The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1869-03-25

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scene of action.
The bufaloes allowed the enemy to ap-
proach quite near, the wind fayoriug 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 bellowiAgs and
mighty tramp, had begun their wild, mad
flight to the southwark.
Khe chase was long one; and it was
not till the hunters had run the baffaloes
upon spur of the Black Hills that they
got good chance at them. They then
brought down several plump young buff
faloes, and dinner speedily became the
watchword.
1T 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 abund-
ance."
While this order was being carried in
engaged in surveying the scene,
"A lonely and desolate spot" said HUI
bert, thoughtfully. ut looks as if man
had never before visited it,
"And no wonder" returned Bridges,
since it is five miles off the route What
can any man want here, unless he be in
pursuit of buffaloes?"
There being no answer to this question,
Hubert proceeded to find an excellent
grazing spot for his horse, tethered him, land
flung himself on the ground in the shad-
ow of the hill. The lieutenant anda por-
tion of the men followed his example.
Plenty of low bushes were found dry
enough to burn, and several fires were
soon kindled. The choicest portions Of
the butfaloes were readily prepared for
cooking, and it was not long before the
odor of burning flesh was difused on the
air; four or five hungry soldiers serving
as cooks. E.
1t was wild picnic scene on those lone
ly wilds, and every man there enjoyed it
with true gypsy zest.
Suddenly shout from one of the men
who were strolling around, arrested the
attention of the others.
Halo, boysr 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 our lives. :"
"Jones thinks nobody ever saw cave
BEFORE" said one of the loungers, ''For
my part, think more of something to
eat, thin of hole in the ground"
This sentiment was echoed by the 9th
ers, but the inquisitiYe cave discoverer, not
daunted, approached the fire, took from 1T
torch, returned to the butte, parted
the bushes revealing a dark aperture in
the face of the rock, and disappeared
within it, his light giving back yellow
glare for a second after he had ceased to
be seen.
The camp revelry went on, the cooking
progressed, the minutes passed, and Jones
did not Ieappear.
IF that fellow had found gold mine
in there he wouldn't call oneo of us" growl-
ed the lounger who had before spoken.
81 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 and disappeared from
view.
"Probably," said Hubert "there's a
large cavern 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
explorations.
The. meal seemed to be nearly ready,
for the rafting of tin cups and dishes be-
gan to be heard; the lieutenant's small
camp chest was unpacked, and the cooks
shouted to the strollers to come to dinner.
s'Have Jones and Brown came back 2"
asked the lieutenant as he rose to sitting
position, and glanced toward the cav
ern. t
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 cannot
afford to waste time here"
King, fine young soldier, took torch,
and entered the cave. I'
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 made
their appearance!
"How singularr calculated Bridges,
testify and impatientlY. "What can keep
those men? King has been gone ten min
utes'. Here, Sergeant Halsey, hurry those
men upi" e
The sergeant, a brown, strong man OF
middle age, hesitated and ventured to
stanmer:
81 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 'ein, or"
"Nonsense, Sergeant!'' interrupted the
lieutenant frowning II give you five
minutes to bring those men back. Cor
The sergeant's face paled, but, without
another word, he took up torch and en-
tered the caYe disannoarinQ tom the