Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1869-04-02

and were now returning eastward IN
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 splendid specimen of Amer
lean manhood, magnificiently formed,
broad-shouldered, deep-chested, as ylgor-
ons as an athlete, and rode his horse,
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 reflect
ions, which were evidently as bright as
the morning itself-the forenoon pre-
ceeding the events we have recorded
His thoughts were wrapt in the sweet
memory of Miriam, who had wept so bit
terly at his departure, and who, he ex-
pected, would smile so joyously at his re-
turn.
"The dear little soul!' he murmured
aloud.
"Where is she now?"
His ewes darkend with tender sweet
ness, his lips quivered with the inefable
love that flooded his being with a hap
piness 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 adventurer, to
seek his fortune among the mines Of Ida
no. He was returning to her a more
than moderately rich man, with bills of
exchange 10 his ehamos 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, and by the fact
that they had checked their speed.
j Looking around him quickly, he be-
held the cause of the unusual excite
, ment. To the southwark, at no great
distance, small herd of buffaloes was
grazing lazily, seemingly not at all
J alarmed by the near presence Of form
liable enemy.
, The wind was blowing from them, the
J horses were fresh, and, as he looked at
) the tempting game, Hubert felt the spir-
it of the hunter grow strong within him.
Giving rein to his horse, he galloped
along the line to speak to the lieutenant,
$ but was met half way by that officer,
, whose sparkling eyes and eager demea-
; nor attested to a kindling of Nimrod-
like zeal.
IS" What do you say to an hours sport,
Mr.. Earle shouted the lieutenant, as
!. he bore down upon his friend, for HUI
f bert was decided favorite with every
member of the party.
9" / think it would be a downright
/. shame to turn our backs on such splen-
: did game" was the quick response
a "Who could eat a dinner Of salt pork,
with those fat buffaloes so 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.
Y ry out his own and the general desire.
AT word of command from him, the
e party set out at a quick gallop for the
/ scene of action.
|. The bufaloes allowed the enemy to
: approach. quite near, the wind favorine
3 the hunters but at length began to
d snuff the air uneasily, to shake THEN
heads, and to look for the cause of THEN
n apprehensions.
A moment later they had beheld the
" enemy, and, with frightful bellowingI
d and mighty tramp, had begun their wild
y mad fight to the southwark.
The chase was long one; and it wa;
/ not till the hunters had run the buffaloes
/. upon spur of the Black Hills that the,
e got good chance at them. They ther
brought down several plump young buf
d faloes, and dinner speedily became tn,
g watchword
er at is noon, and we'll have dinner,
Sc said the lieutenant, observing that tn
IS baggage animals with their drivers wer
approaching. Kindle fire, boys, anc
s. We'll have steaks and roasts in abun
dance"
y While this order was being carried in
e. to effect, Hubert and several others wer
I, engaged in surveying the scene.
ID A lonely and desolate spot" saic
Hubert, thoughtfully. ct looks as
re man had never before visited it"
oe And no wonder" returned Bridges
!" "since it's five miles off the route VIVA
could any man want here, unless h
might be in pursuit of buffaloes?"
at There being no answer to this question
m Hubert proceeded to find an excellen
at grazing spot for his horse, tethered him
N and flung himself on the ground in tn
shadow Of the hill. The lieutena mt ant
er portion of the men followed his exam
y pie.
he Plenty of low bushes were found DIR,
n enough to burn, and several fires wer
he soon kindled. The choicest portions o
h the bufaloes were readily prepared fol
cooking, and it was not long before til,
II odor of burning flesh was difiused on th,
t air; four or five hungry soldiers serving
rs as cooks.
ID 1t was a wild picnic scene on thos
lie lonely wilds, and every man there enjoy
D, ed it with true gypsy zest.
'f Suddenly a shout from one of the mel
is who were strolling around, arrested tn,
r. attention of the Others.
1t Halo, boysr' he cried. "rm bles
n If here isn't cave in the hilli Come