The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-03-22

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abundance.n
While this order was being carried into effect
Hubert and several others were engaged Ia sur
IA lonely and desolate spot,n said Hilbert,
thoughtfully. 1T looks as IL man had never
before visited it.n
"And no WONDER returned Brydges, "sinoe
it's five miles off the route. What could any
man want here, unless he might be In purs at OF
buffaloes W
There being no answer to this question,
Hubert proceeded to find an excellent grazing
spot for his horse, tethered him, and flung
himself on the ground in the shadow OF the
hill. The lieutenant and portion of the men
followed his example.
Plenty of low bushes were found dry enough
to burn, and several fires were soon kindled.
The choicest portions OF the butfaloes were
readily prepared for cooking, and it was not
long before the odor of burning flesh was diff
fused on the air; four or five hungry soldiers
serving as cooks.
wilds, and every man there enjoyed it with true
Suddenly shout from one of the men who
were strolling around arrested the attention Of
"Hallo, boys!" he cried, "rm blest if here
isn't a cave in the hill! Come, see the hole
under these bushes. You never saw anything
hidden neater in your lives"
Clones thinks nobody ever saw cave before,n
said one of the loungers. "For my part,
think more of something to eat than of a hole
in the ground.o
This sentiment was echoed by the others, but
the inqusitive cave discoverer, nothing
daunted, approached the fire, took from 1t
torch, returned to the butte parted the bushes,
revealing a dark aperture IN the face OF the
rock, and disappeared within it, his light giv~
ing back a yellow glare Tor a second after he
had ceased to be seen
! gressed, the minutes passed, and Jones did not
III that fellow had found a gold mine in there
| he couldn't call one OF us, growled the lounger
| who had before spoken. ~ wonder what Jones
has found? Ill jest take look,las dinner isn't
ready"
wood for torch, proceeded to the cavern
| entrance, and disappeared from view.
Probably" sSid HTOert heTei d FsS sime large
might pay to explore it. Under the present Cir
| cumstanCes / am like Brown, and prefer my
dinner to scientific explorations"
The meal seemed to be nearly ready, for the
rafting of tin cups and dishes began to be
| heard; the lieutenants small camp chest was
unpacked and the cooks shouted to the strollers
TO come 10 dinner.
| the lieutenant, as he rose to sitting position,
and glanced towards the cavern.
The men replied in the negative.
| "Go after them, then, King, and hurry them
up," said the officer. "We must resume the
march after dinner, and cannot afford to waste
time here.n
King, a fine young soldier, took torch, and
| entered the cave.
The dinner was dealt out-hot savory steaks
and roasts-the coffee measured, and the meal
commenced, but none OF the men who had
entered the cave made their appearance.
and impa,lently. "What can keep those men
King has been gone ten minutes. Here, Ser
geant Halsey, hurry those men up"
| The sergeant, o brown, strong man OF middle
age, hesitated and ventured to stammer:-
"I beg your pardon, Lieutenant, but think
there's something wrong inside the cave.
There's three men in there all hungry and
| that dinners SurelV. tleyi0
come back il they could. Perhaps there's wild
beasts, or some strange kind OF gas that
smothers them, Or"
s'Nonsense, sergeant!n interrupted the lieu.
tenant, frowning. Il give you FIVE minutes to
bring those men back. GoW
The sergeant's face paled but, without
another word, he took up torch ana entered
the cave, disappearing from the gaze of his
friends.
The minutes passed, the lieutenant and the
men ate their dinner mechanically, awaiting
anXously the expected return yet none OF the
, four came back.
The words OF the sergeant had made deep
impression on the minds of his hearers. A
general gloom fell upon the camp, and the men
cast frequent and fearful glances in the direction
OF the cavern. Even the lieutenant and Hubert
felt strange depression creeping over them
l which neither could resist
What can be the matterN at length de-
manded the officer. ''The sergeants in trouble
l should Judge, by this long absence There
Probably pro- haze had time to cry out, i There % can
3 be wild beasts, for those four men we're all vel
Q armed, and would at least have fired. Which
e of all you men will go into the cave and Learn
: what the matter is ?"
There was general shrinking back. Every
Y soldier was brave in an Indian fight, but no
one dared to face a mysterious and unknown
D danger. Not one wished to risk the complet,
and total disappearance from the earth an(
!. human knowledge that had betallen hi
comrades.
$ "Whoever will venture in search of the missing
men shall receive from me a hundred dollars IL
G gold |" exclaimed Hubert in his clear, ringing
y tones. "Who speaks first for the money!"
The offer was tempting; but it was not &C
i cepted. Not word of reply was made to it.
@ Hubert hesitated, giving brief thought II
Miriam, his loved and waiting Miriam! Hi
s face then glowed with heroic light, and h
$ said, in tones that did not falter:-
II viii go in search of the men, Lieutenan
IS Bry dges Only, your party is now small, an(
u If do not return in twenty minutes, you ma.
resume your journey"
IS but, Earle" expostulated the lieutenant
"ths Is positive madness. You must not risl
e your life. We will wait a while, and if thu
J, men do not return, We will move on"
+ ''They may need hepn replied Hubert
seadily. They may have encountered-well
G God knows what, / can't imagine. If fire m.
! rife, come to me. If fail to return withii
# the time appointed, move ON !"
It He went up to the nearest fire, picked up {
G blazing stick, arranged his rifle for instant use
app cached the mouth of the cave peered int
s it cautiously, and listened intenty for som
@ sound OF life within.
" No sound came. All was as still as dealt
within the cavern.
g Tue next instant Hubert had vanishe,
t therein.
s All was now breathless suspense.
If The lieutenant and his men gathered arount
to listen for the report OF the rifle. The minute
:. passed, but it came not. Five minutes dIagge
n by--ten-ffteen, and still no sound reaches