Licking Valley courier., 1921-10-20

tAhoh Ot6iCb thC
watch, heavy with drink, stopped play.
ing cards and singing outlandish
songs, forgot all orders and began to
nod. Then It was that Dale thought
Of the man who had been his faithful
guardian for many days, the lanky
BY Heck. Why hadn't he thought Of
Heck beforef He wondered II Heck
had followed him to the trap, II Heck
was near him even then, II Heck had
gone for help.
BY Heck had not followed Bill Dale
to the little basin. But he had fol-
lowed Henderson Goff, and Henderson
Goff had followed Dale to the little
basin. Goff had returned to the Big
Pine Mountain country only that day
and he knew nothing Of the plans Of
the Ball-T0rrey faction until he wit
messed the mockery Of trial. Goff
was now crouchlng In the darkness on
the low line of cliffs to the eastward
from the walnut tree; and not far
behind him, we'll hidden In the black
laurels, watching him and watching
Bill Dale, crouched BY Heck.
Dale's guardian had not gone for
help, because he feared to leave Dale
utterly unprotected In the hands Of
the gang Of cutthroats. he believed
that he could rescue Dale himself.
When the first watch became little
more drowsy, he would steal up be-
hind the tree and cut the cotton rope.
Then he realized that Goff had dis.
appeared entirely. He crept forward
silently. his eyes alert, and moment
later he saw Goff stealing toward the
walnut tree. He climbed no,seieesiy
down over the tlce Of the cliff and
followed Goft like a shadow. When
Goff's hands touched the tree, BY Heck
was within ten feet Of 1t. Heck made
sure his rife was ready and took an
other step forward, watching, listen
Ing.
The shyster coal man leaned around
the tree to the left. In the glow Of
the low-burned fire the blade Of Q
small knife In his hand cleaned dull
red. He whispered cautiously
"YOure In az, Dale. And it's
none Of my doing. either. Give me
your word that I'll get that coal prop
erty for fifteen thousand, and I'll slash
the rope. How about iti Sick Of
this country, aren't your
There came Q few seconds Of silence
save for the lusty snoring Of the sleep
ers and the musical tlnkle of the little
creek. after which Goff muttered dis
appointedly:
"Well, then. hang"
And Heck knew that Dale had re-
fused to sell the Moreland coal for q
song even to save his life. AS Con
stepped backward, the muzzle Of the
tall hillman's rifle went against the
small Of his back, and the tall hlllman
whispered hoarsely, through teeth
uBltiy clenCHeu'
"Slash at rope, d-n yore soul
Slash at rope, or ! wisht ! may drap
dead ef I don't shoot yore backbone
into four thousand pieces, igod Slaph
itr
Goff Strengthened ln surprise. The
rifles muzzle went harder against hi,
back and he knew II for exactly What
Il was. He moved hand upward
then downward and the cotton ropt
was severed In half a dozen places.
"Stiddy thar, nowl" whispered BY
Heck, and he began to back away
Come along WI me, ye dadslatted
banjer.bellIed skunk. Bill he'll foller,
The three Of them hurried into III,
deeper shadows. Soon Heck 'hnlte,
Goff and turned to Dale. -
"S'arch him TO q gun. Bill, old boy
Dale lifted from Henderson Gofrl
right-hnnd coat-pocket blued ant
stub-nosed magazine pistol. -
"Dang my eyes and blast my for
rardl" Heck exclaimed In mufiie,
voice. "IIe's plumb death on then
little popguns. amt hei Say, Con
Of ever ye shoots me with a thing lik
that and find II out, DANCED ef ! don
spank ye ontel yore nose bloods :, Now
les 20, youuns. And ef ye jest chez
out a noise, Mister Gofr. the buEzard
win pick the meat often yore bone
afore tomorrer night"
"Move. shysterl" frowned Bl
Dale. "i".,
by Heck led the way to the, line, q
cliffs to the westward. They ha
climbed the rugged wall and WEI
about to set out through the pitch
dark woodland, when voice thr
they knew well hailed them soft
from the laurels to their left:'s-
"Hold on. tharw -
"John Moreland, by jlggers ~ mu
tered Heck. 4
Morelund hnstened soundlessly
| NHtiu. ItShun Nt uthh hituh u
harm, BY" he said In tones that e;
pressed deep regret, but yit | shoi
wisht ye hudn't har dones it, ''''
Samuel Heck was very proud
himself He Strengthened there W d
darkness. -:
"Whnt'n the name O. the devil max,
ye wisht sech a thing as that, John.
he demanded In haff Angry voice.
"Cause," growled the big hillmd
you went and spilled HI out o. Il
main bIg plcnlc. We meant to vii
out all o them thar lowdown Bal
and Torreys, by. When they went
hang Blll Dale In the mornln', we'd h
had Il good reason 70 a.klllln' 'cm ever
One--the wenselsl Ye see, by, eve
man More'and hut Caleb, and eve
man o. the Llttlefords, Is hid here
these lnurcls. and has been ever sen
Tint thar fool trial begun We W
Jest u.wultln'. How. did we hnpp
Ia know III
"Ats easy, by, Me and Zen l.
,lefolJ was on our way utter mo