Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1869-03-25


second after he had ceased to be seen.
The camp revelry went on, the cookin
progressed, the minutes passed, and Jone
did not reappear.
eff that fellow has found gold mine il
there he wouldn't call one of u.s." growlet
the lounger who had before spoken. 81
wonder what Jones has found. Ill Jest take
a look, as dinner isn't ready"
He arose lazily, distracted stick of burn
ing wood for torch, proceeded to the cav.
ern entrance, and disappeared from view
Probably" said Hubert, "there's large
cavern under under that hill If we had
time, it might pay to explore it. Under The
present circumstances, am like Brown,
and prefer my dinner to scientific explora-
tions"
The meal seemed to be nearly ready, for
the rafting OF tin cups and dishes began to
he heard; the lieutenant's small camp-chest
was unpacked, and the cooks shouted to the
strollers to come to dinner.
Have Jones and Brown came back ?''
asked the lieutenant, as he rose to sitting
position, and glanced toward the cavern.
The men replied in the negative.
go after them then, King, and hurry
afford to waste time here
King, fine young soldier, took torch
and entered the cave.
The dinner was dealt out-hot savory
steaks and reasts-the coffee measured, and
the meal commenced, but none of the men
who had entered the cave made their ap-
pearance!
elbow singular!" calculated Brydges,
testify and impatiently. "What can keep
those men? King has been gone ten
minutes. Here, Sergeant Halsey, hurry
those men up"
Tho Sergeant, brown, strong man of
middle age, hesitated, and ventured to
stammer
II beg your pardon. Lieutenant, but
think there's something wrong inside the
cave. There's three men in there-all hun
CRY and knowing that dinners ready. Sure
ly they'd come backif they could. Perhaps
there's wild beasts, or some strange kind of
gas that smothers 'em or"
Nonsense, Sergeant, interrupted the lieu
tenant, frowning. 81 give you five minutes
to bring those men back. Col"
The sergeant's face palcd, but, without an
the cave, disappearing from the gaze of his
friends.
The minutes passed, the lieutenant and the
men ate their dinner mechanically, awaiting
anxiously the expected return yet none Of
the four came back.
The words of the sergeant had made
deep impression upon the minds of his hear
ers. A general gloom fell upon the camp
and the men cast frequent and fearful glances
in the direction of the cavern. Even the lieu
tenant and Hubert felt strange depression
creeping over them, which neither could rc-
sist.
.What can be the matter p, at length de-
handed the officer ''The sergeants in troub-
lie, should judge, by this long absence.
There can't be gas in the cave, or if so, he
would probably have hrd time to cry out.
There can't be wild beasts, for those four
men were all well armed, and would at least
have fired. Which of ali you men will go
into the cave and learn what the matter p
There was general shrinking back. Every
soldier was brave in an Indian H. bit, but not
onc dared 10 face mysterious and unknown
LANCER. Not one wished to risk the COM
,lete and total disappearance from earth and
human knowledge that had befallen his
comrades.
"Whoever will venture in search of the
Missing men shall receive from me hundred
dollars in gold!" exclaimed hubert in his
lear, ringing tones. ''Who speaks first for
he money?
The offer was tempting ; but ii was not nc
,epted. Not a reply was made to it,
Hubert hesitated, giving n brief thought 10
Miriam, his loved and waiting Miriam. His
ace then glowed with heroic light, and he
aid in tones that did not ialter
" will go in search of the iuen, Lieuten-
INT Bridges. Only, your party is now
mall, and if do not return in twenty min
ties, you may resume your journey
''But, Earle" ezpostulated the lieutenant,
this is positive madness. You must not
isk your life. We will wait while, and If
he men do not return, we will move on!"
''They may need help" replied Hubert,
teadily. "They may have encountered
veil, God knows what, can't imagine. If
fire my rifle, come to me. If fail to re
urn within the time appointed, move on"
He went up to the nearest fire, picked UP
! blazing stick, arranged his rifle for instant
Use, approached the mouth of the cave.
'eered into it cautiously, and listened intent
y for some sound of life within.
No sound came. All was as still as death
within the cavern.
The next instant Hubert had vanished
herein
All was now hreathless suspense.
The lieutenent and his men gathered
round to listen for the report of the rifle.
The minutes passed, but il came not. Five
minutes dragged hy-ten-fifteen, and still
70 sound rcacaed their ears. They could
&C brief space into the cavern, by the
Sut vi tlcii bNn iOiCiitS, uut uDluiIlI UuL
ocky walls and floor met their gaze.
Twenty minutes were thus passed. The
me was up, and Hubert had not returned.
The men looked at one another with pal
d faces. As it turned to stone, they stood
n awe-stricken group about the cavern's
Youth, until the minutes had more than
lade up an hour-and still they fingered.
During this time they had cleared away
he bushe" from the mouth Of the cave.
hey had tried again and again to peer in
} the dark depths Of the opening, but could
OF. The lieutenant had called repeatedly
} Hubert, but received no answer. AT
myth he proposed to tie rope around his
aist and descend into the sinister abyss,
1T his men objected unanimously.
"What's the use?" asked one. "There's
,mething here that no mortal man can con-
her."
"Wc can't risk your life, lieutenant" said
,othcr. "Just think how few there arc of
b."
The time continued to drag on.
At last. when two full hours had passed,
eut. Bridges staggered to his ieet, and
i'd:
"This is horrible-terrible beyond express
on We have lost four of our comrades
I'd this noble young stranger, whom |
we'd as brother. This fearful cave must
I'D the secret of their fate, be it what it
ay. Let lis go
Without word, but with white faces-in
sort of mute terror, the men mounted
cir horses and resumed their journey. The
,ove is all of this story that will be pub
hed in our columns. The continuation OF
from where il leaves off here can be found
,ly in the New York Ledger, which is for
lie at all the bookstores and news depots.
SIX for the number dated April 10, 1869, and
il you will find the continuation of this
autiful tale. The Ledger is mailed to sub
ribers at three dollars year. The publ
ton of Rev, DIR. Tyng's great story, which
IS been written expressly for the Ledger,
just commenced in the Ledger, so thai
If readers will get the whole OF these two
ories in it. The Ledger has the best
Dries of any paper in the world; and
enry Ward Beecher, James Parton and
amy Fern, have articles in every number
UANTED-An experienced man TO work a small
Farm, Fruit and Market Garden ~ miles be
" New Castle, on the river road, either for cash or
shares. One whs can furnish team preferred.
lis is good chance to make money as there Isl
gc lot of frnt and asparagus on the place. Good
tina audi NJ