Elizabeth daily monitor. [volume] (Elizabeth, N.J.) 1868-1880, 1869-03-24

bert was decided favorite with every
member of the party.
81 think it would be a downright
shame to turn our backs on such splen-
did game" was the quick response.
"Who could eat dinner of salt
pork, with those fat bufaloes so near
us ?'
The lieutenant smiled, glanced up
and down the line, reading eager long
ing in the faces of bis men, and resolv-
ed to carry out his own and the gener-
al desire.
At the word of command from HIM
the party set out at quick gallop for
the scene of action.
The bu1faloes allowed the enemy to
approach quite near, the wind favoring
the hunters but at length began to
snuff the air uneasily, to shake their
heads, and to look for the cause of
their apprehensions.
A moment later they had beheld the
enemy and, with frightful bellowings
and mighty tramp had begun their
mad flight to the southwark.
The chase was long one and it was
not till the hunters had run the buffa-
loes upon spur of the Black Hills that
they got good chance at them. They
then brought down several plump
young buffaloes, and dinner speedily
became the watchword
cit is noon, and we'll have dinner"
said the lieutenant observing that the
baggage animals with their drivers
were approaching. ''Kindle fire,
boys, and we'll have steaks and roasts
in abundance"
While this order was being carried
into effect, Hubert and several others
were engaged in surveying the scene.
ga lonely and desolate spot" said
Hubert, thoughtfully. ''It looks as if
man had never before visited it,"
''And no WONDER" returned Bridges
''since it's five miles off the route.
What could any man want here, unless
he might be in pursuit of bufgaloes ?"
There being no answer to this, ques-
ton, Hubert proceeded to find an ex-
cellent grazing spot for his horse,
tethered him and 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 to burn, aud several fires were
soon kindled The choicest portions
of the buffaloes were readily prepared
for cooking, and II was not long before
the odor of burning flesh was diffused
on the air four or five hungry soldiers
serving as cooks.
1t was wild picnic scene on those
lonely wilds, and every man enjoyed it
with true gypsy zest.
Suddenly shout from one of the
men who were strolling around, arrest
ed the attention Of the others
Halo, boys T. he cried. I'm blest
if here isn't a cave in the hill Come,
see the hole under these bushes. You
never saw anything hidden neater in
your lives"
"Jones thinks nobody ever saw a
cave before" said one of the loungers
'For my part, think more of some
thing to eat. than a hole in the ground.
The sentiment was echoed by others,
but the inquisitive cave discoverer,
nothing daunted, approached the fire,
took from it torch, returned to the
butte. parted the bushes, revealing a
dark aperture in the face of the rock,
and disappeared within it, his light Civ
ing back yellow glare for II second
after he ceased to be seen.
The camp revelry went on and the
cooking progressed, the minutes pass
ed, and Jones did not reappear
IF that fellow had found a gold
mine in there he wouldn't call one of
us, growled the lounger who had be-
fore spoken. 1T wonder what Jones
has found. I'll jest take look, as
dinner isn't ready"
He arose lazily, distracted stick Of
burning wood for torch, proceeded to
the cavern entrance, and disappeared
from view.
Probably" said Hubert; "there's
O large cavern under that hill. II we