San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1890-08-16

JAAetJ btAC captain llltA NtEEltiFss eL tLtF
Queen City that he had nevcr felt so
eft in his life, and campaign would
just suit him. Things seemed to have a
different color, however, as ne watched
the going down of the sun behi4d the
distant PelOncillOs. The word 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 hnHrl ~. heggaa ~ rnr1ind The
capCaln Iuat p,..s,.., was Lot 49, g.. ct;
they were expected to get there in sAans
to help Lane head off the attempt at fur
Their 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
a few files, and knew well that all the
regiment would side with his subaltern;
SO he was forced to show of cordiality
and consideration. He rode by the lieu
tenants side, assuring him of the sense
of strength it gave him to have with him
a man of such experience. For your
sake, Mason, wish had been twelve
hours later, 50 that you could have had
the glory of this thing to yourself: but
you know couldn't stand it. had 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 go. 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 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 it.
Night came on and found them still
marching at a steady walk. Halts for
rest, too, had been frequently ordered,
and at last Mason could stand it no lon
ger. After repeated looks at his watch
he had burst out with an earnest appeal:
Capt. Noel, We'll never get there in
time at this rate. Surely, sir, the'orders
you got from the general must be differ
ent from those that came to the post.
They said make all speed, lose not a mo-
ment Did not yours say 50, too?'
The general knew very well that
had marched cavalry too often not to
understand just how to get there in
time" was Noers stately reply; and,
though chatting inwardly, Mason was
compelled to silence. Ten o'clock came,
and still it was no better Then both the
lieutenant and the guide, after a 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 IA 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 lieutenant
had planned to be. Even the men had
begun to murmur among themselves,
and 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 sullen and disguised.
Broad daylight o'clOck-and here at .
last were the Pyramid buttes at their
right front, and, coming toward them
on the trail a single horseman. st is
Sergt. Luce" said some of the foremost
troopers.
Apd Luce had note, which he handed
to Lieut. Mason; but that gentleman
shook his head and indicated Noel. The
captain took it in silence, opened it,
glanced over the contents, changed
color, as all could see, and then inquired:
How far is it, sergeant
1T must be fifteen miles from here,
--------- -...- ..... :
sir. l came slowly, because my horse
was worn out, and because Capt. Lane
thought that l would meet the troop
very much nearer the pass. It's more
than fifteen miles, reckon"
Had the attack begun before you
left?"
Eyes, sir; and could hear the shots
as came out of the pass-hear them dis
tinctly."
"May inquire what the news is, cap
tain?" 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"