The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1869-03-25
CHAPTER III.
A CURIOUS AND STARTLING MYs'

CHAPTER ii. ft f,s
CURIOUS AND STARTLING MYSTERY!
skirtiDg the Black Hills. forty miles west of
Fort Laramie, party Of horsemen were riding
eastward. 1000 eIr
They had left Fort Bridger eight days before,
taking the route of the North Platte. and were
now following the Oregon emigrsnt road. among
those long ridges dry beds OF rivers, and sterile
plains, by which the region of the Black Hills is
distinguished.
The bulk of the party consisted of ten cavalry
men, under lieutenant, who were returning to
Fort Laramie, their post of duty. They we're well
mounted, and bad several led horses ia their tran
loaded with their provisions and sppurtenances of
travel.
The balance of the party comprised three civil
iaDs. who had seized the opportunity Of crossing
the mountains under military escort. Two of these
were emigrsnts who had settled near Fort Bridger
but who had tired of the great solitude, or been
frightened by the Indians, and were now returning
civilization.
The third cvilisn was Hubert Earle, the lover Of
Miriam Dane. the settlers daughter, whom we
have just left 10 such deadly peril.
BE was a splendid specimen of American man.
hood, magnincently formed, broad shoudered.
deep-chested, as vigorous as an athlete, and rode
bis horse. fiery Mexican steed. with the grace
and ease Of Centaur.
At the moment OF his 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 prece.
ding the events we have recorded.
His thoughts were wrapt in the sweet memory
of Miriam. who had wept so bitterly At his depsr.
ously at bis return.
The dear little SOUL" he murmured aloud.
"Where is she nowg' .t urf
bis eyes darkened with tender sweetness his
lips quivered with the ine1able love that flooded
his being with happiness akin to pain. He pic.
tured their meeting. the pretty home they would
share together, the years they would spend in
each other 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 re.
turning 10 her a more than moderately rich man.
with bills Of exchange in his chamos none belt
OF sufficient value TO support them both in luxury
as long as they might live.
1t was not 10 be wondered at that his thouFhts
were pleasant.
Suddenly he was aroused from his trance.like
silence by cries of delight from his companions
and BY The tact that they had checked their
speed.
Looking around him quickly, he beheld the
cause of the unusual excitement To the south
ward, at no great distance, a small herd of bufa-
loes was grazing lazily. seemingly not at all
enemy.
The wind was blowing from them, the horses
were fresh, aud he looked at the tempting
game. Hubert felt the spirit of the hunter grow
strong within him.
Giving rein to his horse he galoped along the
line to speak to the lieutenant. but was met half
way by that officer, whose sparkling eyes and
eager demeanor attested TO kindling Of Nimrod-
Ike zeal.
'What do you say to an hours sport Mr..
Earle 2" shouted the lieutenant, as he bore down
upon his friend. for Hubert was decided fayorite
with every member OF the party. fHt
81 think il would be downright shame to turn
our backs on such splendid game" was the quick
rnnd n a rnf oo1f nrl
with those fat bu1aloes so near usl" fil
The lieutenant smiled, glanced up and down the
line, reading eager longing the faces of mis- 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 &C.
ton.
The buifsloes allowed the enemy to approach
quite near, the wind favoriDg the hunters, but at
length began TO snuff the air unessily, to shake
their heads and TO look for the cause Of their ap
prebepsions
moment later they had behed the enemy
and, with frighttul bellowings and mighty tramp
bad begun their wild, mad fight to the south.
ward.
The chase was long one, and It was not till
the hunters had run the bufsloes upon q spur OF
the Black Hills that they got good chance at
them. They then brought down several plump
young bufaloes, and dinner speedily became the
watchword.
1T is noon, and well have dinner,v said the
lieutenant, observing that The baggage animals,
with their drivers, were approaching. 50 Kinde
fire, boys, and Wen have steaks and roasts in
abundance"
While this order was being carried into effect,
Hubert and several Others were engaged In sur
Ak ioo a ' and desolate spot,r said Hubert
tboughtfully. % II looks as If man had never be-
fore visited it, ,l.- r.f al. .r s
''And no Worder,r returned Bridges. "since
ii's five miles of the route. What could any man
want here, unless he might be In pursuit Of but
faloes ~
There being no answer to this question, Hubert
proceeded to find an excellent grazing spot for
his horse, tetbered him. and flung himself on the
ground ia the shadow of the hill. The lieutenant
and portion Of the men followed his example.
Plenty Of low bushes we're found dry enough to
burn, and several 6res were soon kindled. The
choicest portions OF the bualoes were readily pre-.
pared for cooking, and it was not long before the
odor OF burning flesh was diffused on the air four
or i've hungry soldiers serving as cooks.
1t was wild picnic scene on those lonely wids.
and every man there enjoyed 1t with true gpsy
Suddenly a shout from one of the men who
were stroiling around, arrested the attention Of
the others.
Halo. boys !" be cried. "rm bIsst IL here
isn't cave in the bill! Come, see the hole un-
Ger these bushes. You never saw anything hid
den heater in your lives" ra : 800
Jones thinks nobody ever saw cave before,v
said one Of the loungers. Is For my part, think
more Of something to eat than hole in the
ground"
This sentiment was echoud by the others, bat
the inquisltive cave dscoverer, nothing dsunted,
approached the fire, took from 1t torch. returned
to the butte. parted the bushes, revealing dark
aperture IN the face OF the rock and disappeared
within Il. his light giving back yellow glare for
q second after be had ceased TO be seen.
The camp revelry went on, the cooking pro-
crossed, the minutes passed and Jones did not re-