The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1869-04-09
CHAPTER III.
CURIOUS AND STARTLING MYSTERY.


CURIOUS AND STARTLING MYSTERY.
Skirting the Black Hills, forty miles
west of Fort Laramie, q party OF horse
men were riding eastward. -...
They had left Fort Bridgcr eight days
before, taking the route of the North
Plate and were now following the Oregon
emiyrant road, among those long ridges,
dry beds of rivers, and sterile plains, by
which the region of the Black Hills Is dis
tinguished.
The bulk,Of the party consisted of ten
cavalry men, under lieutenant, who
were returning to Fort Larimie, their post
of duty.
The balance of the party comprised
three civilians. who had seized the oppOr-
tunity of crossing the mountains under
military escort. Two of these were emf
grants who had settled near Fort Bird
Ger, but who tired of the great solitude,
or been frightened by the Indians, and
were now returning eastward in search ol
homes nearer the haunts of civilization.
The third civilian was Hubert Earle
the lover of Miriam Dane, the settler
daughter. whom we have just LEFT In such
deadly peril. =,
lie was splendid specimen OF Ameri
can manhood, magniflcently formed, broad
shouldered, and rs vigorous as an athlete
and rode his horse, liery Mexican steed,
with the grace and ease of a Centrum.
At the moment of his introduction tC
the reader, he was riding in the rear Of
the little train, busy with his own reilec'
tions, which were evidently as bright AS
the morning itself, the forenoon proceed
Ing the events we have recorded.
His thoughts were rapt in the sweet
memory of Miriam, who had wept so bit
terly at his departure, and who, he ex'
pected, would smile so joyously ut his re-
turn.
The dear little soul, he murmured aloud
where Is she nowg
His eyes darkened with tender sweet
ness, his lips quiyered with the ineilabl,
love that flooded his being with happi
ness akin TO pain.
He had LEFT her n poor adventurer, 10
seek his fortune among the mines OF ldl-
no. He was returning To her more than
moderately rich man, with bills of eN-
change I'm his channels mOney-belt OF sufii'
cient value 10 support them both in luNu-
nv rs long rs they both might live.
IL was not TO be wondered ut 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 excitement. To the
southwark, at no great distance, 4 small
herd of buifaloes was grazing lazily, seem
ingly not at all alarmed by the near pres
encc OF n formidable enemy.
The wind was blowing from them, the
horses were fresh, and, as he looked a
| the tempting game, Hubert felt the spiri
| of the hunter grow strong within him.
| Giving rein to his horse, he gallopct
along the liae tn speak to the lieutenant
but was met half way by that officer
whose sparkling eyes and easy demeanol
attested to kindling of Nlmrod llk'
zeal.
What do you say to an hours sport, Mr.
| Earle? shouted the lieutenant, rs lie Dor,
| down upon his friend. for Habert was
decided favorite with every member OF thu
| party.
The lieutenant smiled, glanced up ant
| down the line, reading eager longing u
the face of his men, and resolved 10 carry
out his own and the general desire.
Alta word of command from him, TIT
! party set out at u quick gallOp for the
scene of action.
The buffalocs allowed the enemy to ap-
| proach quite near. the wind favOring tho
| hunters: but at length began to snuff thu
| air uneasily, to shake their heads, and tC
| look for the cause of their apprehenslons
A moment later they had beheld TN,
enemy, and with frightful bellowings an,
mighty tramp, had begun their mad fligh
10 the southwark.
The chase was long one; and II was
not till the hunters had run the bufialoe,
upon a spur of Black Hills that they hat
got good chance at them. They thef
brought down several plump young but
falOes, aud dinner became the watchword
II l. noon, and we'll have dinner, said
the lieutenant. observing that the bag
rage animals with their drivers were mp
preaching. kindle fire, boys, and wei
have steaks and roasts In abundance.
While this order was being carried out
Hubert aud several others were engaged
in surveying the scene.
| A lonely and desolate spot, said Hubert
| thoughtiully. IL looks rs II man had new
er before visited IL.
And no wonder, returned Bry1ges
since its five miles of the route. Wha
| could any man want here, unless h,
might be in pursuit Of buiialoes.
| There being no answer 10 this question
Hubert proceeded tn find an excellent
grazing spot for his horse, and Hung him
self on the ground in the shadow OF th'
hill. The lieutenant and number OF lh'
men followed his example. -
Plenty of low bushes were found CIR,
enough to burn, and fires were hihuicu
The choicest portions ofths builaloes wer'
prepared for cooking, and IL was not Ion.
before the Odor of burning flesh was I'LL
fused on the air.
II was wild panic scene on those lone
some wilds, and every man there cuoye'
Il, with true gypsy Eest.
Suddenly a shout from one of the men
who were strolllng around, arrested thu
attention OF the others.
.HalIo, boys. he cried. Tm blest !
here isn't cave In the hill. Gene see tn
hole under these bushes.
Jones thinks nobody ever saw cave
before. said one OF the men. For my part
think more OF something to eat, than o
hole In the ground.
This sentiment was echoed by the 9th
ers. but the inQuisitiye cave discovers
4 nothing daunted, approached the fire
took from Il n torch. returned TO the butte
parted the bushes, revealing dark aper
turc In the face Of the rock, and disappear
ed within Il, his light giving back vel
low glare for second amer he had cease
10 be seen.
The camp revelry went on, the csokin:
progressed. the mnntespasscd, and Jone
did not appear.
Ifthat fellow had found n gold mine n
wouldn't call one OF Us. growied TN
lounger who had spoken before. won
der what he has found. I'll take n loo