The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1869-03-30

the uOIo unueF CueS0 DuSneS. Lou new
er saw anything hidden neater in your
lives
Jones thinks nobody ever saw a cave
BEFORE said one of the loungers. For
my part, thie k more of something to
eat. than of a hole in the ground
This sentiment was echoed by the
others, but the iaquisitive cave discov.
erer, nothing daunted, approached the
fire, took fron. it torch. returned to
the butte, parted the bushes, revealing
dark aperture in the face of the rock,
ond disappeared within it, his light Civ
ter he had ceased to be seen.
The camp revelry went on. the cook
ing progressed, the minutes passed, and
Jones did not reappear.
If that fellow had found gold mine
in there he wouldn't call one of u.s.
growled the lounger who had before
spoken Il wonder what Jones has
found. I'll jest take a look, as dinner
isn't ready
He arose lazily, distracted stick of
burning wood for torch, proceeded to
the cavern entrance, aad disappeared
from view
Probably said Hubert, there's a
large cavern under that hill. If we had
time, it might paw to explore it. Under
the present circumstances, am like
Brown. and prefer my dinner to scien-
tific explorations
The meal seemed to he nearly ready,
for the rattling Of tin cups ard dishes
began to be 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 2
asked the lieutenant, as he rose to sit
ting position, and glanced towards the
cavern.
The men replied in the negative.
Go after them then, King. and hurry
them up said the officer we must re-
sumo the march after dinner, and can
not afford to waste time here
King, fine young soldier, took
torch, and entered the cave.
The dinner was dealt out--hot savory
steaks and roasts--the coffee measured,
and the meal commenced, but none of
the men who had entered the cave maze
their appearance
How singular ejaculssed Bridges,
testify and impatiently. what can
keep those men? King has been gone
ten minutes Here, Sergeant Halsey,
hurry those men up"
The sergeant, brown, strong man
of middle age, hesitated, and veutured
to stammer:
4 beg Your pardon, Lieutenant, but
think there's something wrong inside
the cave There's three men in there
all hungry and knowing that dinners
ready. Surely they'd come back if they
could. Perhaps there's wild beasts. or
some strange kind of gas that smothers
'em, Or
Nonsense, Sergeant interrupted the
lieutenant, frowning. L give you FIVE
inmates to tring those men hack. Cor
The seargeant's face paled, but. with
out another word, he took up torch
and entered the cave, disappearing from
the gaze OF bis friends.
The minutes passed, the lieutenant
and the men ate their dinner mechanic
ally, awaiting anxiouslv the expected re-
turn; yet none of the four came back.
The words of the sergeant had made
deep impression on the minds of his
hearers. A general gloom fell upon the
camp, and the men cast frequent and
fearful glances in the direction of the
cavern Even the lieutenant and HUI
bert felt strange depression creeping
over them. which neither could resist.
what can be the matter p at length
demanded the officer. THE sergeant's
in trouble, should judge, by this long
absence. There can't be gas in tho
cave, or if so. he would probably have
had time to cry out. There can't be
will beasts. for those four men were all
we'll armed, and woulG at least have
fired Which Of all you men will go in
is?'
There was general shrinking back
b cry soldier was brave in an Indian
fight, but not one dared to face a mys
terious and unknown danger. Not one
wished to risk the complete and total
disappearance from earth and human
knowledge that had befalien his COM
rades.
Whoever will venture in search of the
missing men shall receive from me
hundred dollars in gold = exclaimed HUI.
bert. in his clear, ringing tones. who
speaks first for the money p
The offer was tempting but it was
not accepted. Not word of reply was
made To It.
Hubert hesitated, giving brief
thought to Miriam, his beloved and
waiting Miriam His face then glo - ed
with heroic light, and he said, in tones
that did not faitsr:
Il will go in search of the men, Lieu.
tenant Bridges. Only, your rarty is
now small, and if I do not return in
twenty minutes, you may resume your
journey
But, Earle expostulated the lienten-
ant, this is positive madness You
must not risk your life We will wait q
while, and if the men do not return, we
will move on
They may need help replied HUI.
bert, steadily. They may have encoun
tered-well, God knows what, cane
imagine. II fire my rifle. come to me.
If fail to return within the time ap.
pointed, move on!