The Bienville Democrat. [volume] (Arcadia, Bienville Parish, La.) 1912-1980, 1921-08-11

water was up to his waist at the hall'
way point, and the bottom was. OF
hard-packed sand.
The Goliath stared unbelievlngly'
He was not accustomed to having his
challenges thus accepted. He threw
off his hat and went to meet the 1.-the
young stranger. /
Ell Dale squared himself and put
I'D his guard. Adam Ball came on
and he was scowling Wickedly.
Ball rushed, the clear water swlrIlng
in his wake, and let out with a power
full right. 1t was blow to crush an
ordinary mans chest in; but, to Balls
surprise, it failed to land. Dale evaded
It c|everly, and at the same time sent
swift left uppercut to the others
oull.like Jaw. Adam Ball muttered two
wicked words and steadied 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 a red mark on Bill Dales
shoulder.
"How's that, ye pink coward? ne
crowed.
"All right-how's this?' ,
And Dale sent on mighty DO"
that rebounded DULY from the giants
chest and elected only harsh laugh
Of contempt. There was little to be
gained by striking man like Adam
Ball on the chest; Dale knew no"
that he must reach a more Vulnerable
spot.
Then he tented with his left anC
; drove his right to Balls mouth, bring
ing blood. Ball roared in his blln(
rage and dashed toward his antagonist
resolved to get a cIinch. But Dal'
:, eluded the terrible arms, although II
50 doing he received a blow on tn
temple that made him dizzy for te'
, seconds.
While Ball was again engaged Il
= trying to gain the advantage OF
y clinch, Granny Heck made her appear
ance on the Moreland bank. Sh
' promptly launched her sympathles
manner that pleased both her gapln
son and the watchful and silent Jon
!, Moreland.
y, Hit him in the stummick, Mr.. Bill
~ she cried over and over. Hit MI
whar he lives att"
> The combat grew hotter and hottie
~ Both landed frequently now. the fac'
IL Of both were bleeding, and each sp'
III red now and then. Their clothing nj
been torn away to the belt, and the
10 magnificent wet bodies glowed In Il
H. morning sunlight. Dale had serious
ue damaged his soft hands; they felt
ne though they were filled with sllvers
Ill., steel. But still he fought on logged
a. a determinedly, desperately, minute a
10y er minute.
-, Those on the two banks watched
~. all with suppressed excitement. Ba
~ Littleford stood in the edge OF
water, with her hands clasped bell
~, her throat, her face was pale. 20
~. ~, Moreland, who had witnessed ma
''o other great fights, himself a fight
man, had never before beheld such
u" contest of strength and endurance
o,o this; Bill Dale had won John Mo
"'' lands heart for all time to come.
.;+b But the blows Of the fighters W
growing weaker now. The sound
+ho their labored breathing rose dlstln(
over the gentle roar of the spark
low. wat ars above.
n Then the watchers saw Adam
fol. lunge at his man, saw Dale stun
out of sheer weakness, saw 81
.;+,s mighty blood-streaked arms Ct
about the beautiful white body
hing it close to his great and hi
~, chest A moment, and Ball was D'
anu , inc Dale slowly backward and dc
u'D ward more by reason Of weight
,o,u of strength; another moment, and
was about to sink the brown heaa
,,,o der the surface!
1o,o Babe Littleford gave smoth
cry. John Moreland stepped toV
pou the water and shouted hoarsely:
way, Don't We drowned him Adam! !
We do, yell answer to mel"
Dale had gathered himself for a
ee5. move. He slipped downward sudd'
immersing himself completely,
al shot one arm around Balls tn
IA then, by a great effort, he rose
VII the giant and overthrow him,
u. staggered free!
WE Balls hairy face came to the sui
W. first. Dale fought back the pal
NM the water in his lungs, and the
~ as of sharp and Jagged slivers OF
w in his hands, and struck madly,
. blindly, at the hateful face. he
TIT it down, but it wouldn't go unde
WI water completely. 80.
IN Adam Ball began to drift as tn
NV lifeless down the stream. Bill
w followed, still fighting weakly, en-
u AZ he breathed. But soon he G
I to strike. He saw, instead OF the
I'M like face, flashes as Of distant SUI
MA lightning, and red blotches agal
WIZ thick blackhess. The blotches
W and all became dark to him
pitched forward, gasping, and
w TO drift down the stream Wit
vanquished Ball.
Babe Littleford was standing
~ water to her knees. When Dali
cumbed to utter exhaustion, she
ed toward him, to save him
drowning. She felt strangely
a I'm hio white Glenn ma