Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1890-08-31


For hCarcn'S sake, sir, let's get ahead to
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 little over four
teen hours. 1t was $50 when he started
and SIS when he unSaddled among the
rocks. He had come through the blaz-
ing sunshine of the long June day:
sometimes at the trot, sometimes at the
lope, ofttimes dismounting and leading
when crossing ridges and ravineS. He was
still pale and weak from his long illness.
and suffering from n 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. IN. with horses
and men fresh and eager, with 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 set by Lane. II was only week
before that the Captain had declared at
the Queen City that he had never felt so
fit in his life, and campaign would
just suit him. Things seemed to have
Il different color, however, rs he watch
ed the going down of the sun behind the
distant PelOncilos. 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 a 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 OBJ
ject; they were expected to get there in
time to help Lane hold of the attempt
AT further flight, aud to hold the
ApacheS, wherever met, until the pur-
suing force could reach them from the
north and hem them in. Noel ranked
Mason only few files, and knew well
that all the regiment would side with
his Subaltern; so he was forced
to show of cordially and
consideration. He rode by the
lieutenant'S side, assuring him of the
sense of strength it gave him to have
with him u man of such experience.
"For your sake, Mason, | wish | had
been twelve hours later, so that you
could have had the glory Of this thing
to yourself; but you know / couldn't
stand il. | had to pull wires like sin to
get relieved, as it was. Old Hudson,
the head of the recruiting service, just
Swore he wouldn't let me go, because l
had had good luck in the class and num-
Der of the recruits | sent him. Person
ally. too, I'm in no shape to ride. See
how fat I've grown.
Mason saw, but said a 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 i'm getting relieved. He didn't
believe word of ii.
Night came on and found them still
AT steady walk. Hats for
rest. too. were frequently ordered, and
at last Mason could stand ii no longer.
After repeated looks at his watch he
burst out with an earnest appeal:
Capt. Noel, wen never get there in
time mt this rate. Surely. sir, the or
ders you got from the general must be
different from thoseothat came to the
post. They said make all speed, lose
not Il moment. 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 NoelS stately reply; and,
though chatting inwardly, Mason was
to silence. Ten o'clock
came, and still it was no better. Then
both the lieutenant and the guide,
after moments consultation during
a rest. approached the captain and
begged him to increase the gait, and
when they mounted the command
did for Il while move on at a jog,
which Mason would fain have increased
to the lope. but Noel interpOsed. Mid
night and more rests fond them fully
ten miles behind the point where the
guide and lieutenant had planned to be.
Even the men begun TO murmur among
themselves and to contrast the captains
SpiriteSS advance with Mr.. MaSon'S
lively methods. Two o'clock and the
Pyramid range was still far away. Day
break came, and Mason was nearly mad
with misery, the guide Sullen
and Disguised. Broad daylight
6 o'clock-and here at last were the Pyr-
amid butteS at their right front, ard
coming toward them on the trail single
horseman. 1T is Sergeant Luce, said
some of the foremost troopers.
And Luce had n note, which he hand
ed to Lieut. Mason; but that gentleman
shook his head and indicated Noel. The
captain took it in silence, opened 1t,
glanced over the contents, changed
color. as all could see, and then inquired;
"How far is it Sergeant?'
"It must be fifteen miles from here, |
sir. came slowly, because my horse |
vas worn out, and because Capt. Lane |
thought that | would meet the troop |
,cry much nearer the pass. It's more |
han fifteen miles, reckon.
And the attack begun before you
eft?"
"Yes. sir; and l could hear the shots
IS | came out of the pasS-hear them
MAY 1 inquire what the news is,
.aptain?" said Mr.. Mason, riding up to
lis side.
WELL" was the reply, "Lane writes
hat he has headed the ApacheS, and
hat he is Just moving in to the at
ack.'
"Will you permit me to see the note
ir?" said MssOn, trembling with eXas-
,eration at the Indifferent manner IN
which it was received.
Noel hesitated: acknowledgements