The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1890-09-19

~ -
"For hcnren's sake, sir, let's get ahead 10
his support"
Meantime, where are the looked for
supports? Lane, with wearied horses,
had made the march from the railway
station to the pass in alittle over four
teen hours. 1t was $50 when he started
and S:15 when he unsaddled among tho
rocks. 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 ut 4:45 p. IN. with horses
and men fresh and eager, with a 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
rood rights he and his men should be at
the pass at least an hour before the time
set by Lane. 1t was only week before
that the Captain had declared at the
Queen City that he had never felt so
eft" in his life, and a campaign would
Just suit him. Things seemed to have
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 aftc. 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 off the attempt at fur
ther fight, and to hold the Apaches
wherever met, until the pursuing force
could reach them from the north ano
hem them in. Noel ranked Mason only
a few files, and knew well that all the
regiment would side with his subaltern
so he was forced to a show of cordially
and consideration. He rode by the lieu
tenants side, assuring him of the sense
of strength it gave him to have with hin
%f
sake, Mason, / wish l had been twelve
hours later, so that you could have hat
the glory of this thing to yourself; bu
YOU know | couldn't stand it. had tt
pull wires like sin to get relieved, as i
was. Old Hudson, the head of the re
cruiting service, just swore he wouldn'
let me go, because had had good lucl
in the class and number of the recruits
sent him. Personally, too, I'm III n
shape to ride See how fat I've grown!
Mason saw, but said fifty mile rid
ought not to stagger any cavalrymar
hard or soft, and made no reply what
ever to the captains account OF how h
succeeded in getting relieved. He didn'
believe word Of it.
Night came on and found them sti
marching at a steady walk. Halts fo
rest, too. had been frequently ordered
and at last Mason could stand it no lor
ger. After repeated looks at his watc
he had burst out with an earnest appea
Capt. Noel, we'll never get there
time at this rate. Surely, sir, the order
Won got from the general must be diffel
emit from those that came to the pos
They said make all speed, lose not mt
ment. Did not yours say so, too?"
"The general knew very well that
had marched cavalry too often not
understand just how to get there
II time" was Noel's stately reply; ant
though chatting inwardly, Mason w;
compelled to silence. Ten o'clock cam
and still it was no better. Then both IL
lieutenant and the guide, after a M
ment's consultation during rest, a
preached the captain and begged him
increase the gait; and when they noun
ed, the command did, for while, mo-
on at jog, which Mason would fat
have increased to the lope, but Noel II
terposed. Midnight, and more rest
found them fully ten miles behind Il
point where the guide and lieutena
had planned to be. Even the men III
begun to murmur among themselve
and to contrast the captains spiritle
advance with Mr.. Mason's lively met
dds. Two o'clock. and the Pyram
range was still far away. Daybre
came, and Mason was nearly mad wi
misery, the guide sullen and disguise
Broad daylight-6 o'clock-and here
last were the Pyramid buttes at the
right front, and, coming toward the
ON the trail, q single horseman. ut
Sergt. Luce" said some of the foremc
troopers.
- And Luce had note, which he hand
to Lieut.. Mason; but that gentlem
shook his head and indicated Noel. I
captain took it in silence, opened
GLANCED over the contents. chang