Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1869-03-22

ton OF her conduct, and then he swept on to
the rescue Of his wife, his soul torn by such
emotions as are seldom brought to battle to-
gether.
And Miriam, throwing herself fiat upon the
ground, remained alone upon the plain, in
the very path of a score Of mounted Indians,
who were galloping towards her with the
swift iness of the wind!
CHAPTER II.
A CURIOUS AND STARTLING MYSTERY,
Skirting the Black Hills, forty miles west Of
Fort Laramie, party Of horsemen were riding
They had left Fort Brldger eight days before,
taking the route of the North Platte, and were
now following the Oregon emigrant road,
among those long ridges, dry beds Of river, and
sterile plains, by which the region of the Black
Hills is distinguished.
The bulk Of the party consisted Of ten caval.
rymen. under lieutenant, who were return
ing TO Fort Laramie, their post Of duty. They
We're well mounted, and had several led horses
in their train, loaded with their previsions and
appurtenaDces of travel.
The balance of the party comprised three
civilians, who had seized the opportunity of
crossing the mountains under military escort
Two OF these were emigrants who had settled
near Fort Bridger, but who had tired of the
great solitude. or been frightened by the Indi-
ans, and were now returning eastward in
search Of homes nearer the haunts OF civiliza-
ton.
The third civilian was Hubert Earle the
lover of Miriam Dane, the settlers daughter,
whom we have just left in such deadly peril.
U
manhood, magai6e.ntly formed, broad shoul.
dered, deep cbested as vigorous as an athlete,
and rode his horse. fiery Mexican steed, with
the grace and ease of q Centaur-
AT the moment of bis 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 event, We have re-
corded.
His thoughts were wrapt in the sweet mem.
Ory of Miriam, who had wept so bitterly at his
del naT W hn ho TOD a
% Joyously at his return.
.1Ie dear little QUIZ he murmured aloud.
Where Is she now"
HIS eyes uarkened with tender sweetness his
lips quivered with the ineffable love that food
ed his being " Ith a happiness akin to pain. He
pictured their meeting, the pretty home t1ry
would share together. the years they would
sp"pd ia ach others society, the tender m utual
love and care that would bless all their coming
daNs.
He had lff her poor adventurer, to seek his
fortune smong TIE mines OF Idaho. He was Ie-
'urning TO her a more than moderately rich
nan, with bills Of exchange in his chamois
money belt Of sufficient value TO support them
both IN luxury as long al they might live.
1t was not to be wondered at that his thoughts
weie pleasant
Suddenly he was aroused from his trance.
IKE silence, by cries Of delight from his com.
Panions, ana by tine fact that they had checked
,h-ir speed.
Loo king around him quickly, he beheld the
cause OF the unusual excitement. To the south :
ward, at no great distance, a small herd of buf.
Ialoes was grazing lazily. seemingly not at all
alarmed by the near presence OF a formidable
enemy.
The wind was blowing from them, the horses
were fresh, and, rs he looked at the tempting &
game, Hubert felt the spirit Of the hunter grow
Giving rein to his horse, he galloped along
the line TO speak to the lieutenant, but was met
hslt way by that officer, whose sparkling eyes
and eager demeanor attested TO kindling OF
What do you say to an hours sport, Mr.
Earle ~ shouted the lieutenant, as he bore
oown upon his friend, for Hubert was q
detidsd favorite with every MEMBER Of the
party.
turn our backs on such splendid game, was
the quick response. .sWho could eat a dinner
OF salt pork, with those tat buffaloes so near
US ~
The Lieutenant smiled, glanced up and down
the line, reading eager longing IN the face Of his
men and resolved to carry out his own and the
general d-sire.
Att word of command from him. the party
set out at quick gallop for the scene Of action
The bunaloes allowed the enemy to approach b
quite near. the wind favoring the hunters; bu,
at Iengtn began 10 snuff the air uneasily, 70
shake their heads, and TO look for the cause OF
their spprehensions.
IA moment later they had beheld the enemy,
and, with frightful teliowiogs and mighty
tr"mr- h"h begun their wild. mad fight TO the
Tne cuase was q long one; and il was not till
! he hunters had run tine buffaloes upon spur
y
| At them. They then brought down several
| plump young buffaloes, and dinner speedily
became the wa chword.
| eIt is noon, and we'll have dinner said the
| heutenan', Observing that the baggage animals
with their drivers were approaching. "kiLdle
fire, boys, and well have steaks and rossts
in abundance"
While this order was being carried into effect
Hubert and several others were engaged in
| surveying the scene.
"a lonely and desolate spot" said Hubert
Sfr.llx IN lankxa had
| before visited it,"
"And no wonder" returned Brydges, 'ssince
( it's FIVE miles OFF the route What could any
| man want here, unless he might De In pursuit
There being TO answer to this question, Hu.
| bert proceeded 10 find an excellent grazing
SD, for his horse, tethered him, and III ung him
| sef on the ground IN the shadow OF the hill
Toe lieutenant and PARTON OF the men follow
| ed his example.
| to burn, and several fires were soon kindled
The chOicest portions OF the ounal0es were
| readily prep lred for osking, aud II was moi
| lone before the odor OF burning flesh was DIFF
| fused on the air; four or nve hungry sololers
H. "A a wild picnic scene on those lonely
wiids, and every man there enjoyed II with
Suodenly q shout from one of the men W he
| uere stroIiing around, arrested the attention o
1 the others.
isl Z a cave In the hill, Come, see the hole IN
| der these bushes You never saw anything
| hidden neater in your 1--we"
1 .Jopes thinks nobody ever saw cave De.
FORE" said one of the lourGers. "for my pait
| think more Of something - eat, than Of q hole
IN the ground
/ This sentiment was echoed by the others on
| the inq uisitive cave discoverer, nothing daunt
| ed, approsched the nre, took from it torch
| returned to the butte, parted the bushes, re
1 yealins q dark aperture IN the face OF the rock
1 and disappeared within IL, his light givint
| back a yellow glare FOR second after ne na<
ceased ~ be seen.
/ The camp revrlry went on. the cooking pro
crossed, the minutes passed, and Jones did no
i Isappsar. :.
| here be vouIdnT call one Of u.s." growied tn