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

sir. came slowly, because my horse
was worn out, and because Capt. Lane
thought that / would meet the troop
very much nearer the pass. It's more
than fifteen miles, l reckon"
Had the attack begun before you
leftg"
"Yes, sir; and could hear the shots
as came out Of the pass-hear them dis
tinctly."
"May l inquire what the news is, cap
tainT said Mr.. Mason, riding up to his
side.
"well," was the reply, "Lane writes
that he has headed the Apaches, and that
he Is Just moving in to the attack"
"Will you permit me to sec the note,
Eir" said Mason, trembling with exas-
peration at the Indifferent manner In
which It was received
Noel hesitated: "Presently-presently
Mr.. Mason. Wen move forward at
trot, now"
Sergt. Luce reined about, and, riding
beside the first sergeant Of < troop, told
him In low tones Of the adventures Of
the previous day and night, and the fact
that the Apaches were there just north
Of the pass and in complete force. The
result seemed to be, as the word was
passed among the men, to increase the
gait to such an extent that they crowded
upon the leaders, and Noel, time and
again, threw up his hand and warned
the men not to ride over the heels Of his
horse.
Seven O'Clock came, and still they had
not got beyond the Pyramids. Eight
o'clock, and they were not In sight Of
the pass. Nine o'clock, and still the
gorge was not in view. It was not until
nearly ten that the massive gateway
seemed to open before them, and then,
far to the front, their eager ears could
catch the sound Of very sharp and rapid
firing.
my God" said Mason, with irrepres-
sible excitement, there's no question
about it., captain, Lanes surrounded
therei For heavens sake, sir, let's get
ahead to his support"
ride forward, sergeant" said Noel
to Luce, "and show US the shortest way
you know to where Capt. Lane has cor
raled his horses-I don't like the idea Of
entering that pass in column, Mr.. Mason.
The only safe way to do it will be to dis
mount and throw line of slfirmishers
ahead. II Lane is surrounded the
Apaches undoubtedly will open fire on
Us as we pass through"
Suppose they do, sir; we've got men
enough to drive them back. What we
want is to get through there as quickly
as possible"
But Noel shook his head, and, forming
line to the front at a trot, moved for
ward few hundred yards, and then, to
the intense disgust of Mr.. Mason, ordered
the first platoon dismounted and pushed
ahead as slEirmishers Compelled to
leave their horses with number four Of
each set, the other troopers, sullenly, but
In disciplined silence, advanced afoot MP
the gentle slope which led to the heights
on the right Of the gorge.
Not a shot impeded their advance; not
Q sound told them that they were even
watched. But far up through the pass
itself the sound Of sharp firing continued,
and every now and then shrin yell In
dicated that the Apaches were evidently
having the best Of 1t.
Again Mason rode to his captain. ~
beg you, sir" he said, ito let me take
my platoon, or the other one, and charge
through there. 1t isn't possible that
they can knock more than one or two
Of Us out Of the saddle; and II you fol-
low with the rest Of the men they can
easily be taken cere Of" But Noel this
time rebuked him.
"Mr. Mason, have had too much Of
your interference" he said, "and / will
tolerate no more. am In command Of
this troop, sir, and am responsible for
its proper conduct"
And Mason, rebuffed, fell back with
out further word.
The pass was reached, and still not 0
shot had been fired. Over the low ridge
the dismounted troopers went, and not
an Apache was in sight. Then at last 1t
became evident that to cross the stream
they would have to ford; and then the
''recall" was sounded, the horses were
run rapidly forward to the slirmish line,
the men swung into saddle, the rear
platoon closed on the one In front, and
cautiously, with Mason leading and Noel
hanging back little as though TO direct
the march Of his column, the troop
passed through the river and came out
on the other side. The moment they
reached the bank Mason struck q trot
without any orders and the men fol-
lowed him.
Noel hastened forward, shouting out,
"Walk, walk" But, finding that they
either did not or would not hear him, he
galloped in front Of the troop and stern
ly ordered the leaders to decrease their
gait and not again to take the trot unless
he gave the command
Just at this minute, from the heights
to the right and left, half . dozen shots
were fired in quick succession; trooper
riding beside the first sergeant threw up
his arms, with the sudden cry: "My GodI
I've got itT" and fell back from the sad
die. Noel at the same instant felt 0
twinge along his left arm, and, wheeling
his horse about, shouted: '"To the rearl
to the reari We're ambushedr And,
despite the ra1lying cry Of Mason and
the entreaties Of the guide, the men,
taking the cue from their leader, reined
to the right and left about and went
Gathering out Of the pass
More shots came from the Apaches,
some aimed at the fleeing troop and
others at the little group Of men that re-
manned behind, for the poor fellow who
had been shot through the breast lay IN
sensible by the side Of the stream, and
would have been abandoned to his tate