Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1869-03-31
IF the hunter grow strong withia min.

along the line TO speak to the lieutenant
but was met half way by that officer
whose sparkling eyes and eager demeanol
attested to kindling of Nimrod-like
zeal.
"What do you say to an hours sport
Mr. Earle 2" shouted the lieutenant, as be
bore down upon bis friend, for Huber,
was a decided favorite with evyry mem
Der of the party.
II think it would be a downright
shame to turn our backs on such splendid
game was the quick response "Who
could eat dinner of salt pork, with those
fat buffaloes 30 near us 2"
The lieutenant smiled glanced up and
down the line, reading eager longing in
the faces of his men, and resolved to car
ry out his own and the general desire
At word of command from him. the
party set out at quick gallop for the
scene of action.
| The bufaloes allowed the cAnEy to ap.
! proach quite near, the wiad favoring the
hunters but at length begaa to snuffthe
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 belowiugs and
mighty tramp, had begun their wild, mad
fight to the southwark. ~ ---... -.
The chase was long oae; and it was
not till the hunters had run the buff loes
upon spur of the Black Hills that they
got good chance at them. They then
brought down several plump young buff
fa!oes, and dinner speedily became the
watchword.
ut is noon, and well have dinner"
said the lieutenant, observing that the
baggage animals with their drivers were
approaching. "Kindle fire. boys, and
we have steaks and roasts in abund,
ance''7 2, baa z1E s9 "l
While this order was being carried in
to effect, Hubert and several others were
engaged i'll surveying the scene. .r- rr
1 "a lonely and desolute spt t." said Hu-
bert, thoughtfully. at looks as if man
had never before visited it," 81 g-.un-E
go "And no wonder" returned Brydges,
"since it's five miles off the route: What
| could any msa want here, unless he might
be in pursuit of buffaloes 2"
There being no answer to this uestion
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
q portion of the men followed his exam.
! pie.
Plenty of low bushes were found dry
enough to burn, and several fires were
soon kindled. The choicest portions Of
the baffaloes we're 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 wild picnic scene on those
lonely. wilds, and every man there enjoy
ed it with true gipsy zest.
Suddenly shout from one of the men
who were strolling around arrested the
attention of the others,
Halo, boys" he cried. ''I'm blest
if here isn't cave in the hill ! Come
see the hole under these bushes You
never saw anything hidden neater in you,
lives"
Jones thinks nobody ever saw cave
BEFORE" said one of the louneers. ,,Fo,
my part, [ think more of something to
eat. than of a hole in the ground"
This sentiment was echoed by the 9TH
ers, but the inquistivc cave discoverer,
nothing daunted, approached the fire,
took from it torch, returned to the butte,
parted the bushes, reyealing dark aper-
ture in the face Of the rock, and disap
peared 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, minutes passed, and Jones did
not reappear.
i ''1f that fellow had found gold mine
/ in there he wouldn't call one of US,
growled the lounger who had before spoken
IL wonder what Jones has found. II
just take look, as dinner isn't ready"
! He arose lazily, distracted stick o
burning wood for torch, proceeded te
the cavern entrance, and disappeared from
view. ..
Probably" said Hubert, "there's ;
large cavern under that hill IF We ha,
time, it might pay to exp ore it. Under
the present circumstances, I am lik'
Brown, and prefer my dinner to scientif,
explorations. .
The meal seemed to be nearly ready,
for the rattling of tin cups and dishes be
gan to be heard the lieutenants small
camp chest was unpacked, and the cook:
shouted to the strollers to como to dinner
"Have Jones' and Brown came back p
asked the lieutenant, as he rose to sit
ting position, and glanced towards the
cavern. r......
The men replied in the negative.
Go after them then, King, and hurry
them up said the officer. I'VE mus
resume the march after dinner, and canno
afford to waste time here"
King, fine young soldier, took torch
and entered the cave.
E The dinner was dealt out-hot SAVIOR,
steaks and roasts-the coffee measured
: and the meal commenced, but none Q
the men who had entered the cave mad
their appearance
Chow singular !" calculated Bridges
testify and impatiently. "What can kee
those men? King has been gone te
> minutes Here, Sergeant Halsey, hurr
t those men up p
The sergeant, brown, strong man o
| 4