The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1869-03-30

brought down several plump young buff.
aloes, and dinner speedily became the
watchword.
# is noon, and we'll have dinner
said the lieutanant, observing that the
baggage animals with their drivers were
approaching. "Kindle fire, boys, and
we'll have steaks and roasts in abun
lance"
While this order was being carried into
effect, Hubert and several Others were en-
gagged in surveying the scene.
ga lonely and desolate spot" said
Hubert, thoughtfully. at looks rs if man
had never before visited il"
And no WONDER. returned Brydges,
"since it's five miles off the route. What
could any man want here, unless he might
be in pursuit of buffaloes''
There being no answer 10 this question,
Hubert proceeded to find an excellent
grazing spot for his horse, ,cthered him,
and flung himself On the ground in the
o. ladows of the hill The lieutenant aud
portion OF the men followed his example,
Plenty Of low bushes were found dry
enough to burn, and several fires were
soon kindled. The choicest portions Of
the buffaloes were readily prepared for
cooking, and it was not long before the
odor of burning flash was diffused on the
air four or five hungry soldiers serving "a
cooks
II was wild picnic scene on those
lonely wids, and every man there enjoy
ed it with true gypsy zest.
Suddenly shout from one Of the men
who were strolling around, arrested the
attention of the others.
"Hallo, boys!" he cried, I'm blest il
here isn't cave in the hill Come, sec
the hole under these bushes, You never
saw anything hidden ncater in your lives. "
Jones thinks nobody ever saw cave
before, said one of the loungers. For
my part, think more OF something to eat, d,
than Of hole in the ground.
This sentiment was echoed by the others
but the inqui-itvc cave discovercr, nothing
daunted, approached the fire, took from
il n torch. returned TO the butte, parted
the bushes, revealing n lark aperture in
the face of the rock, and disappeared
within it, his light giving back yellow
clare for u second after he had ceased 10
he seen
The camp rcvclry went on, the cooking
progrcs-c |, the minutes passed. and Jones
did not rcappcar.
1T that fellow had found gold mine
in there he wouldn't call one OF IA, growl.
! cl the lounerr who had before spoken,
! wonder what Jones has found. -
| I'll Jest take look, as 'iiRrer isn't quite
ready.
lie arose lazily, al ,tractcd stick ol
burning wood for n iorch proceeded to
the cavern entrance and disappeared
from view,
Probably. said lIcrburt. there. n
large cavern uuder that hill. II we had
time, it might pay to explore it. Under
the present crcum stances, I'm like Brown,
and prefer my dinner TO scientific explor>
Rtions.
The meal seemed to be nearly ready,
for the rafting of tin cups and dish :
BEGAN to be heard the lieutenan,s small
camp chcs' was unpacked, and the cook
shouted Ia the stroller. 10 come To lin
ncr,
Have .Jon,s and Brown come back !,
asked the lieutenant. ~ he rose to st
ting position, and Glanced towards ,hC
cavern.
The men answered in he negative.
Go after them then. KING and hurr,
them up, said the officer. We mu.
resume the march after dinner. and ram
not afford 10 waste lime here
King. fine young soldier, took torch
and entered the cave.
The dinner was dealt oui-hot SAVIOR,
steaks and roasts--the coffee measured, AN,
the meal commenced but none OF the mel
who had entered the cave made ihei
appearance.
"How singular" circulated Brydgcs
testify and impatiently. What can keeI
those men. King has been zone ten minute
Here Sergeant Halsey, hurry those mel
up"
The serg ant, II brown, strong man Z
middle age, he-iiated, and venlnred +
stammer:
II be. your pardon. Lieutenant, bu
think there's something wrong inside lh
cave. There's three men in there IL
hungry and knowing that dinners read,
Surely they'd come back it they coud
Perhaps there's wild beasts, or some sirang
kind OF gas that smothers EN-, Or"
Nonsense, Sergeant interrupted til
,, lieutenant, frowning II give you iy
minutes to bring those men back. Col
The sergcad,s face paled, but, withor
! another word, he took up torch and cr
tered the cave, disappearing from the gar
OF his fricnd4
The minutes passed, the lieutenant an
. the men ate their dinner mechanical,
; awaiting anxiously the expected return
I yet none Of the four came back.
: The words OF the sergeant had made
deep impression on the minds OF his bcare
| !, general gloom fell upon the camp, M
\ the men cast frequent and fearful glan,,
' in the direction of the cavern Even II
lieutenant and Hubert iclt strang
c depression creeping over them whiC
9 neither could resist.
what can be tho n,aiicr'" Mt lcngl
0 demanded tho officer. The sergeants
! trouble, | shoull judge, by ihislons absen'
n There cant he gns i'm tha cave or if so