New-York tribune., 1869-03-27
CHAPTER III.

They had left Fort Bndger eight days before, taking
the route of the North Platte and now following
the Oregon emgrant 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 cavalrymen, un
der Lieutenant who were returning TO Fort Laramie
their post OF duty. They were well mounted and had
several led horses their tran loaded with their pro-
visions and appurtenances Of travel. ,.,
The balance Of the party comprised three civilians
who had seized the opportunity Of crossing the noun
tans under military escort Two of these were emil
grants who had settled near Fort Brdger but vino had
tired of the great Solitude been frightened by the
Indians and returning eastward in search OF
homes nearer the haunts Of civilization. ...
The third civilian was Hubert Earle, the lover OF
Miriam Dane the settlers daughter, whom We have just
left in such deadly peril.
He was splendid specimen Of American manhood
magDifcenty formed broadshOudered. .deepchested'
as vigorous as an athlete and rode his horse fiery Mexi
can steed, with the grace and ease Of q Centaur.
At the moment Of his introduction to the reader. he
was riding in the of the little tran busy with his
own reflections, which evidently as bright as the
morning itselfhe forenoon preceding the events we
have recorded. r .... ..
His thoughts were wrapt in the sweet memory OF
Miriam who had wept bitterly at his departure, and
who he expected would smile joyOusy at his return
"The dear little soulp he murmured aloud "Where
is she now u .I....r .,. .... ....
His eyes darkened with tender sweetness his lips
Quivered with the neable love that flooded his being
with happiness AKIN to pain. He pictured their meet
ing the pretty homo they would share together, the
years they would spend In each others society, the
tender mstual love and care that would bless all their
coming days
He had left her poor adventurer TO seek his fortune
among the mines Of Idaho. He returning to her
more than moderately rich man. with bills OF exchange
in his chamos money-belt OF sufficient value TO support
them both in luxury long as they might live.
1t was not be wondered a that his thoughts were
pleasant
Suddenly he was aroused from his trancelke silence
by cries OF delight his companions and by the fact
that they had checked their speed.
Looking around him quickly he behed the OF the
unusual excitement To the southwark at no great dis
tance small herd of bualoes grazing laziy seem
ingy not at all alarmed by the presence OF for
midable enemy.
The wind was blowing from them the horses resh
and as he looked at the tempting game Hubert felt the
spirit OF the hunter grow strong WITHIN hm an, , =,
sneak 10 the lieutenant but was met halfway by that
officer whose sparkling eyes and eager demeanor atesed
What do you say hours sport, Mr. Earle shout
ed tho lieutenant as he bore down upon his friend for M
bert was decided favorite with every member of the
party. .-,. -, - - -
backs on such splendid game" the quick response
Who could eat diuncr Of salt pork with those tat puma
The lieutenant smiled glanced up and down the line,
reading eager longing In the faces OF his men, ana re-
solved to carry out his own and the general Gese ont AZ
quick gallop for the scene Of action: -
the wind favorug hunters bat at length began TO
snuff the uneasy to shake their heads ana 70 look
for the cause OF their apprehension. -,
moment later they had beheld the enemy, and with
fightful bellOwngs and mighty tramp, had begun their
wild, mad fight to the southwark -. .
The chase Was long one and 1t not TIL the hunt
ers had run the bualOes upon spur Of the BLACK Hs
that they got 1 gGo1 ~ and dinner speedily
II "a moor and we'll have dinner" said the Lieutenant
observing that the baggage animals with their drivers
were approaching: "kDdle nre' boys ana wen nave
While this order being carried into effect Hubert
and several others were engaged IN surveying he scene
fully ait looks had never before visited IT.
And no wonder" returned Brydges " since it's fve
less it might be in pursuit OF bufaloesi"
There being no answer this question. Hubert pro-
oeeded to find excellent grazing spot for his horse
tethered him. aud 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 10 burn
and several fires klndled. The choicest por
and was not long before the odor Of burning flesh was
dused the air. four or five hungry soldiers serving
It was wild picnic on those lonely wids. and
every man there enjoyed 1t with true Vipsy zest.
Suddenly shout from one Of the men who were stroll
ing around, arrested the attention OF the others .
cave in the h Come see the hole under these bushes
You never sew anything hidden neater in your lives"
Of the lOungers: "For my part think more OF some
This sentiment was echoed by the Others but the in
quistye cave dscoyeIer nothing da1nted approached
the re TOOK from IL torch returned 10 the butte part
the rock and disappeared within it, MS light giving back
yellow glare for second after he had ceased TO be
The camp reyey went the cooking progressed the
minutes passed. and Jones did not reappear.
woadnt % call one Of u.s. srowied the ioaSger who had
before spoken 81 wonder what Jones has found. III
lest take look as dinner isn't ready"
He arose lazly abstracted stick Of burning wood for
torch, proceeded TO the cavern entrance, and disap
Probably said Hubert "theres large cavern under
that hill II had time, 1t might pay TO explore 1t.
prefer my dinner to scientific explorations"
The seemed to be nearly ready for the ratlng Of
tin cups and dishes began TO be heard the eutenants
small campchest unpacked, and the cooks shouted
10 the strOllers TO come to dinner.
"Have Jones and Brown come back J" asked the lieu
tenant he rose 70 sitting position, and glanced to-
The men replied in the negative.
"Go after them then, Kiug and hurry them up, said
the ofhcer 1--WE must resume the march after dinner
and cannot afford to waste time here"
King fine young sodler, TOOK toreh ana entereu the
The dinner was dealt outhot savory steaks and roasts
the coffee measured, and the meal commenced, but
none OF the who had entered the cave MADE Iher
How singular ~ calculated Brydges, testify and inpa
tiently. "What keep those men KING had been
gone 10 minutes. Here sergeant haisey hurT! thoso
The sergeant brown, strong man of middle age hes
81 beS yonr pardon Lieutenant but think there's
something wrong inside the There's three men in
there--ali hungry and knowing that dinners ready
surely they d come back II they could Perhaps there's
wild beasts or strange kind OF gas that smothers
'em, or" =, ,,-..
Nonsense sergeant" interrupted the lieutenant.
frowning 81 giye you five minutes to bring these men
back Go" -. -,
The sergeanps face paled but, without another word
he took up torch aud entered the cave, disappearing
from the gaze OF his friends
The minutes passed the lieutenant and the men ATE
their dinner mechanically, awaiting anxiOusy the eX'
pecled return: yet Of the four came back
The words OF the sergeant had made deep lmpressOh