The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1890-11-06

faltered In his duty, the man whose
sword was never drawn without reason,
never Sheathed without honor-our sol
/ dier guest, Capt. Gordon Noelr
Much affected, II was some minutes
before the captain could respond The
modesty Of the true soldier restrained his
eloquence. He knew not how to thank
them for this most hAttering testimony
Of their confidence and regard; he far
from deserved the lavish praise Of their
honored chairman. II In the past he
had succeeded in winning their esteem
all the more would he Try TO msrit II
now. No soldier could remain In secur-
ity when such desperate deeds called his
comrades to the fray; and a. ho had
ever shared their dangers In the old days
so must he share them now. his heart,
his home, his bride, to part from whom
was bitter trial, he left with them 10
guard and chsrish. Duty called him to
the front, and with to-morrow's sun he
would be on his way. But, II II pleased
God to bear him safely through, he
would return to them, to greet and grasp
each friendly hand AgDin, and meantime
to prove himself worthy the high honor
they had done him.
There was hardly Q dry eye at the
table when the gallant soldier hniGhsd
his few remarks and then took his scat
Besides winning the heart and hand
Of one Of the loveliest Of the Queen Olty's
daughters, the captain has made hosts Of
friends in our midst, and We predict that
when the records Of the campaign are
written no name will shine with brighter
luster than that of Gordon Noel"
This doubtless was delightful reading
to Noel and to Noels relatives. Doubt
less, too, 1t was some comfort to poor
Mabel as she lay pale, anxious, sore at
heart, on the following day, while her
husband and lover-as he undoubtedly
was-sped westward with the fast en-
press But there was Q great deal about
the Chronicles account that would have
ELECTED something more than Q broad
grin from officers who knew Noel well
An entire week had elapsed from the
time that the first tidings were received
to the moment when he finally and most
reluctantly left the Queen City. Ths
first intimation was enough to start
Capt. Lane, despite the fact that his
health was far from restored and that be
was yet by no means strong. he felt
confident that the Indians would bs
Joined by some Of the Chiricahuaa, and
that the campaign would be fierce Aad
stubborn. Telegraphing TO the regi-
mental adjutant and the general COM
manding the department that he intend
ed to start at once, and asking TO bs
notified en- route where he could most
speedily join the troop. hs was on his
way within six hours.
That very night, although no mention
was made Of this in The Chronicle 40
count, Capt Noel received o dispatch
from the adjutant generals once ct
Washington briefly 10 this effect: "You
become captain Of K company, vice Raw
lins, murdered by Apaches. Hold your
self In readiness to turn over the rendez-
vous and join your regiment without do
lay" No news could have been more
unwelcome. Despite his many faults
there was no question that Gordon Noel
was very much In love with his wife;
but he never had been In love with the
active part Of his profession. That
night he telegraphed 10 relatives who
had stood by him in the past, and wrote
urgent and pleading letter. informing
them that his wif0s health was In 20
delicate . state that II he were combelled
at this moment to leave her and 20 upon
perilous duty In the Apache country
there was no telling what might bo the
effect upon her. II possible thing, h0
urged that there should be Q delay Of Q
fortnight. He calculated that BY that
time the Indians would bo either safe
across the Mexican border or whipped
back to the reservation; then be could
60 out and join with . flourish Of trum-
pets and no possible danger. But Q new
King reigned In the war department., who
knew Joseph rather than know him not
In some way the honorable ssorstaEy
had become acquainted with The provi-
Gus history Of Capt. No0lb campaign
services, and, though the influential gen
tlemGn referred 10 made prompt and elo-
quent appeal, they met BY courteous
but positive denial. EVERY man who
was worth his salt" said the secretary,
''should be with his regiment now." An
officer was designated to proceed At once
10 the Queen City and take over NoOl1
rendezvous and property, and peremp-
tory orders were sent to him to start
without delay and TO notify the depart
ment by telegraph Of the date Of his do
parture-a most unusual and stringent
proceeding. This correspondence Noal
never mentioned TO anybody at the time,
and 1t was known only to the ohlcial
records for some time afterward. Az
soon as he found that 60 he must, he do
tated to his clerk letter In which, gal
liant soldier that he was, he informed the
adjutant general that the news from All
zona had now convinced him that IN
outbreak Of alarming dimensions had
taken place, and ho begged that he might
be relieved % ct his own request and
permitted to join his comrades IN the
field. To this no reply was sent, q the
order directing him 10 proceed had a.
ready been issued. Perhaps Q grim mnilo
played about the mustached Hps Of that
functionary when he read this spirited
epistle.
Noel left the Queen City . hsvo in the
eyes Of the populacs. He was Just dx
days behind Lane, Of Whose movements
the Queen City had no information
whatever.
And now came an odd piece Of luck-
Q alp In the fortunes Of war. Tho cav
airy stationed In Arizona were % faE
from the reservation at the time that
they had long and difacult marches 10