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

Il CURIOUS AND STA RTI.INa MYSTERY.
h SkirtiDg the Black Hills, forty miles west of
Fort Laramie, party of horsemen we're riding
They Mad left Fort Bridger eight days be-
fore, taRlng the route of the North Platte, and
we're aow following the Oregon enigrant roads
among those long ridges, dry beds Of rivers,
and sterile plains, by which the fegion Of the
Black Hills isdistinguished. .u
The bulk Ofthe party cons lsted OF ten cavalry
men men, under lieutenant, who were return
ing to Fort Laramie. their post Of duty: They
we're we'll mounted, and had several led horses
in their train, loaded with their provisions and
appurtenances or travel.
The balance Of tho party comprised three
civilians, who had seized the opportunity Of
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
dams, and were now returning eastward in
scar ch of homes nearer the haunts of civiliza-
tiOn.
The third civilian was Huber Earle, the
lover of Miriam Dane. the settlers daughter,
whom we have just left in suoh deadly peril.
He was splendid specimen of American
manhood, magnifcently formed, broad-shoul-
dered, deep -chested, as vigorous as an athlete.
and rode his horse, q tiery Mexican steed, with
the grace and ease OF o Centaur. sti.f
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 itself
the forenoon preceding the events we have re-
corded.
His thoughts were wrapt in the sweet memo
ry Of Miriam, who had wept SO bitterly at his
departure, and who, he expected, would smile
so joyousy at his return.
''The dear little soull" he murmured aloud.
"Where is she now?"
His eyes darkened with tender sweetness,
his lips quivered with tho inefable love that
He ss pasnrsa ars Ta shar a1n rs
homo they would share together, the years
they would spend in each others society, the
tender mutual love and care that would bless
| all their coming days. sss i'ss, VI
| He had left her a poor adventurer, to seek
his fortune among the MINES Of Idaho. He
was returning to her q more than moderately
| rich man, with bills of exchange in his cha
mois money.belt of sufficient value to support
them both in luxury as long as they might live
1t was MOTTO be wondered at that his thoughts
were pleasant. .gt
| Suddenly he was aroused from his trance
like silence, by cries Of delight from his com.
panions. and by the fact THAI they had check
| ed their speed. -irst ti'#
Looking around him quickly he beheld the
cause q the unusual sst 70 the
Of buffaioes was grazing lazily, seemingly not
at all alarmed at the near presence Of q formal
dable enemy.
The wind was blowing from them, the horses
were fresh, and. as he looked at the tempting
game, Hubert felt the spirit OF the hunter
grow strong within him.
Giving rein to his horse, he GallOped alone
the line to speak to the lieutenant, but was met
half way by that officer, whose sparkling eyes
and eager demeanor attested to q kindling 0,
Nimrod-i,ke zeal. .
"What do yeu say to an hours sport, Mr..
Earle2" shouted the iieutenant, as he bore
down upon his friend, for Hubert was a de
cided fav0rite with every member OF the party
~ think it would be o downrieht shame 20
turn our backs ION such splendid game,' wal
/ the quick responne. s.WhO could eat dinner
Of saik pork, with those fat buffaloes 80 neal
us p" ssi agtigs
The lieutenant smiled, glanced mp anil down
the line, reading eager longing in the faces o.
his men. and resolved to carry out his own and
I At q word Of command from him, the party
get out alta quick gallop for the scene Of &C
4 The buffaloes allowed the enemy to approacf
quite near. the wind favoring the hunters; hut
Of length began to snuff the air uneasily, te
snake their heads, and to look for the caused
their approximations.
an5s with rightful bellowinga and nights
eouthward. 77 - = ~ -
+ The chase was long one; ana It was! not til]
the hunters had run the buffaioes upon spnr
4 OF the Black Hills shat they got q GOOD ohanoe
u att them. They sthcri bxought down ,soyeraj
plump yonng bnffaloes, and dinner speedily bs.
4 came the watchwofd. Sg 81 4
ssTY a. ynry, and uya,tl 20 % Ajs,raAp .o,a 49,