The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1869-03-23

| biihk inoinppou Only llnt ouOuRn 10 nnen
look Of gratitude towards the maiden as
he dashed away to the northeast, towards
J his menaced home. t.
A moment later, Mr.. Dane looked over
his shoulder-took In at glance the situa-
tlon Of affairs, recognizing the peril rs well
as the Ioivisn OF his ohiid--bowed his head
solemnly, az one submits to the Inevitable.
In appreciation Of her conduct, and then he
swept on TO the rescue Of his wife, his soul
torn by such emotions as are seldom brought
to battle together. ''''I. .
And Miriam, throwing herself fat upon
the ground, remained alone upon the plain,
In the very path Of a score Of mounted In
dams, who were galloping towards her with
the swiftness OF the wind!
.H d. CHAPTER II.
CURIOUS AND STARTLING MYSTERY,
skirting the Black Hills, forty miles wost
Of Fort Laramie, party Of horsemcn were
riding eastward.
They had len Fort Bridger eight days be.
fore, taking the route Of tho North Platte,
aud were now following the Oregon emigrant
road, among those long ridges, dry beds Of
rivers, and sterile plains, by which the re-
gion Of the Black Hills Is distinguished.
Tho bulk Of tho party consisted Of ten
cavalrymen, under Q lieutenant, who wero
returning to Fort Laramie, their post Of
duty. They were well mounted, and had
several led horses in their train, loaded with
their provisions and appurtenances Of travel.
The balance OF the party comprised three
civilians, who had seized the opportunity of
crossing the mountains under military es-
cort. Two Of these were emigrants who had
settled near Fort Bridger, but who had tired
OF the great solitude, or been frightened by
the Indians, and were now returning east
ward 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 a splendid specimen of American
manhood, magniacently formed, broad
athlete, and rode his horse, derry Mexican
steed, with the grace and ease of Centaur.
At the moment Of the Introduction to tile
reader, he was riding In the rear of the little
train, busy with his own reflections, which
were evidently as bright as the morning
itself-the forenoon preceding the events we
have recorded.
His thoughts were wrapt In the sweet
memory Of Miriam, who had wept so
| bitterly at his departure, and who, he ex-
pected, would smile so joyously at his re-
turn.
"The dear little soul' he murmured aloud
"Where Is she nowi"
His eyes darkened with tender sweetness,
his lips quivered with the ineffablc love that
pain. He pictured their meeting, the pretty
home they would share together, the years
| they would spend In enrh nther's society, tho
| tender mutual 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
was returning to her more than moderately
rich man, with bills OF exchange In his cha
mois money-belt Of sufficient value to support
them both In luxury as long as they might
live.
Il was not to be wondered at that his
thoughts were pleasant.
Suddenly he was aroused from his trance
like silence, by cries Of delight from his
companions, and by the fact that they had
checked their speed. ....
Looking around him quickly, he beheld
the cause Of the unusual excitement. To
the southwark, at no great distance, small
herd OF bufialoes wns grazing lazily, seem
ingly not at all alarmed by the near pre-
sence Of a formidable enemy.
The wind was blowing from them, the
horses were fresh, and, as he looked at the
tempting game, Hubert felt the spirit Of the
hunter grow strong within him.
Giving rein to his horse, he galloped along
the line to speak to the lieutenant, but was
met half way by that officer, whose spark
ling eyes and eager demeanor attested TO u
kindling Of Nimrod-like zeal.
what do you say to an hours sport, Mr..
Earlef" shouted the lieutenant, as no bore
down upon his friend, for Hubert was de-
cided favodte with every member Of the
party.
81 think 1t would be downright shame
to turn our backs on such splendid game"
was the quick response. "who would eat
dinner Of salt pork, with those fat buffaloes
so near US ."
The Lieutenant smiled, glanced up and
down the line, reading eager longing In the
faces OF his men, and resolved to carry out
his own and the general desire.
At word Of command from him, the
party set out at quick gallop for the scene
Of action.
The buffaloes allowed the enemy to an
proaeh quite near, the wind fayoring the
hunters but at length began TO snuff the air
uneasily, to shake their heads, aud to look
for the cause Of their approximations.
A moment later they had beheld the
enemy, and. with frightened bellowings and
mighty tramp, had begun their wild, mad
flight to the southwark.
The chase was q long one; and 1t was not
till the hunters had run the bufialocs upon a
spur of the Black Hills that they got good
chance at them. They then brought down
several plump young buffaloes, and diuner
speedily became the watchword.
~ Is noon, and Wen have dinner" said
the lieutenant, observing that the baggage
Ing. "Kindlc 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.
"a lonely and desolate spot, said Hubert,
before visited it," '0'''
"'And no WONDER" returned Bridges,
since It's five miles of tho route. What
could any man want here, unless he might
be la pursuit OF bu6aloes ~
~ ihere being no answer TO this question, |
Hubert proceeded to find an excellent grazing
spot for his horse, tethered him, aud hung
himself on the ground In the shadow Of the
NIL. The lieutenant and portion OF the |
men followed his example.
Plenty OF low bushes were found drv
enough to burn, and several fires were soon |
kindled. The choicest portions Of the buff |
ialoes were readily prepared for cooking,
and It was not long before the odor of burning
flesh was diffased on the air; four or Ave
hungry soldiers serving as cooks.
~ was wild picnic scene on those lonely
true gypsy zest.
Suddenly a shout from one Of the men who
we're strolling around, arrested the attention
Of the others.
"Hallo, boys 20 he cried. "Im blest If
here isn't cave In the hilll Come, see the
hole under these bushes. You never saw
anything hidden neater In your lives"
Jones thinks nobody ever saw a cave be-
FORE" said one Of the loungers. "For my
part, think more Of something to eat than
Of a hole in the ground" = -
This sentiment was echoed by the others,
but the inquisitlye cave discoyerer, nothing
haunted, approached the fire, took from II a
torch, returned to the butte, parted the
Dsshes, revealing dark aperture In the face I
u the rock, and disappeared within IL, his
light giving back yellow glare for a second
Ifter he had ceased to be seen.
The camp reyelry went on, the cooking pro- /
Iressed, the minutes passed, and Jones did
rot Icappear. '1'T' j.. 10 "
~ that fellow has found a gold mine in