North Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1867-current, 1869-03-31

tuC South"oiuS az Ho SaSSS N.o"uSSS
small herd of buffaloes were hrazing lazily
seemingly not ut 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 attest
ed to kindling of Nimrod>like zeal.
"What do you think to an hours sport
MIR. Earl p shouted the lieutenant, rs he
bore down upon his friend, for Huber,
was decided favorite with every membe,
Of the party.
~ think it would be downr:g ght shame
to turn our backs on such splendid game,
was the quick response. "Who could eal
dinner Of salt pork, with those fat buffa
loes so near us?'
The lieutenant smiled, glanced up md
down the line, reading eager longing 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 q quick gallop for the
scene Of action.
The buffaloes allowed the enemy to ap.
proach quite near, the wind favoring the
hunters but Mt length began to snuff the
air unensily, to shake their heads, and to
look for the cause of their aoprehensions.
A moment later they had beheld the en-
envy, and, with frighttul bcllowings and
mighty tramp, had begun their wild, mad
iuht to tho son nthVnrd
The chase was long one and it was
not till the hunters had run the butfaloes
upon spur of the Black Hills that they
got good chance ut them. They then
brought down several plump young buifa-
locs, and dinner speedily became the
watchword.
at is loon, and we'll have dinner
SAID the lieutenant, observing that the bag
gage animals with their drivers were ap-
proac!ing. KindIe fire, boys. and
well have steaks and roasts in abundance ~
While this order was being carried into
effect, Hubert and several others We're en-
gagged in surveying the scene.
A lonely and desolate spot said Uu>
bert, thouyltfully. at looks as if man
had never before visited it,
-" And no WONDER" returned Bridges,
" since it's five miles off the route. What
could any man want here. unless he might
be in pursuit of buffaIues?'
There being no answer to this question,
Hubert proceeded to find an excellent
grazing spot for his horse, .ethcred him.
and flung himself on the ground in the
shadow of the hill. The Lieutenant and a
portion of the men followed his example.
Plenty Of low bushes were found dry
enough to burn. and several fires were
soon kind:cd. The choicest portions of
the butiaioes were readily prepared for
cooking, and it was not hong before the
odor oi burning flesh was ditfused on the
air; four or five hungry soldiers serving
as cooks.
1t was a wild picnic scene on those
lonely wi!ds, and every man there enjoyed
it with true gypsy zest.
Suddenly shout from enc of the men
who were str ,llng around, arrested the
attention Of the others.
''iIalln, boys - he cried. 'Tm blessed
if here isn't cave in the hill Come and
see the hole under these bushes. You
never saw anything hidden neater in your
lIves.'
Jones thinks nobody ever saw cave
before said one Of the loun-ers. "Foi
nay part, think more of something to eat
than a hole in the ground"
This sentiment was echoed by the others,
but the inuustivc cave discoverer, nothing
daunted, approached the fire, took from II
IL torch, returned to the butte, parted the
bushes, revealing dark aperture in the
face Of the rock, and disappeared within it.
his light giving back a yellow glare for I;
second after he had ceased to be seen.
The camp revelry went on, the cooking g
progressed, the minutes passed, and Jones
did not reappear.
IF that fellow had found gold mine
in there he wouldn't call on one of US, y
growled the lounser who had before spok.
en-. 81 wonder what Jores has found
Ill Jest take look, as dinner ism t ready
lie arose lazily, abstracted stick oi
burning wood for torch, proceeded t.
the western entrance, and disappeared
from view.
"Probably," said Hubert, "there's 6
larger cavern under that hill. If we had
time, it might pay to explore it. Under
the present circumstances, l am like
Brown, and prefer my dinner to scientific
explorations
The meal seemed to be nearly ready. fol
the rafting Of tin cups and dishes bega,
to be heard the lieutenants small camp
chest was unpacked, and the cook shoutct
to the strolers to come to dinner.
"Have Jones and Brown come back 2
asked the lieutenant, as he arose to sit
ting position, and glanced toward th'
cavern.
The men replied in the negative.
$50 after them, King. and hurry then
up" said the officer. 1--WE must reSum
the march after dinner, and cannot atlor'
to waste time here
King. IA fine young soldier, took a torch
and entered the cave.
| The dinner was dealt out--hot SAVIOR,
steaks and roasts-the coffee measured
and the meal commenced, but non OF tn
men who had entered the cave made thei
appearance!
"How singular - CALCULATED Brydgss
testify and impatlently. "What can kee
those men? King has been gone tel
minutes. Here, Seryt. Ha'sey. hurr,
those men up!'
The sergeant, brown, strong man
middle age, hesitated, and yenturcd t
stammer:
Il beg your pardon, lieutenant, but
think there's something wrong inside th
cave. There's three men in there-al
hungry, and knowing that dinners ready
Surely they'd come back if they could
Perhaps there's wild beasts, or som
strange kind Of gas that smothers 'em, or
"Nonsense, sergeantv' Interrupted tn
lieutenant, irowning. IL give you fiv
minutes to bring those men back. Go!
The sergeant's face paled. but. witbou
another word, he took up torch and en-
tered the cave, disappearing from the gaz
of his friends.
The minutes passed, the lieutenant an
his men ate their dinner mechanically
awaiting anxiously the expected return