Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1869-04-01

Looking around MIN quickly, ho ocncnu
the cause of the unusual excitement. 1ol
the southwark, at no great distance, a.
small herd of buffaloes was grazing lazly,
seemingly 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 galloped
along the line to speak to the lieutenant
but was met half way by that officer,
whose sparkling eyes and eager demeanor
attested to kindling Of Nimrodllke zeal.
"What do you say TO an hours sport,
Mr.. Earle ~ shouted the lieutenant, as be
bore down upon his friend, for Hubert
was decided favorite with every mem
Der of the party.
az think il would be a downright shame
to turn our backs on such splendid game, J"
was the quick response. "Who could eat
dinner of salt pork, with those tat but
faloes so near US & !,
The lieutenant smiled, glanced up and
down the line, reading eager longing IN
the faces of his men, and resolved 10 car
nv out his own and the general desire.
At a word Of command from him, The
party set out at quick gallop for the
scene of action.
The buffaloes allowed the enemy to APP
proach quite near, the wind favoring the
hunters but at length began to snuf the
air uneasily, TO shake their heads, anc 10
look for the cause of their apprehenslons.
A moment later they had beheld the
enemy. and, with frightful hellowings and
mighty tramp, had begun their wild, mad
flight to the southwark.
The chase was long one and 1t wac
not till the hunters had run the bAfialoes
upon a spur of the Black Hills tia. they
GOT good chance at them. They then
/ brought down several plump young buiiA-
loes, and dinner speedily became III
watchword.
at is noon, and we'll have dinner,
said the lieutenant, observing that lht
baggage animals with their drivers Were
approaching. "Kindle fire, boys, and
We III have steaks and roasts IN abundance.
While this order was being carried lni'
effect, Hubert and several others were en-
gagged in surveying the scene.
"a lonely and desolate spot" sand
Hubert, thoughtfully. at looks rs Il
man had never before visited IL"
ard no wonder" returned Bridges
sssince it's five miles off Tie rout. " ha
could any man want here, unless he migh
be in pursuit of bufaloes r.
There being no answer to this question
Hubert proceeded to find an excellent
grazing spot for his horse, tethered him
and flung himself on the ground IN th'
T shadow Of the hill The lieutenant aud :
portion Of the men followed his example
Plenty of low bushes We're found dry
I enough 10 burn, and several fires wer'
soon kinded. The choicest portions @
the buaaloes were readily prepared 10
cooking, and it was not long before th'
odor Of burning flesh was dltiused on In
air; four or five hungry soldiers ser'ini
as cooks.
1t was wild picnic scene on thos
lonely wilds, and every man there enJoye0
It with true gypsy zest.
, Suddenly a shout from one Of the me
who were strolling around. arrested ih
attention of the others.
"Hallo, boys = be cried. I'm bles
if here isn't cave IN the h.il. Come
. see the hole under these bushes. You ncy
: er saw anything hidden heater in You
: lives
.'Jones thinks nobody ever saw a cay'
before said one Of the loungers. 40
/ my part, | think more OF something 1
5 eat, than Of hole ia the ground.
4 This sentiment was echoed 10y III
others, but the inquisitlye caye discorerer
nothing daunted, approached the fire, tool
r from II a torch, returned Ia the butte
. parted tie Dusles. revealing dad
aperture 10 the face Il the rock, and DIS
e appeared within il, his light giving back
] yellow glare for a second after be ha
e ceased to be seen.
: The camp reyelry went On. Tie coohln
progressed, the minutes passed, and Joue
r did not reappear.
'lf that f-lo@ had found a gold ,q.h
5 in there he wouldn't call one Of as,
4 growled the !onuger who had hrior
e spoken. Il wonder what Jones h4s ionEe
/, I'll Jest take a look, as dinner isn't ready.
; lie arose lalIly, distracted stIce I
: burning wood tor torch, proceeded
the cavern entrance. AMI disapletr- i-ai
n view
e "Probably,' said Hubert. there
# large cavern under lhu Lll. II We la
Q time, il might pay t. explore A. lae'
e the present circumstance. am llk
Brown, and prefer my dinner 10 -centt
explorations"
The meal seemed to Ice urllit real,
for the rafting Of tin cups aud d.,hr, b.
gan TO be heard the lIeuteuants sna
5 eamp-chesi was unpackei, amt The coot
= shouted to the strollers to come 10 dinner
"Have Jones and Brown came back
S asked the lieutenant AZ be- rose to a -
Ii ting position, and slar,.I toward n
N cavern.
;. The men replied IN the negative
y s'Go after them then, King. AMI huri
i them up said the officer. We mus. d
sumo the march after dinner, and cann
n. afford 10 waste-time here.
10 King, fine oung soldier, look "a ior-
If and entered the cave
|. The Dinner was dealt out hot sa,ul
i. steaks and roasis-the coffee measure
> and the meal commenced, Int none Of II
men who had entered the cave made the
d appearance.
r .How sineularr' CALCULATED Bridge
n testify and impatently. "What can ke'
1 those men king has been gone {,
r, minutes. Here, Sergeant Halsey, hurl
e, those men up !.
d The sergeant, a brown, strong man
of middle age, hcsiiated, and y,uurel
10 stammer:
e, 81 beg your pardon, Lieutenant, bui
s think there's something wrong inside Il
% cave. There's three men IN there
hungry and knowlng that dinners read
j. surely they'd come back il they coul
/. Perhaps there's Wild beasts, or son
r strange kind Of gas that smolhers 'er