The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1890-11-20

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"For heavens sake, ctr, let's get ahead to
hts support"
Meantime, where are the looked for
supports2 Lane, with wearied horses,
had made the march from the railway
station to the pass in a little over four
teen hours. It was $50 when he started
and s15 when he unsaddled among the
roclrs. He had come through the blazing
sunshine of the long June day; some
times at the trot, sometimes at the lope,
ofttimes dismounting and leading when
crossing ridges or ravines. He was still
pale and weak from his long illness, and
suffering from sorrow that had robbed
him Of all the buoyancy he had ever
possessed. But the sense Of duty was as
strong as ever, and the soldier spirit
triumphed over the ills Of the flesh.
Noel, starting at 4:45 p. m. with horses
and men fresh and eager, with q guide
who knew every inch Of the way, and
the bright starlight to cheer his COM
rades, could reasonably be expected to
cover the same ground in the same time;
every old cavalryman knows that horses
travel better by night than by day. By
good rights he and his men should be at
the pass at least an hour before the time
Get by Lane. 1t was only week before
that the captain had declared at the
Queen City that he had never felt so
aft" in his life, and campaign would
Just suit him. Things seemed to have q
different color, however, as he watched
the going down Of the sun behind the
distant Peloncillos. The words Of the
young infantry adjutant kept recurring
to him, and he knew of old that when
Lane started after Indians he was "dead
sure to get EN-" as Mr.. Mason was good
enough to remind him.
Twice before sunset the guide had
ventured to suggest quicker gait, but
Noel refused, saying that he did not
mean to get his horses to the scene worn
out and unfit for pursuit. Mr.. Mason,
who heard this, begged to remind the
captain that pursuit was not the object;
they were expected to get there in time
to help Lane head of the attempt at fur
ther fight, and to hold the Apaches,
wherever met, until the pursuing force
could reach them from the north and
hem them in. Noel ranked Mason only
Q few hles, and knew well that all the
regiment would side with his subaltern;
% he was forced to o show Of cordiality
and consideration. He rode by the leu
tenants side, assuring him Of the sense
Of strength it gave him to have with him
man Of such experience. "For your
aAke, Mason, l wish / had been twelve
hours later, % that you could have had
the glory Of this thing to yourself; but
you know I couldn't stand 1t. Ihad to
pull wires like sin TO get relieved, as It
was. Old Hudson, the head Of the re-
cruiting service, Just swore he wouldn't
let me 60, because had had good luck
In the class and number Of the recruits !
sent him. Personally, too, I'm In no
shape to ride. See how fat I've grown"
Mason saw, but said q fifty mile ride
ought not to stagger any cavalryman,
hard or soft, and made no reply what
ever to the captains account Of how he
succeeded In getting relieved. he didn't
believe . word Of 1t.
Night came on and found them still
marching at q steady walk. Halts for
rest, too, had been frequently ordered,
and at last Mason could stand 1t no Ion
ger. After repeated looks at his watch
he had burst out with an earnest appeal:
"Capt. Noel, wen never get there in
time at this rate. Surely, sir, the orders
you got from the general must be differ
emit from those that came to the post.
They said make all speed, lose not mo-
ment. Did not yours say so, too?"
"The general knew very well that
had marched cavalry too often not to
understand just how to get there in
time" was Noel's stately reply; and,
though chatting inwardly, Mason was
compelled to silence. Ten o'clock came,
and still II was no better. Then both the
lieutenant and the guide, after . mo-
ment's consultation during a rest, ap-
preached the captain and begged him to
increase the gait; and when they mount
ed, the command did, for while, move
on at 4 jog, which Mason would fain
have increased to the lope, but Noel in
terposed. Midnight, and more rests,
found them fully ten miles behind the
point where the guide and lieutDant
had planned to be. Even the men had
begun TO murmur among themselves,
end to contrast the captains spiritless
advance with Mr.. Masons lively meth
DDS. Two O'Clock, and the Pyramid
range was still far away. Daybreak
came, and Mason was nearly mad with
misery, the guide suIlen and disgusted
Broad dAyhght-6 o'clock-and here at
last were the Pyramid buttes at their
night front, and, coming toward them
On the trail, . single horseman. "It is
asrgt Luce" said some Of the foremost
tEoopers.
And Luce had Q note, which he handed
b Lieut.. Macon; but that gentleman
Ihook his head and indicated Noel The
eHptain took II In silence, opened u,
glanced over the contents, changed
color, - all could see. and then inquired;
"How far Is 1t, ssrgeantg
ara 1900 - 0NAaog. ,,,Sf.. A~r,-v, -.