Democratic enquirer. [volume] (M'arthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1867-1873, 1869-04-07
CHAPTER II.
A CURIOUS AND STARTLING MHsTEpYi.

A CURIOUS AND STARTLING AYsTERYi
Skrting the Black Hills, forty miles west of
Fort Laramie, party Of horsemen were rid
ing eastward.
They had left Fort Bridger eight days be-
fore, 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 cav
alrymen, under lieutenant, who were re-
turning to Fort Laramie, their post oil duty.
They were well mounted, and had several led
horses in their train, loaded with their proyi-
sions and appurtenances OF travel.
Tho balance Of the party comprised three
civilians, who had seized the opportunity 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 In
dians, and were now returning eastward in
search of homes nearer tho haunts of civil
ization.
The third civilian was Hubert Earle, the
lover of Miriam Dane, the settlers daughter,
whom We have just left in such deadly penl.
He was splendid specimen OF American
manhood, magnifcently formed, broad.
shouldered, deep-chested, as vigorous as an
athlete, and rode his horse, a fiery Mexican
III. r.
At the moment of his Introduction to the
reader he was riding in the rear OF the little
train, busy With his own reflections, which
were evidently as bright as the morning it.
self-the forenoon preceding the events we
have recorded.
His thoughts were wrapt in the sweet mem
ory OF Miriam, who had wept 30 bitterly at
his departure, aud who, he expected, would
smile 80 joyously at his return, rHr
"The dear little soul !" he murmered aloud.
"Where is she noww
His oyes darkened with tender sweetness,
his lii 3 auivered with the inefIable lovo that
flooded lis 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 aud care that would bless
all their coming days.
He had left her poor adyenturer, 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 cha.
mois m rney.belt Of sufficient value to sup
port them both in luxury as long as they
might live.
Il was not to be wondered at that his
| thoughts were pleasant t.-tL s#
Suddenly he was aroused from his trance
like silence by cries Of delight from his com
panions, and by the fact that they had checked
their ppeed. ..,..
Looking around him quickly, he beheld the
cause OF tho unusual excitement, To the
| southwark, at no great distance, q small herd
OF buflaloes was grazing lazily, seemingly not
at all alarmed by the near presence OF q for.
midable enemy. s.i .I.l-.
The wind was blowing from them, the
horses were fresh, and, as he looked at the
| tempting game, Hubert felt the spirit OF the
/ lunt.r t,rnxu AZ ron a. within him
Giving the rein to his horse, lac galoped
lIalong the line to speak to the lieutenant, but
was met half way by that officer, whose
sparkling eyes and eager demeanor attest
cd TO kindling Of Nimrod-like zeal.
"What do you say TO an hours sport, Mr..
Earlo?" shouted tho lieutenant, as he bore
down upon his friend, for, Hubert was de-
cded favorite with every member Of the
party Ht
"I think il would bo downright shame 10
turn our backs on such splendid game, was
the quick response. WHO could cat din
ner OF salt pork, with those fat buflaloes &c
near tls2" .n gFl bt DIDO
The lieutenant smiled, glanced up and
down tho line, reading eager longing In the
faces Of his men, and resolved to carry oui
his own and the general desire.
At word Of command from him, the par
ty set out at a quick gollop for the scene oI
action.
The bufIalccs allowed the enemy to ap
| proach quito near, the wind fayoring the
hunters; but at length began TO enuif tho oil
unoasily, to shake thoir heads ard 60 lool
for the causo Of their apprehensone. 81
A moment lator and they had beheld the
enemy, and, with frightful bcliowings ant
mighty tramp, had begun their Wild, mad
fight to, the sonthward.
The chase was long one; and II was MOI
till the hunters had run thobulaocs upon
spur OF the Black Hills that they got 0 goot
chance at them. They then brought dow
several plump young bulaloes, and dinner
speedily became tho watchword.
'Itis noon, and we'll have dinner" sale
the lieutenant. observing that tho baggage
! animals with their DRYERS wero approaching
''Kindle fire, boys, and wen have stcait
an d roasts In abundance yf fN
I While this order was being carried int
. efi,ct Hubert and several others were en-
, gagged In surveying the scene. iiAq.
"a lonely and desolate spot, " said Hubert