Carroll County democrat. (Huntingdon, Tenn.) 188?-1971, 1921-08-12

49, oHu OldSh-ldAItus ana MS tn1cl
short beard was curled like the hal
between a bulls horns. In one han
ne carried repeating rifle as light
as though 1t were a mere straw.
One Of his great arms suddenl
Strengthened toward Dale, and a vote
as gruff as the growl Of bear sai,
hotly:
What was you a-doln' here a-talkin
to my gyurlY
Babe LIttleford looked angry. Dial,
flushed, then went pale.
i have a habit Of talking witt
whom / please" he said evenly.
Spoke like a man." drawled the
lanky Heck In q very low tone.
Goliath Of the hills stared unbellev
ingly. Dale said In an undertone "a
John Moreland: els it that Ban feI.
low?
EYES," answered the hlIlman: ~it's
Black Adam Ball"
Ball dropped his rife to the
violets, slowly clenched his huge and
hairy hands, and thrust his bearded
jaw out aggressively.
I dare ye over here, We pink cow
ard!" he challenged.
IF you have any business with me
come over here and transact IT," Dale
retOrted. II won't run"
THAT'S Moreland TERRITORY" Bali
objected. but I'll meet We half way.
and | dare We to take me up, We lace
trimmed pink mollycoddle p
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
lard-packed sand.
The Goliath stared unbelievipglv.
lie was not accustomed to having his
thus accepted. He threw
III his hat and went to meet the 1.-the
'oung stranger.
Bill Dale squared himself and put
lp his guard. Adam Ball came on,
nd ne was scowling wickedly.
Ball rushed, the clear water swirllnp
his wake and let out with power
I'll right. 1t was blow to crush an
rdinary mans chest in; but, to Balls
urprise, it failed to land. Dale evaded
cleverly, and at the same time sent
swift left uppercut to the others
jaw. Adam Bah muttered two
licked words and steadied himself:
had caught tartar. A moment,
nd he led out again, and he missed
gain; but he followed it with a blow
lat made a red mark on Bill Dale's
BOULDER.
"How's that, We pink coward?" he |
owed. {
All right-how's thisY
And Dale sent on a mighty blow 9
at rebounded duly from the giants Q
est and elected only harsh laugh Z
contempt. There was little to be I
med by striking a man like Adam
III on the chest; Dale knew now G
at he must reach a more vulnerable
OF. V
Then he tented with his left and n
owe his right to Balls mouth, bring
blood. Ball roared in his blind q
5e and dashed toward his antagonist. L
solved to get clinch. But Dale N
ded the terrible arms, although in al
doing he received a blow on the
nple that made him dizzy for a few &C
onds. W
While Ball was again engaged in
Ing to gain the advantage of a Si
lch, Granny Heck made her appear W
e ON the Moreland bank. She nc
mptly launched her sympathies in
manner that pleased both her gaping III
and the watchful and silent John MI
reland. in
Hit him In the stummick, Mr.. Bill! ne
cried over and over. "Hit him Je'
If he lives att" 70
ne combat grew hotter and hotter re'
h landed frequently now. The faces
10Th were bleeding, and each spat A
now and then. Their clothing had nc
torn away to the belt, and their NC
niticent wet bodies glowed in the ma
ming sunlight. Dale had seriously cul
aged his soft hands; they felt as AM
Ugh they were filed with sliyers of tne
|. But still he fought on doggedly,
desperately, minute aft MO
cot
hose on the two banks watched II car
With suppressed excitement. Babe O
eford stood in the edge of the you
r. with her hands clasped below nat
throat, her face was pale. John tlei
Gland, who had witnessed MANY He'
great fights, himself a fighting son
had never before beheld such oru
est OF strength and endurance as nm
Bill Dale had won John More MAJ
s heart for all time to come. Dan
t the blows of the fighters were r.
ing weaker now The sound of
labored breathing rose distinctly
the gentle roar # the sparkling
RS above.
en- the watchers saw Adam Ball
at his man, saw Dale stumble