Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1869-03-31
CHAPTER II.
A CURIOUS AND STARTLING MYSTERY

of horsemen were riding eastward.
| They had left Fort Bridger eight
days before, taking the route of the
/ North Platte, and were now follow
ing the Oregon emigrant road among
those long ridges, dry beds of rivers.
and sterile plains, by which the re-
gion of the Black Hills is distinguish
ed.
The bulk of the party consisted OF
ten cavalrymen, under a lieutenant,
who we're returning to Fort Laramie
their post of duty. They were well
mounted, and had several led horses
in their train, loaded with their pro.
visions and appurtenances of travel
The balance of the party compris-
ed three civilians, who had seized the
opportunity of crossing the noun.
tains under military escort. Two Of
these were emigrants who had set
tied near Fort Bridger, 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 civil.
ization.
The third civilian was Herbert
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, magni6cently
formed, broad-shouldered, deep-chest-
ed, as vigorous as an athletic, and
rode his horse, frey Mexican steed,
with the grace and ease of a Cen
taur.
AT the moment Of his introduc-
ton to the reader, he was riding in
the rear of the little train, busy with
his own reflections, which were evil
identity as bright as the morning it.
self-the forenoon proceeding the
events we have recorded.
His thoughts were wrapt in the
sweet memory of Miriam, who had
wept so bitterly at his departure, and
who, he expected, would smile so
joyously at his return.
"The dear little soul ~ he muir
INJURED, Where is she now 2"
His eyes darkened with tender
sweetness, his lips quivered with the
lnedable 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 9TH
ers society, the tender mutual love
and care that would bless all their
coming days.
He had left her poor adventurer,
to seek his fortune among the mines
OF Idaho. He was returning to her
more than moderately rich man,
with bills OF exchange in his channels
moneybelt of sufficient value to sup
port them both in luxury as long as
they might i've.
1t was not to be wondered at that
his thoughts were pleasant.
Suddenly he was aroused from his
trance-like silence, by the cries of
delight from his companions and bv
the fact that they had checked their
speed.
Looking around HIM quickly, he
beheld the cause of the unusal ex.
element. To the southwark, at no
great distance, small herd of buffa-
loes were grazing lazily, seemingly
not at all alarmed by the near pres
cense of a form;dably enemy.
The wind was blowing from them.
the horses were fresh, and, as he
looked at the tempting game, Hur-
bert felt the spirit Of the hunter
strong within him.
Giving rein TO his horse. he gal
loped along the line to speak to the
lieutenant, but was made halt by
that officer, whose sparkling eyes and
eager demeanor attested to a kind
ling of Nimrod-like zeal.
"What do you say to an hours
sport, Mr.. Earle 2" shouted the lieu
tenant, as he bore down upon his
friend, for Hurbert was a decided ia,
vorlte with every member of the
party.
81 think it would be a downright
shame to turn our backs on such
splendid game" was the quick re-
Spouse. "Who could eat dinner of
salt pork with these fat buffaloes be-
fore US ?'
The lieutenant smiled, glanced up
and down the line, reading eager
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 buffaloes allowed the enemy
to approach quite near, the wind IA
voring the hunters; but at length
began to snuff the air uneasily, to
shake their heads and look for the
cause of their apprehensions.
A moment later they had beheld
the enemy, and, with frightful bel
lowings and mighty tramp had begun
tramp, had begun their wild, mad
flight to the southwark.
The chase was long and it was not
until the bufaloes were upon a spur
Of the Black Hills that they got a
good channce at them. Then thew
brought down several plump young
bufaloes, and dinner speedily became
the watch-word
at is noon, and we'll have dinner"
said the lieutenant observing that
the baggage animals with their bag
pape were aDOrOachin0 aK india .