Taiban Valley news., 1921-10-21

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almost, of Goliath. He was blacI
eyed and black-haired. and his thicl
short beard was curled like the hal
between bulls horns. In one han,
he carried a repeating rife as lightl,
as though it were a mere straw.
One Of his great arms suddenl,
Strengthened toward Dale, and a voic
as gruff as the growl of a bear sal,
hotly:
What was you a-doin' here a-talkin
to my gyurl?"
Babe LittlefOrd looked angry. Dal,
flushed, then went pale.
Il have habit of talking witt
whom l please" he said evenly.
Spoke like a man." drawled the
lanky Heck in very low tone.
Goliath Of the hills stared unbeliev
ingly. Dale said In an undertone tc
John Moreland: "Is 1t that Ball fel
lOw?
"Yes," answered the hillman; 'it'l
Black Adam Ball."
Ball dropped his rife to the
violets, slowly clenched his huge. and
hairy hands, and thrust his bearded
jaw out aggressively.
II dare We over here, ye pink COW.
ardr" he challenged.
IF you have any business with me,
come over here and transact it," Dale
retorted. II won't rum"
THAT'S Moreland TERRITORY" Ball
objected. "But I'll meet We half way,
and dare ye to, take me up, ye lace
trimmed pink mollycoddle !"
Halfway would be the middle Of the
river, and no place for fight, surely.
But Dale was nettled. His temper.
the temper that he had never been
able to keep wholly under control, was
rising fast. He threw off his coat and
hat and rolled the sleeves of his soft
shirt to his elbows. Then he waded
into the pool The slowly moving
water was up to his waist at the half
way point, and the bottom was of
Eard-packed sand.
The Goliath stared unbelievingly.
He was not accustomed to having his
challenges thus accepted. He threw
off his hat and went to meet the 1.-THE
young stranger.
Bill Dale squared himself and put
up his guard. Adam Ball came on,
and he was scowling wickedly.
Ball rushed, the clear water swirling
In his wake, and let out with a power
ful right. 1t was blow to crush an
ordinary mans chest in; but, to Balls
surprise, 1t failed to land. Dale evaded
1t cleverly, and at the same time sent
a swift left uppercut to the others
bull-like jaw. Adam Ball muttered two
wicked words and steadled himself;
he had caught tartar. A moment,
and he led out again, and he missed
again; but he followed 1t with a blow
that made red mark on Bill Dale's
shoulder.
"How's that, ye pink cowardT" he
"All right-how's thisY
And Dale sent on a mighty blow
hat rebOunded DULY from the giants
hest and ELECTED only a harsh laugh
II contempt. There was little to be
yained by striking a man like Adam
Ball on the chest; Dale knew now
hat he must reach a more vulnerable
pot.
Then he feinted with his left and |
Irove his right to Balls mouth, bring |
ng blood. Ball roared in his blind |
age and dashed toward his antagonist,
esolved to get clinch But Dale
luded the terrible arms, although In
o doing he received a blow on the |
emple that made him dizzy for few
econds.
While Ball was again engaged in
rying to gain the advantage of a
Inch, Granny Heck made her appear
nee on the Moreland bank. She
romptly launched her sympathies in
manner that pleased both her gaping
on and the watchful and silent John
Ioreland.
"Hlt him In the stummlck, Mr. Bill |"
he cried over and over. "Hit him
'har he lives atW
The combat grew hotter and hotter.
9th landed frequently now. The faces
both were bleeding, and each spat
I'd now and then. Their clothing had
cen torn away to the belt, and their
Iagnlficent wet bodies glowed in the
forming sunlight. Dale had seriously
his soft hands; they felt as
lough they were filed with slivers of
eel. But still he fought on doggedly.
eterminedly, desperately, minute aft
: minute.
Those on the two banks watched 1t
/ with suppressed excitement. Babe
stood in the edge of the
ater, with her hands clasped below
er throat, her face was pale. John
oreland, who had witnessed many
her great fights, himself a fighting
an, had never before beheld such a
'ntest Of strength and endurance as
is; Bill Dale had won John More
nd's heart for all time to come.
But the blows of the fighters were
owing weaker now. The sound of
cir labored breathing rose distinctly
1er the gentle roar Of the sparkling
aters above.