The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-03-24
CHAPTER II.
A CURIOUS AND STARTLING MYSTERY.

A CURIOUS AND STARTLING MYSTERY.
Skirtipg the Bla,k Hills, forty miles west Of
Fort Laramie, party OF horsemen were riding
Theyhad left Fort Bridger eight days be-
/ fore, taking tho route OF the North Platte, aud
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 isdistinguished.
The bulk OF the party consisted OF ton caValry-
men men, under lieutenant, who were return
ing to Fort Laramie their post OF duty. They
were we'll mounted, and had several led horses
in their train, loaded with their provisions and
appurtenances OF travel.
The balance of tho party comprised three
civilians, who had seized the opoortunlty OF
crossing the mountains under military escort;
Two of these we're emigrants who had settled
near Fort Bridcer, but who had tired of the
great solitude, or been frightened by the In-
dians. and we:e now returning eastward IN
scar ch of homes nearer tho haunts OF clvIllZa-
ton. -.
The third civilian was HUBER Earle, the
lover Of Miriam Dane the settlers daughter,
whom we have just left in such deadly peril.
He was O. splendid specimen or american
manhood, magni6cently formed, broad-shoul-
dered, deep-chested, as vigorous 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 n tho rear OF the little
train, busy with his own reflections, wnlcn
were evidently as bright as the morning ITSELF
the forenoon preceding the events we have re-
corded.
His thoughts were wrapt in the sweet memo
nv OF Miriam, who had wept so bitterly ut MS
departure, aud who, he expected, would smile
SO joyousy at his return. -
"The dear little Soul" no murmured aloud.
| s'Whcre is she now?"
His ewes daricued with tender sweetness,
his lips auivered with the ineifablo love that
flooded his being with q happiness akin to
pain He pictured their meeting, the pretty
homo they would share together, the years
they would spend in each others society, the
| tender mutual lovc and care that would pIess
all their coming days.
He had left her a poor adventurer, to seek
his fortune among the mines Of Idaho. be
was returning to her moro than moderately
rich mau, With bills of exchange IN his cha
mcis money-belt Of sufficient value to support
! them both in luxury as long as they might 1--we.
II was not to be wondered at that his thoughts
we're pleasant.
Suddenly he was aroused from his trance
like silence, by cries of delight from his COM
panions and by the fhct that they had caeck-
| ed their speed.
Looking around him quickly, he beheld the
cause OF the unusual excitement. To the
southwark OF no great distance, small herd
of buffaloes was grazing lazily, seemingly not
at all alarmed at the near presence OF q tornl-
| dable enemy.
The wind was blowing from them, the horses
were fresh, and, as he looked at the temptlns
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 mot
half way by that officer, whose sparkling eyes
aud eager demeanor attested to kindllng OF
Nimrod-lke zeal. -. NJ.
"What do YOU say to IN hours sport, MIR.
Earle?" shouted the lieutenant, as he Dore
down upon his friend, for Hubert was de-
cded iavoritc with every member OF the party.
81 think it would be downright shame to
turn our backs on such splendid game, was
the quick response. ''Who could eat dinner
of saIk pork, with those fat buffaloes 30 near
us?"
The lieutenant smiled, glanced up AMI down
the line, reading eager longing in the faces OF
his men, and resolved to curry out his own and
the general dcsiro.
At word of command from him, the party
set out at . quick gallop for the sccue OF ac-
| ton.
The buffaloes allowed the enemy to approach
quite near, the wind favoring the hunters; but
at length began TO snuff the air uneasily, to
| shake their beads, and to look for the cause Of
| their apprehcnsions.
A moment la; er they had bcheld the enemy,
anI, with frightful bellowings and mighty
tramp, had begun their wild, mad flight to tho
| southwark. ,
The chase was q long one; and it was not till
the hunters had run the butfaloes upon spur
of the Black Hills that they got good chance
Mt them. They then brought down several
D,ump Young buffaoes, and dinner speedily be-
came tic watchword
at is noon, and we'll have dinner SAID the