The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1869-03-26

3Anu DlAAAdA1g kDlUM 'utIecAA hat ujuL
the ground, remained there alone upon the
plain, in the very path Of a SCORE of mounted
Indians who were galloping towards hel
with the swiflness ofthe wind.
CHAPTER II.
A CURIOUS AND STARTLING MYSTERY.
Skirting the Black Hills, forty miles Wesl
Of Fort Laramie, party of horsemen were
riding eastward.
They had left Fort Bridgsr eight days be-
fore, kkiDg the route Of the North Platte.
and we're now following the Oregon emigrant
road among those long ridges, dry beds oi
rivers, and sterile plains BY which the re-
gion of the Black Hills is distinguished.
The bulk of the party consisted Of fen cav
airy ymen, under a lieutenant, who were re-
turning to Fort Laramie. their post of duty.
They were well mounted and had several
led horses IN their train, loaded with their
provisions and apPutenanees Of travel.
The balance OF the party comprised three
civilians, who Fad Sc I'd the opportunity ol
crossing the mountains under military es-
cOrt. Two of these we're emigrauts who had
settled near Fort Bridger, but who hud tired
of the great solitude, or been frightened by
the Indians, aud were now returning east
ward, in search of homes nearer the haunts
of civilization.
The third civilian was Hubert Earle, the
lover Of Miriam Dsne, the settlers daughter,
whom We have just left in SUCH deadly pc
ril.
He was a splendid specimen of American
manhood, Inagnifcently formed broad shOul.
dered, deep-chested, as vigorous as an alh-
lete, and rode his horse, a frey Mexican
steed, with the grace and ease Of Oentaur.
At the moment of his introduction to the
reader, he was riding in the rear ofthe little
train, busy with bis own reflections, which
were evidently as bright as the morning it's
elf,-the forenoon preceding the events we
have recorded.
His thoughts Were wrapped in the sweet
memory Of Miriam who had BePt so bitter
ly at his departure, and who he expected.
would smile SO ioyously at bis return.
The dear little soul, be murmered aloud,
where Is she now9'
His eyes darkened with tender sweetness.
his lips quivered with the ineffable love that
flooded his being with a happiness akin to
pain. Hepictpred their meeting, the happy
home they would share together, the years
they would spend In each others society,
the tender mutual love and care that would
bless ali their coming days.
He had left her poor adYenturer, to seek
his fortune among the mines of Idaho. He
was returning to her a more than moderate
ly rich man, with bills of exchange in his
ehamois money belt, of sufficient value to
support them both in luxury 70 long as they
might live.
It was not to be wondered at that his
thoughts were pleasant.
Suddenly he was aroused from bis trance
like silence by the cries of delight from his
companions, and by the fact that they had
checked their speed.
Looking around him quickly, he bebeld
the cause of the unusual excitement. To
the southWard, at no great distance, a small
herd of buff4los was grazing lszly, seeming
ly not at all alarmed by the near presence Of
a formidable enemy.
The wind was blowing from them, the hor
ses were fresh, and as he Looked at the tempt
ing game, Hubert felt the spirit Of the huut.
er 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, aud eager demeanor, attes.ed TO a kind
ling of Nimrod like zeal
What do you say to an hours sport, Mr..
Earlier shouted the lieutenant, as he bore
down upon his friend, for Hubert was a de-
eided faVOrite with every member of the
party.
.IIhink it would be downright shame to
turn our backs on such splendid game was
the quick response. Who could eat din
ner Ofsalt POFk, with those fat bufalos so
near us2'
Tho liautoSapt etni1aJ Io,Lod - ,rI
down the line. reading eager longing in thu
faces of his meu, and resolved to carry out
his own aud the general desire.
At q word Of cOmmadd from him, the par.
ty set out at quick gallOp for the scene of
action.
The bEifaloes allowel the enemy to an
proach quite near, the wind iavoriug the
hunters; but at length began to snuff the air
to shake their heads, and T.. l,,.L
Tor Inc cause oi t-'A',.: spprehensiOns.
A moment later they had behe.d the enc
my, and with frightful bellewings and nigh
" tramp, had begun their wild, mad fight
10 the southWard,
The chase was long one; aud it was not |
Ill the hunters had run the buffaloes upon a |
spur of the Black Hills that they got good |
,hance at them. They then brought down |
everal plump young buffalOes, and dinner
speedily became the watehword.
1t is noon, and wen have dinner said /
be lieutenant, observing that the baggage /
nimals with their drivers were approaching. /
KiDdle fire, boys, and we'll have steaks
nd roasts in abundance
While this order was being carried into
feet, Hurbert and several others were eu-
aged in surveying the scene.
A l"nely aud desOlate spot said Hubert
Itlooks as if man had never
elore visited it.
And no wonder, returned Bridges, since
IS five miles of the route. What could
ny man want here, unless he might be 10
ursuit of buff4lOe,T ..',--.
There being no answer to this question,
Iubert proceeded to find an excellent graz
lg spot for his horse, tethered him, and
ung himself on the ground IN the shadow
the hill: The lieutenant and portion of
lie men followed his example.
Plenty of IoR bushes we're found drv
1ough to huTn, and several fires we're soon
lpdled. The choicest portions of the
utfalOes we've readily prepared for cookir 2,
Id it was lot long before the odOr of burn
g flesh was ditfused on the air four or
We hungry soldiers serving as cooks.
II vas q wild picnic scene on those lonely
ids, and every man there enjoyed it with
ne gypsy z9st.
Suddenly a shoat from one Of the men
no were strOlling around, arrssted the at
ntion Of the others.
Halo, bOysv he cried. I'm blest if
re isn't caFein the hill Come, sessthe
lie under these bushes. You never saw
ytbing hiddep Eeater IN your lives
Jones thinks nobody ever saw a cave be-
re- said one of the l. -uDgers. For my
rt, think more of Something to eat, than
hole in the ground
This sentiment was echoed by the others,
It the inquisitive cs7e diseOVerer, nothing
united, approached the FIRE, took from it
-ch, returned to the butte parted the
shes, revealing dark aperture ia The face
the rock, and disappeared within Il, dis
ht giving back yellow glare for 4 socord
er he had ceased TO he seen. exc
The camp revelry went on, the cooking
'gressed, the minutes passed, aud Jones
not reappesF,
If that fellNW had found gold ni-e IN
IRE be wouldn't call n.s of as gFowled
lounger who had before spoken. 4
nder what Jones hIs found, III lest take
2ok, as dinner isn't ready
4e arose lazily abitractad stick of burn
wood for torch, proceeded 10 the cavern
rance, and disappeared from view. 2
Probably said Hubert there's large
ern under that hill. If we had time, it
sht pay to explore it. Under the present
'umstances l am like Brown, and prefer
dinner to scientific explorations
he meal seemed to be nearly ready, for
rattling of tin cups and dishes began to
heard; the lieItensnt's small camp-chest
unpscked aud the cooks shouted to the
llers to come to dinner. ., ~
Have Jenes.and B-OWn come baekT ask
he lieutenant, as he rose to a sitting posi-