Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1869-03-26
ly wilds, and every man there enjoyed it


tention of the others. ~
s. Halo, boys!'' he cried. "I'm blest if
here isn't cave in the hill! Come, see the
hole under these bushes. You never saw
anything hidden heater in your lives"
Jones thinks nobody ever saw cave
BEFORE" said one of the loungers. For
my part, think more of something to eat,
than hole in the ground"
This sentiment was echoed by the others,
but the lnquisitive cave discoverer, moth
ing daunted, approached the fire, took
from 1t torch, returned to the butte, part
ed the bushes, revealing 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, aud Jones
did not reappear.
elf that fellow had found a gold mine
in there he wouldn't call on u.s." growled
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 a 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 h2l If we had
time, it might pay to explore it. Under
the present circumstances, am like Brown,
and prefer my dinner to scientific explora-
TONS"
The meal seemed to be nearly ready, for
the rattiing Of tin cups and dishes began
to be heard; the lieut tenants small camp
chest vas uDpacked, aud the cooks shout
ed to the strolilTs to come to dinner.
Have Jones aud Brown came back ?"
asked the lieutenant, as he rose to sit
ting position and glanced towards the
cavern.
The men replied in the negative.
SEQ after them then, King, and hurry
them up" said the officer. eve must re-
sumo the march after dinner, and cannot
afford to waste time here"
King, a fine young soldier, took a torch
and entered the cave.
HE dinner was dealt out-hot savory
steaks and roasts--tha coffee measured,
and the meal commenced, but none of the
men who had entered the cave made their
appearance!
"HoW singnlar!'' calculated Brydges,
testify and impA.ienUy. ''What can keep
those men? King has been gone ten min
utes. Here, Sergeant hasley, hurry those
men up -
The sergeant, brown, strong man of
middle age, hesitated, and 7entnred to
stammer:
II beg your pardon, lieutenant, but I
think there's something wrong inside the
cave. There's three men i'll there-all
hungry and knowing that dinners ready.
Surely they'd come back if they could
Perhaps there's wilds beasts, or some
strange kind of gas that smothers 'em,
Or"
>onsense, Sergeant p interrupted the
lieutenant, frowning. II give you five
minutes to bring those men back. Coz
The Sergeant's face paled, but, without
another word, he took up torch and en-
tered the cave, disappearing from the
gaze of his friends.
The minutes passed, tho lieutenant and
the men ate their dinner mechanically,
awaiting anxiously the expected return !;
yet none of the four came back.
The words of the sergeant had made a
deep impression on the minds of his hear
ers. A general gloom fell upon the camp,
and the men cast frequent and fearful
chances in the direction of the cavern
Even the lieutenant and Hubert felt
strange depression creeping over them,
which neither could resist.
demanded the officer. "The sergeant's in
trouble, [ should judge, by this long alb
seuce There can't be gas in the cave, or
if SO, he would probably have had time to
cry out. There can't be wild beasts, for
those four men were all well armed, and
would at least have fred. Which of all you
men will go into tie cave and learn what
the matter is p
There was q general shrinking back.
Every soldier was brave in All Indian fight,
but not one dared to face mysterious and
unknown danger. Not one wished to risk
the complete and total disappearance from
earth and human knowledge that had be-
fallen his comrades.
"Whoever will venture in search of the
missing men shall receive from me hun
dred dollars in gold - exclaimed Hubert,
IN his clear, ringing tones. "Who speaks
first for the money =
The Cffer was tempting but it was not
accepted. Not word of reply was made
to it.
Hubert hesitated, giving brief thought
to Miriam, his loved and waiting Miriam
His face then glowed with heroic light,
and he said, in tones that did not falter
81 will go in search of the men, Lieu
tenant Bridges. Only, your party is now
small, and if do not return in twenty
minutes, you may resume your journey"
but. Earle" expostulated the lieu
tenant, "this is positive madness. You
must not risk your life. We will wait
while, and if the men do not return, we
will move on !"
"They may need help" replied Hubert,
steadily. They may have encountered
we'll, God knows what, l can't imagine.
If fire my rife, come to me. If I fail
to return within the time appointed, move
on p
He went up to the nearest fire, picked
up blazing stick, arranged bis rifle for
instant use, approached the mouth of the
cave, peered into it cautiously, and lis
tened intently for some sound of life within.
No sound cane All was still as death
within the cavern.
The next instant Hubert had vanished
therein.
All was now breathless suspense.
The lieutenant and his men gathered
around to listen for the report of the rifle.
The minutes passed, but it came not Five
minutes dragged by-ten-ffteen, and
still no sound reached their ears. They
could see brief space into the cavern, by
the light Of their own torches, but nothing
but rocky walls and floor met their gaze.
has