enemy to
approach quite near, the wind favor
ing the hunters; but at length began
to snuff the air uneasily, to shake
their heads, and to look for the cause
of their apprehensions.
A moment later they had beheld
the enemy, and, with frightful bel
lowings and mighty tramp, had
begun their wild, mad fight to the
southwark.
The chase was a long one; and it
was not till the hunters had run the
buffaloes upon q spur of the Black
Hills that they got a good chance at
them. They then brought down sew
eral plump young buffaloes, and din
ner speedily became the watchword.
at is noon, aud We'll have dinner
said the lieutenant, observing that
the baggage animals with their
drivers were 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 others
were engaged in surveying the scene.
"a lonely and desolate spot" said
Hubert, thoughtfully. ut looks as if
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, unless he might be in pursuit
of b%uffaloes?n
There being no answer to this ques-
ton, Hubert proceeded to find an
excellent grazing spot for his horse,
tethered him, and flung himself on
the ground in the shadow of the hill.
The lieutenant and a portion 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 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 those
lonely wilds, and every man there
enjoyed it with true gypsy zest.
Suddenly a shout from one of the
men who were stroling around, arres-
ted the attention of the others.
Halo, boysw he cried. "I'm
blest if here isn't a 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 a
before" said one of the loungers.
"FOr my part, 1 think more of
something to eat, than of a 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, returned
to the butte, parted the bushes, reveal
ing a dark aperture in the face of the
rock, and disappeared within it, his
giving back a yellow glare for q
second after he had ceased to be seen.
The camp revelry went on, the
cooking progressed, the minutes pas
sed, and Jones did not appear.
"If that fellow had found a gold
mine in there he wouldn't call one of
u.s." growled the lounger who had be-
fore spoken. al wonder what Jones
has found. I'll jest take a look as din
.er isn't ready.h
He arose lazily, distracted a stick
IF burning wood for a torch, pro-
eeeded to the cavern entrance, and
disappeared from view.
Probably" said Hubert, there's
large cavern under that hill. If we
mad time, it might pay to explore it.
Under the present circumstances, I
I'M like Brown, and prefer my dinner
% scientific explorations
The meal seemed to be nearly ready, |
or the rafting Of tin cups and dishes
to be heard; the lieutenant's
small camp-chest was unpacked, and
he cooks shouted to the strolIers to
,ome to dinner.
"Have Jones and Brown came back
asked the lieutenant, as he rose
% a sitting position, and glanced to-
wards the cavern.
The men replied in the negative.
$50 after them then, King. and
hurry them up" said the officer.
We must resume the march after
and cannot afford to waste
ime here"
King, a fine young soldier, took a
orch and entered the cave.
The dinner was dealt out-hot saw
ny steaks and roasts-the coffee
measured, and the meal commenced,
tut none of the men who had entered
he cave made their appearance!
"How singularm calculated Bryd-
1es, testify and impatiently. "What
keep those men? King has been
one ten minutes. Here, Sergeant
Ialsey, hurry those men pp!"
The sergeant, a brown, strong man
f middle age, hesitated, and ventur-
Il to Summer.
"I beg your pardon. Lieutenant,
ut l think there's something wrong
inside the cave. There's three men
n there-all hungry and knowing
hat dinners ready. Surely they'd
ONE back if they could. Perhaps
here's wild beasts, or some strange
ind of gas that smothers 'em, or"
Nonsense, Sergeantw Interrupt
ed the lieutenant, frowning. II
i've you five minutes to bring those
len back. Col"
The ~sergeant's face paled, but, with
ut another word, he took up a torch
nd entered the cave, disappearing
,om the gaze of his friends.
The minutes passed, the lieutenant
nd the men ate their dinner me-
.anieally, awaiting anxiously the
expected returni yet nom of the four
back.
The words of the sergeant had
lade a deep impression on the minds
: his hearers. A general gloom fell
pom the camp, and.the men cast fire.
uent and fearful chances in the di-
ection of the tavern. Even the lieu
,nant and Hubert felt a strange de-
ression creeping Over them, which ,
could resist. :
"What can be the matter 81 at q
myth demanded the officer. 1.-THE (
.rgeant's in trouble, 1 should judge, I
Y this long absence. There can't be
Is in the cave, or if so, he would
have had time to cry out. g,
There can't be wild beasts, for those {
ur men were all well armed, and +
ould at least have fired. Which of
] YOU men will go into the cave and :