The New York herald., 1869-03-27
CHAPTER ii.

Ing the oregon emigrant road, among those long
the region Of the Black Hills is distinguished "''
The bulk Of the party consisted OF ten cavalrymen,
under lieutenant who were returning to Fort Lara.
| mie, their post OF duty They were well mounted
| and had several led horses in their tram, loaded
with their provisions and appurtenances Of travel
The balance ofthe party comprised three civilians,
| who had seized the opportunity Of crossing the
mountains under military escort. Two OF these were
who had tired OF the great solitude or been fright
| ened by the Indians, and were now returning east
ward In search OF homes nearer the hauns Of clvili
| Zaton.
| The third civilian was Hubert Earle, the lover OF
| Miriam Dane, the settlers daughter, whom we have
| just left IN such deadly peril.
| lie was a splendid specimen OF American man.
| hood-magnihcentl formed broad-shouldered, deep
horse fiery Mexican IS seed ed with the grace and
At the moment ofhis Introduction to the reader
he was riding in the rear Of the little train, busy
| with his own reflections, which were evidently as
bright as the morning itself-the forenoon preceding
| the events we have recorded
His thoughts were wrapt In the sweet memory Of
| Miriam, VINO had wept sojbittery at his departure,
and who, he expected would smile so j0yousy at his
| return.
..rhe dear little soul % he murmured aloud.
| "Wnere is she nowY"
His eyes darkened with tender sweetness; his lips
quvered with the ineable 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 others society
the tender mutual love ana care that would bless all
He had LETT her poor adventurer, to seek his for.
tune among the mines OF Idaho. He was return
ing 10 her more than moderately rich man, with
bills OF exchange in his chamOs money belt of suisi
cient value TO support them both In luxury as long
as they might 1--we.
IL was not TO be wondered at 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 unusual excitement. To the southwark at no
great distance, small herd Of buffaloes was grazing
lazily, seemingly not at all alarmed by the pres
ence OF formidable enemy.
The wnd was blowing from them, the horses were
fresh, and, as he look at the tempting game Hubert
felt the spirit OF the hunter grow strong within him.
Giving rein 10 his horse, he galloped along the line
to speak to the lieutenant but was met half way by
that onicer, whose sparkling eyes and eager de-
'.What do you say to an hours sport Mr. Earle sn
shouted the lieutenant as he bore down upon mis-
friend, for Hubert was decided favorite with every
member OF the party.
~ think 1t would be downright shame to turn
our backs on such splendid game,n was the quick
response "who could eat dinner OF salt pork
with those fat bufdloes so near usY'
ne sme ganeed @ up and down the
and resolved TO carry out his own and the general
DESIRE
At "a word OF command from him the party set out
at quick gailop for the scene OF action.
The buiraloes allowed the enemy to approach quite
near, the wind favorlng the huuters; but at length
began TO snur the air uneasy to shake their heads,
and 10 look for the cause OF their apprehenslons.
moment late, they had beaeld the enemy, and.
gun their wild, mad nignt TO the southward.
The chase was long one, and 1t was not till the
hunters had run the bulialoes upon spur Of the
Black Hills that they got good chance at them.
They then brought down several plump young buff
ialoes and dinner speedily became the watchword.
at is and Wen have dinner,n said the lieu
tenant observing that the baggage animals with
their drivers were approaching. "Kindle fire.
boys, and We'll have steaks and roasts in abun.
dance.n
While this order was being carried into effect,
Hubert and several others were engaged In survey
ing the scene.
"a lonely and desoate spot said Hubert, thought
fully. 1t looks as II man had never before visited
And no wondcr,r returned Brydges, "since IT'S
i've miles OF the route. What could any man want
here, unless he might be In pursuit OF buffaloes."
There beng no answer to this question. Hubert
proceeded to lnd an excellent grazing spot for his
the shadow OF the hill The lieutenant and por-
tion Of the men followed his example.
Plenty OF low bushes were foand dry enough to
burn, and several fires were soon kindled. The
choicest portions OF the bnfYaloes readily pre-
pared for cooking, and 1t was not long before the
oor OF burning esh was difused the air, four or
i've hungry soldiers serving as cooks.
II was a wild picnic scene on those lonely wids,
and every there enjoyed 1t with true gypsy zest
Suddenly shout from one OF the men who were
stroll ing around arrested the attention OF the Others
cave IN the @ nh, come see The % hole nnner these
bushes. You never saw anything hidden neater In
your ves.n
said one of the I0ungers. 'for my part, I think
more OF something to eat than OF hole IN the
ground"
This sentiment was echoed by the Others but the
inqusitive cave discoverer. nothing daunted, ap-
preached tue nre, took rom II torch. returned to
the butte, parted the bushes, revealing dark aper-
ture In the face OF the rock, and disappeared within
it, his light giving back yellow glare for a second
after he had ceased 10 be seen.
The camp revery went on, the COOKING pro-
gressed, the minutes passed aud Jones did not re-
IN that fellow had found gold mine In there he
wouldn't call one OF us, growled the lounger who
had before spoken. ~ wonder what Jones has
a IAN nv "
He arose lazily distracted stick OF burning wood
for a torch, proceeded TO the cavern entrance and
"Probably,r said Hubert 'rhere's large cavern
under that hill. 1--WE bad time It might pay 10 ex.
plore II. Under the present circumstances I am
ike Brown and prefer my dinner to scientific explo
rations."
the meal seemed to be nearly ready, for the rat
Ting Of lin cups and dishes began TO be heard; the
IIeutenants small camp chest was unpacked and
the shouted 10 the strollers TO dinner
Have Jones and Brown come backy" asked the
lieutenant, as he rose to sitting position and
glanced towards the cavern.
The men replied In the negative.
eco after them, then, King, and hurry them up,-
said the oficer. I'VE must resume the marca after
dinner and cannot anord TO waste time here"
King, a fine young soldier, took o torch and en-.
The dinner was dealt out--hot savory steaks and
roasts--the coffee measured and the meal COM
menced, but none oil the men who had entered the
cave made their appearance
''IIow singular ~ calculated Bridges, testify and
impatientIy "what can keep those men King has
been gone ten minutes. Here, Sergeant Halsey,
hurry those men up ~
The sergeant, brown, strong man, OF middle age,
hestated, and ventufed to staiDmer:-
II beg your pardon, Lieutenant, but think there's
something wrong inside the cave. There's three
men Ia there-all hungry and knowing that dinners
ready. surely they'd come back II they couId Per-
haps there's wild beasts or some strange kind OF
gas that smcthers Fem, or,
"Nonsense, sergeant ~ interrupted the lieutenant,
fr0wning. ~ give you i've minutes TO bring those
men back. Gop'
The sergeanrs face paled. but, without another
word. ne TOOK w torch end entered the cave, dis
appearing from the gaze OF his friends.
The minutes passed. the lieutenant and the men
ate their dinner mechanically, awaiting anxiously
the expected return; vet none OF the four came
back.
The words Of tho sergeant had made deep i'm.