The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-03-24

| Hubert and several others were engaged IN
surveying the scene.
ga lonely and desolate spot" said Hubert,
| thoughtfully. sit looks as if man hadneVer
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."
| bert 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 a portion Of the men fol-
lowed his example.
Plenty of low bushes were found dry enough
| to burn, and several fires we're soon klndled.
The choicest portions of the buhaloes we're
| long before the odor of burning flesh was diff
fused Oh the air; four or five hungry soldiers
| serving as cooks.
! 1t was wild picnic scene on those lonely
wilds, and every man there enjoyed it with true
| gip5y zest.
Suddenly SHOUT from one of the men who
was strolling around, arrested the attention OF
some Of the others.
"Hallo, boys !" he cried. Sim blest if here
| isn't cave in the hill Come, see the hole
under these bushes. You never saw anything
hidden neater in your lives"
stJones thinks nobody ever saw cave be-
FORE" said one of the loungers. For my part,
I think more of something to eat than OF hole
in the ground"
This sentiment was echoed by the others.
but the inqusitive cave discoverer, nothing
daunted, approached the fire, took from it q
torch, returned to the but.e, parted the bushes,
revealing a dark aperture in the face OF the
rock, and disappeared within it., his light CIV
ing back yellow glare for second after he
had ceased to be seen.
The camp revelry went on, the cooking pro-
gressed, the minutes passed, and Jones did not
aff that fellow had found o gold mine in
there he wouldn't call one Of u.s." growled the
lounger who had before spoken. II wonder
what Jones has found. I'll just take looS, as
dinner isn't ready"
He arose lazily, distracted stick Of burn
ing wood for torch, proceeded to the cavern
entrance, and disappeared from view.
Probably" said Hubert. .'there's large
cavern under that hill. e We had time, 1T
might pay to explore it Under the present
circumstances. I am like Brown, and prefer my
dinner to scientific explorations"
The meal seemed to be nearly ready, for the
rattlins Of tin cups and dishes began 70 be
heard; the lieutenants small camp chest was
unpaoked, and the cook shouted to the stroers
to come to dinner.
"Haye Jones and Brown como back ?" asked
the lieutenant, as he rose to sitting position,
and glanced towards the cavern.
The men replied in the negative.
s'Go after them then, King, and hurry them
march after dinner, and cannot afford to waste
time here
King, fine young soldier, took q torch, and
entered the cave.
The dinner was dealt out-hot savory steaks
and roasts-the coffee measured, and the meal
commenced, bat none Of the men who had en-
tered the cave made their appearance.
a., ofeH fQcfi1V
and impatiently. sWhat can keep those men
King has been gone ten minutes. Here Ser
geant Halsey, hl lrry those men npl"
The sergeant, brown, strong man OF mid
die age, hesitated, and ventured to stammer:
81 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
smothers 'em, Or"
'Nonsense, sergeant ~ interrupted the lieu.
tenant, frowning. II give you Eve m inutss to
bring those men back. Col"
The sergeant's face paled, but, without ano-
ther word, he took up U torch and entered the
cave, disappearing from the gaze OF his friends.
The minutes passed, the lieutenant an the
men ate their dinner mechanically, awaiting
anxiously the expected return; yet none Of the
four came back.
The words OF the sergeant had made deep
impression on the minds Of his hearers. A
general gloom fell upon the camp, and the men
cast frequent and fearful glances in the dlrec,
ton Of the cavern. Even the lieutenant and
Hubert felt strange depression creeping
over them, which neither could resist.
"Whst can be the matter2" at length de-
mapded tae officer. "Ihe sergeants in trou-
Bile, should judge, by this long absence.
There can't be gas in the cave, or II 80, ne
would probably have had time to cry out.
There can't be wild beasts, for those four men
we're ali well armed, aud would at least have
fred. Which Of all you men will 60 into the
cave and learn what the matter is Z"
There was general shrinking back. Every
soldier was brave in an Indian fight, but not
one dared to iace mysterious and unknown
danger. Not one wished to risk the complete
and total disappearance from earth ana hu-
man knowledge that had betallen his COM
rades.
"Whoeyer will venture in search OF The miss
ing men shall receive from me hundred dol
lars in goldi" exclaimed Hubert, in his clear,
ringing tones. 'Wno speaks first for tue
money
The offer was tempting; but it was not ac-
cepted. Not wold of reply was made to II.
Huber. hesitated, giving brlef Thought o
Miriam, his loved and waiting Miriaml bis
face then glowed with heroic light, and he
said, in tones that did not faltei:
III will 90 in search of tho men, Lieutenant
Bridges. Only, your party is now small, AID
it do not return in twenty minutes, you may
resume your Journey
"But, Earle" expostulated the lieutenant,
s'this is positive madness. You must not risk
YOUR life We will wait awhile, and IT the men
do not return, we will move onl"
"They may need help" replied Hubert,
steadily. "They may have encountered well,
God knows what, I can't imagine. II lire ny
rifle, come to me. III fail toreturn within the
time appointed, move on T"
He went up to the nearest fire, picked up
blazing stick, arranged his rifle for instant use,
approached the mouth OF the cave, peercd into
it cautiously, and listened intenty for some
sound of life within.
No sound came. ALI was as still as death
within the cavern.
The next instant Hubert had vanished there
in.
All was now breathlcss suspense.
The lieutenant and bis men gather ed arouud
to listen for the report of the rifle. Three
minutes passed, but it came not. Five mill
utcs dragged by-tcn-ftteen, and still no
sound reached their ears. They could sec q
brief space into the cavern by tho light OF
their own torches, but nothing but rocky walls
and floor met their gaze.
Twenty minutes were thus passed. Tho
time was up, and Hubert had not returned:
The mon looked at one another With pallid
faces. As if turned to stone, they stood an
swe-stricken group about the cavern's mouth,
until the minutes had more than made up an
hour-and still they fingered.
During this time they had cleared away the
bushes from the mouth of the cave. They had
tried again and again to peer into the dark
depths OF the opening, but could not: The
lieutenant had called repeatedly to Hubert,
but received no answer. At length he pro-
posed to tie rope around his waist and de-