The Conservative. (M'connelsville, Ohio) 1866-1871, 1869-04-02
III.

CURIOUS ASD STARTLING AnsrTHYl
Skirting the Black Hills, forty miles west ri
Fort Laramie, a party Of horsemen were rid.
ing eastward.
They had left Fort Bridgor eight days be.
fore, taking the route of the North Platte, and
were now following thu Oregon emigrnnt
road, among those long ridges, dry beds OF
rivers aud sterile plains by which tue region
OF the Black Hills Is distinguished.
The bulk of the party consisted Of ten cav
arymcn, 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 proyi-
Hious and appurtenanccs OF travel.
The balance of the party comprised three
civilians, who had seized the Opportunity of
crossing the mountains under mlitnryesoort,
Two Of these wcrO omlgrants who hadsettled
near Fort Bridgcr, but who had tired of the
great solitude, or been frightened by the In
dams, and were now returning eastward in
search OF homes nearer tho haunts OF civil
ization.
The third civilian was Hubert Earle. tho
lover OF Miriam Dane, the settlers daughter.
whom we have just left in such deadly peril.
He was a splendid specimen OF American
manhood, magninoently formed, broad
s%houldered, deop-chested, as vigorous az an
athlete, and rode his horse, o fiery Mexican
stood, with tho grace aud case Of a Centaur.
AT the moment OF his introduction TO the
reader no was riding in tho rear OF the little
train, busy aith his own reflections. which
we're evidently as bright as the morning H.
self--the forenoon preceding the events we
have recorded.
His thoughts were wrapt in the sweet MEM
DRY OF Miriam, who had wept 80 bitterly al
his departure, and who, he expected, would
smile so joyously at his return.
.sThe dear little sonl ~ he murmerod aloud.
''where is she now2"
His eyes darkened with tender swoetness
his liz quiyered with the inetfable love thai
flooded his being with a happiness akin 10
pain. He pictured their moetlng, tho pretty
home they would share together, tho years
they would spend in each others society, the
tenler mutual love aud care that would bless
all Their coming days.
Ho had left her a poor a%dyenturer, 10 seek
his fortune among the mines of Idaho. He
was returning TO her a more than moderately
rich man, with bills OF exchange in hia Ina.
mois m 'ney.belt of snficient value 10 ann
port them both in luxury AZ long as they
might live. .EtAM "
IL was not TO be wondered al that bis
thoughts were pleasant.
Suddenly he was aroused from his trance
like silence by cries. II delight from his COM
panions, and blythe fact that they had checked
their speed.
Looking around him quickly, be behold the
cause OF the unusual excitement. To mo
southwark, at no great distance, a small herd
OF buflaloes was grazing lazily. seemingly NOT
at all alarmed by the noar presence OF a for.
midable enemy.
The wind was blowing from them. the
horses were fresh, and, al he looked al the
tempting game, Hubert folt the spirit OF The
hunter grow strong within him.
Giving the rein TO his horse, he gallonea
along the line TO speak to the lieutenant. lint
was met half way by that officer, whose
sparkling eyes and eager demeanor attest
ed 10 a hndling of Nimrod-ike zeal.
what do YOU say Ia, N hours sport. Mr..
Earlier" shouted the lieutenant, az he bore
down upon his friend, for Hubert was a de-
eided faYorite with every member of the
party,
81 think il would be a downright shame M
turn our backs on such splendid game. !" was
the quick response. "Who could cat a din
near us2" w
Tho lieutenant smiled, glanced M and
down th3 line, reading eager longing In the
faces OF his men, and resolved to carry ont
his own aud the general desire.
AT word OF command from him, the mar.
~ set ont at quick gallop for the scene of
action.
The buaalscs allowed the enemy 10 IN.
pfoeeh quite near, the wind favOrina he
hunters; but al iength began to fnuffI the ain
uneasily, to shake their heads AVID 10 lool
for the cause OF their apprth enslons. " II
A moment later and they had boheld tho
enemy, and, with hightful beilowings and
mighty tramp, had begun their wild. mad
flight to tho southwark. ~
The chase was a long one; and II was mot
till The hunters had run tho bufaloes nnnn \,
spur OF the Black Hills that they got apood
chance at them. They then brought dawn
several plump young bu1aloes, and dinner
speedily became the watchw0rd. 1870
" IL noon, and Wen have dinner" said
the lientenapt. observing that the baRaage
animals with their drivers were approae6ine
"Kndle a fire, boys, and wen have steaks.
an q Toasts Ia abundanoe.R IA u
While this order was being carried into
on iot; Hubert and several others were an
gagged In surveying the scene.
"A lonely and desolate spot aaid Hubert.