Licking Valley courier., 1921-09-08
CHAPTER VI.



Every mothers son Of the feudlsts
was numbered In the party that filed
across David Moreland's mountain to
intercept the next south-bound train.
The old enmlty was for the time being
forgotten. Members of one clan
rubbed elbows with members Of the
other clan, and thought nothing of 1t.
John MOreland himself carried one
end of the crude litter that held the
limp form Of Babe Littleford; BID
Dale carried the other end.
Close behind the litter walked Babes
father, seeming old and broken with
remorse for the thing he had done
The grief Of Ben Littleford was touch
Ing now, and Dale was little sorry
that he had spoken so bitterly to him
They reached the Halfway switch
ten minutes before the arrival Of the
fast mail. A short passenger train
was on the long siding, waiting for the
south bound to pass. Dale gave his
end Of the litter to Caleb MOreland,
and strode up to the locomotive. The
engineer sat quietly smoking In his
cab.
Dale wanted the fast mail stopped,
and gave his reasons.
The engineer smoked and consid-
cred. 1t was against rules. Dale
swore at rules. The engineer said he
would see the conductor. He did, and
the conductor stepped to the ground
and began to consider.
"Better put her on my train," he
said finally, land take her to Barton's
station. There's good doctor at Bar
TOMS"
"But this is q case for a surgeon 7
lmpatiently interrupted Bill Dale.
They disagreed. The old tralnmar
was a close friend Of the doctor a
Bartons station. What was the diff
ference between a doctor and a sur
-geon, anyway
Dale became angry.
"You'll stop the fast mail for u.s.
he snapped, "or we'll take your d.
red flag and hold her up long enough
to put the girl aboard, and you've go
only half a second to decide which !!
The conductor was obdurate. Th
mountain men were too hot-headed +
bear with him longer. The position
Of dozen rifles underwent q suddel
change. The conductor immedlatel
went pale and mentioned the law
but he agreed to stop the southbounC
AS he ordered his tiagman up tn
tracks, the sound of the fast train
WHISTLE came to their ears.
The fller came to screechlng hal
with sparks streaming from Its wheels
Bill Dale and John Moreland passe
the litter and Its burden into the bal
gage car and followed II hastily, an
Ben Llttleford climbed In after then
John Moreand leaned out Of the d0ol
way and ordered his son Luke to pas
him his rifle, and Luke obeye
promptly.
There was shrek from the whistle
and the brakes were released; tn
train began to gather momentum.
baggageman approached John Nor
land and asked why the rifle. Nor
land half closed one keen grey ey
and patted the walnut stock OF h
repeater,
"Oh, jest brought 1t along to 81
at everybody has straight DEAL" |
drawled-'go on about yore bushes
mister"
The baggaseman went about h
business.
The conductor OF the fast train WI
very unlike the conductor of the mort
bound. When he mad learned som
thing Of the circumstances, ne insin'
ated that Dale had done exactly II
right thing. lie would see wheth'
there was doctor aboard.
Within live more minutes he r.
turned In company with an elderI
man wearing pointed beard and nos
glasses.
doctor Mckenzie" he said pollt
ly; "ME -"
"Dale."
The two nodded, and the physical
knelt beside the litter, which had bet
placed with Its ends on boxes to ollo
the center to swing free. lie made
thorough an examination us was po
slhle under the conditions, then arol
Gnd stood looking down upon Il
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