Elizabeth daily monitor. [volume] (Elizabeth, N.J.) 1868-1880, 1869-03-24
G. A P T E r II.
A LIFE aLoR1oUs1Y srAKED

A LIFE GLoRIOUSLY STAKED !
Skirting the Black Hills, forty miles
west of Fort Laramie, party of horse
men were riding eastward.
They had left Fort Bridger eight
days before, taking the route of the
North Platte, and 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 cavalry men, under lieutenant.
who were returning to Fort Laramie,
their post of duty. They were well
mounted, and had several led horses i'll
their train, loaded with their provisions
and appurtenances of travel.
The balance of the party comprised
three civilians who had seized the OPP
portunity of crossing the mountains
under military escort. Two of these
were emigrants who had settled near
Fort Bridger, but who had tired of the
great solitude, or been frightened by
the Indians, 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 a splendid specimen of Ameri-
can manhood, magnificently formed,
road-shouldered, deep-chested, as Wig
orous 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 re-
Elections, which were evidently as bright
as the morning itself-the forenoon
preceding 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 soul !" he murmered
aloud. "Where is she now p
His eyes darkened with tender sweet.
ness, his lips quivered with an inefable
love that flooded his being with
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 adventurer, to
seek his fortune among the mines Of
Idaho. He was returning to her 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, and by the fact
that they had checked their speed.
Looking around him quickly, he be-
held the cause of the unusual excite
ment. To the southwark, at no great
distance, small herd of bnffaloes was
grazing lazily, seemingly not at all
alarmed by the near presence of a for
midable enemy.
The wind was blowing from them,
the horses were fresh, and, as he look
ed 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-
anq, but was met half way by that off :
Ger, whose sparkling eyes and eager
demeanor attested to kindling OF
Nimrod-like zeal.