Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1891-01-08


Meantime. where are the looked for sup
portss Lane, with wearied horses, had
made the march from the railway station
to the pass in a little over fourteen hours.
II was 500 when he started and Sis when
he unsaddled among the rocks. He had
come through the blazing sunshine of the
long June day: sometimes at the trot.
sometimes at the lope, Outlines dismount-
ing and leading when crossing ridges or
ravines. He was still pale and weak from
his long illness, and suffering from sor-
row that had robbed him OF all the buoy
a-cy he had ever possessed. But the sense
Of duty was as strong as ever, and the sol
der spirit triumphed over the ills Of the
flesh.
Noel, starting at AS p. m, with horses
and men fresh and eager. with guide who
knew every inch Of the way, and the bright
starlight to cheer his comrades, could rea-
sonably be expected to cover the same
ground in the same time; every old caval-
ryman knows that horses travel better by
night than by day By good rights he and
his men should be at the pass az least an
hour before the time set by Lane. 1t was
only a week before that the captain had
declared at the Qleea City that be had
never felt so "ltn in his life, and a cam
paign would just sait him. Things seem
ed TO have different color, however, rs ne
watched the going down of the sun be-
hind the distant Peloncillos. The words
OF the yoaag infantry adjutant Kept re-
CURING to him, and he knew Of old that
when Lane started after Indians he was
dead sure to get EN-, - Mr.. Mason was
good enough to renin,. Nim
Twice before sunset the guide had ven
tured 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 o5iect; they were expected to
get there in time to help Lane head oil the
attempt at further fight, and to hold the
Apaches, wherever met, until the pur
suing force could reach them from the
north aud hem them ia. Noel ranked Ma
son-only few files, aud knew well that all
the regiment would side with his subal-
tern; so he was forced 60 a show of cordial
ity and consideration. He rode by the
lieutenant side, assuring him of the sense
of strength it gave him TO have with MIN a
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 It, had 90 pull wires ike
sin to get relieved, as it was Old Hudson,
the head of the recruiting service, just
swcre ne wouldn't let me 90. 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 Cat I've
grown.
Mason siiw, but said fif1y mile ride
ought moi - stagger any cavalryinan, hard
or soft, and made no reply whatever 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 Il steady walk. Halts for rest.
too, had been frequently ordered. and at
last Mason could stand it no longer. After
repeated looks at his watch he had burst
ont 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 different from
those that came TO the post. They said
make all speed, lose not moment Did
not yours say so, toosf
1.-The general knew very well that had
marched cavalry too often not to under
stand Just how to ger there in time,' was
Noels stately reply: and, though chaiing
inwardly. Mason was compelled to 81
lence. Ten O'Clock came, and still it
VAS no better. Then both the lieuten-
ant and the guide, after moments
consultation during rest, approached the
captain and begged him TO increase the
gait. and when they mounted the COM
mand did for while move on at a Jog,
which Mason would fam have increased
To the lope, but Noel interposed. Midnight
and more rests found them fully ten miles
behind the point where the guide and lieu
tenant had planned TO be. Even the men
had begun TO murmur among themselves
and to contrast the captains spiritless ad-
vance with Mr. Mason's lively methods.
Two o'clock and the Pyramid range was
still far away. Daybreak came, and Ma
son was nearly mad with misery, the guide
sullen nnd disguised. Broad daylight