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

Skirting the Black Hills, forty miles wesi
OF Fort Laramie, party of horsemen were
riding eastward.
They had left Fort Bridger, eight days be-
fore, taking the route of the North Platte,
and were now following the Oregon emf
grant road, among those long ridges, dry
beds of rivers. and sterile plains, by which
the region of the Black Hills is distinguish
ed
The bulk Of the party consisted of ten cav
| alrymen, under lieutenant, who were re-
turning to Fort Laramie, their post of duty.
They were well mounted, and had several
led horses in their train, loaded with their
provisions and appuricnances of travel.
The balance of the party comprised three
civilians, who had seized the opportunity of
Two of these were cmigrants who had set
tied near Fort Biidger, but who had tired of
the great solitude, or been frightened by the
Indians, and were now returning eastward
in search of homes nearer the haunts of civ
ilization.
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, magnilicently formed, broad
shouldered, deep -chested, as vigorous as an
athlete, and rode his horse, fiery Mexican
stecd, with the grace and ease of Centaur.
At the moment of his introduction to the
reader, he was riding in the rear of the little
train, busy with his own reflections, which
were evidently as brigh. as the morning it.
self-the forenoon preceding the events we
have recorded.
His thoughts were wrapt in the sweet
memory of Miriam, who had wept so bitter
ly at his departure, and who, he expected,
would smile so joyously at his return
1.-The dear little soul !" lie murmured aloud,
"Whcre is she nows ?"
His eyes darkened with tender sweetness,
his lips quivered with tie incfiable love that
flooded his being with happiness akin to
pain. He pictured their meeting, the pretty
home they would share together, the years
they would spend in each others society, the
tender mutual love and care that would bless
all their coming days
He had left her poar adventurer, to seek
her 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 sup
port them both in luxury as long as they
might live.
1t 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 10 great distance, small
herd OF bufialocs was grazing lazily, seem-
ingly not at all alarmed by the near presence
of 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 gallopcd 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
kindling of Nimrod-like zeal.
What do you say to an hours sport, Mr..
Earle?" shouted the lieutenant, as he bore
down upon his friend, for Hubert was de-
cided favorite with every member of the |
party.
81 think it would be downright shame |
to tnrn our backs on such splendid game"
a dinner of salt pork, with those fat buffaloes |
so near us?"
The lieutenant smiled, glanced up and |
down the line, readiSg 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 buhaloes allowed the enemy to an. |
proach 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 enc
my, and, with frightful bellowihgs and |
mighty tramp, had begun their wild, mad
flight to the southwark.
The chase was 4 long one and il vas not |
till the hunters had rul the buiialoes upon
spur OF the Black Hills that they got a good
chance at them. They then brought down |
several plump youag buffalocs, and dinner
speedily became the watchword
1t is noon and we'll have dinner" said |
the lieutenant observing that the baggage an
imals with their drivers were approaching
''kindle a fire, boys, and we'll have steaks |
and roasts in abundance"
While this order was being carried INTO |
effect, Hubert and several others were en-
gagged in surveying the scene.
ga lonely and desolate spot, said Hubert
ut looks as if man had never
before visited IT,"
And no wonder" returned Bridges,
since it's five miles off the route. What
Souiu auJ Hluu Ndut EtTe, ullleSS ne might
be in pursuit of buffaloes p
There being no answer to this question,
Hubert proceeded to find an excellent graz |
ing 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 bushes were found dry enough
Q burn, and several fires were soon kindled.
Th choicest portions of the buffaloes were
'eadly prepared for cooking, and it was not
ong before the odor of burning flesh was
Infused on the air; four or five hungry SOL
Tiers serving as cooks.
1t was a wild picnic scene ON those lonely |
vilds, and every man there enjoyed it with
rue gypsy zest.
Suddenly shout from one of the men
Who were strolling around, arrested the at
ention of the others.
Halo, boys." he cried, am blest if
here isn't cave in the hill Come, sec the
,olc under these bushes. You never saw
Inything hidden neater In your lives"
"Jones thinks nobody ever saw cave
before" said one of the lounsers 'For my
'art, think more of something to eat, than
,f holo 10, tta cro,,nl |