Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1869-03-26
CHAPTER II.

A CURIOUS AND STARTLING MYSTERY
Skirting the Black Hills, forty miles
west Of Fort Laramie, party OF horse
men were riding eastward.
Tney had left Fort Bridger eight days
before, taking the route Of the North
Platte, and were now following the Ore
g0n emigrsnt road, among these 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
cRvalrymen, under q lieutenant, who
were returning to Fort Laramie, their
post Of duty. They were well mounted,
snd had several led horses in their train,
loaded with their provisions and sppur-
tenauces-Of travel.
The balance Of the party comprised
three civilians, who had seized the op-
pOTtunity Of crossing the mountains un-
der 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 In
disns, and were now returning eastward
in search Of homes nearer the haunts of
civiliz alton.
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 q splendid specimen of Ameri-
can manhood, magniicentiy formed,
broad -shouldered, deep-chested, as vig0r-
Gus as an athlete, and rode his horse, a
tiery Mexican steed, with the grace and
ease Of Centsur.
At the moment Of his introduction to
the reader, be was riding 10 the rear of
the little train, busy with his own ref1ec-
tions, which were evidently as bright as
the morning itself-the forenoon prece-
ding the events we have recorded.
His thoughis 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
retura.
"The dear little soul !' he murmured
aloud. " Where is she now 81
His eyes darkened with tender sweet
ness, hips quivered with the ineffable
love that flooded his being with happl-
ness akin to pain. He pictured their
meeting, the pretty home they would
share together, the years they would
spend il each OtheF's society, the tender
mutual love and care that would bless
all their coming days.
He had left her poor sdvsnturer, to
seek MS fortune among bne mines OF
Idaho. He was returning to her q more
than moderately rich man, with bills OF
exchange 10 his chamois money-bet Of
sufficient value to support them both in
luxury as long as they might live.
It was not to be wondered at that his
thoughts we're pleasant.
Suddenly he was aroused from his
trsuce-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 uuushsl excitement.
To the southwark, at no great distance,
2 small herd OF bu1alOes we're grazing
lszily, seemingly not at all alarmed by
the near presence Of formidable enemy.
Toe wind was blowing from them, the
horses were fresh, and as ne looked 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 lieutenant,
but was met half way by that officer,
whose sparkling eyes and esger de-
meAnor sttested to q kindling of MINI
rod like zeal.
What do you say to an hours sport,
Mr. Esrle?n shouted the lieutenant, IS
be bore down upon his friend, for Hubert
was . decided favorite with every MEM
ber Of the party.
81 think it would be q downright
shame to turn our backs on such splen-
did game" was the quick response.