The Ordway new era., 1921-12-02
CHAPTER xvIlI-con,ioued.

soon t0c Slnnuer OF lle many FiueS
became almost q steady roar. The
air was Allied with the pungent odor
of burning powder Bill Dale emptIed
the magazine Of his repeater, and
sank behind the big chestnut TO fill
1t again with cartridges from his belt.
Bullets now whined on both sides OF
him; they cut greenish white burrows
In the bark OF both sides of the tree,
and knocked up little spurts OF black
earth to his right and to his left !;
they cut of twigs within an arms
reach of him. A dozen Balls were
now firing at him, seeking TO ayenge
the death Of their kinsman. the
Goliath. John Moreland's strong voice
came to him through the din and roar !:
Don't show 10 part o yoreself now.
Bill; eff ye do. yen shore be hit ~
Dale fired again, pumped a fresh
cartridge into the chamber OF his rife
and slipped another into the magazine,
and arose behind the chestnut.
Down. Blu!" cried John Moreland.
u Dale heard, he gave no sign OF
L. lie fved four shots rapidly. and
before the wind had carried away the
binding smoke he was behind another
Tree and shooting toward the Balls
again. soon there came u short, loud
peal or laughter from his left; he
turned his head and saw Ben Little
ford taking a careful aim at n long
angle toward the side OF q boulder.
Then Littleford fired, and a puff Of
stone dust showed that his bullet had
zone true 10 Its mark.
What's that forT' demanded Dale.
I've haven't any ammunition TO throw
swayi''
why, Bill, replied Littleford,
didn't ye never bounce a bullet offen
< rock and make it go toward a man
shind OF q tree?'
1t lasted hotly for two hours, but |
the casualties were comparatively |
few. because there was so much cover 1
available. From the beginning the !
Balls and the Turner'S had the worst |
OF it, which was due to uphill shoot |
ing. white whisky. and lack Of the |
iron that makes real fighting men. |
The cartridges OF those below were |
giving out: they had fred too many
shots neediessiy.
IT'S about time to rush them" Dale
said to John Moreland. who had crept |
up beside him.
Jest give the word" Moreland |
nodded.
few minutes later. Bill Dale sent
the wings Of his line down the noun
tainside. forming a half-circIe OF his
force once more then the whole line |
rushed. surrounded the enemy and
called for surrender.
But the Balls and their klnsmen
wouldn't give in yet. They left their
cover and started to run, found them
selves facing Morelands and Little
fords In every direction, dubbed their
rides and fought. II was not true
courage that prompted them to offer
resistance thus: 1t was utter despera-
don: they had never been givers Of I
mercy. therefore they id not expect I
mercy. Dale's men forebore to FIRE "
upon them, which was at Dale's com /
nand, and met them with club5ed .
rifles The woodland rang with the .
sound Of wood and stee' crashing .
against wood and stssl. Everywhere
there we're groans and thrests and 1
curses from the losing SIDE. victorious /
cries and further 6enz16s ~ = zzr-
render from the Efnre-s.
Bin Dale. ever q ioTeT q .sir e1.o-
Raj. threw do1-n lis repeztsr % zrzp-
pie with Z blz Sor1E Cz-ol fniza Ehoze
dubbed N-agon had beer krocke6
from hts lands The RIO fell and
rolled down the rnozntsinsi9@. iocked
in each oEhers arms.
And then one II tie Balls struck
Bil Dsis across tie head With the butt
OF his euyrJ gun. and BiI Dale SLACK
-Ded his arms ard lay ss one dead.
He WIS lying under cover In hand
carved black walnut tourposter. and
II was night. when he opened his eyes
again. Above him he saw the bearded
faces of Ben Littleford and John
Moreland. and they looked haggard
and anxious In the oil lamps yellow
light. Suddenly Moreland spoke:
"Dead-nothin' jubiiantly. Look.
Ben; he's done come to. Ye couldn't
put him In a cannon and shoot him
ag'inst a cliff and kill him, Ben, I
hope ye're s-feelin' all right, Bill.
shore"
Dale realized everything quite clear
u. He put 4 hand to his head; there
was q wet cloth lying over the swollen
place.
''He shore give ye buster of
Hex" drawled q voice that Dale in
stantIy recognized ~ that Of his wor-
shipper, BY Heck. DANCED ef Gale
AossJand didn't might nigh 1t beat
HIN 70 death. Bill !"
Many msu crowded to the bedside
~ smiled ct him, and he smiled back
= fham. Soon ha aaked: