Polk County news. [volume] (Benton, Tenn.) 191?-1983, 1921-07-28
CHAPTER ~
The Mystery of the Rifles.

The Mystery of the Rifles.
An hour after John Moreland had
sent his ten rifle bullets whining over
the head of Ben Littleford, every
Moreland and every Littleford in the
valley knew of the declaration of war;
And each man of them oiled his weap-
ons and put them in better working
order.
When Dale went to bed, there was
too much on his mind to render sleep
ing easy for him. Tomorrow he would
have to help in the fight against the Lit
tlefords, kinsmen of the young woman
who had saved him, without doubt,
from death by the murderous rifle of
! the mountaineer Godfather break his
word fatty. 1t was a poor return for
such a favor! The longer he thought
over the dilemma, the more perpIexed
he became.
He thought, too of the everlasting
wonder, the tail of John Moreland's
bedtime prayer How a man could go
down on his knees and ask the bless
ings of the Almighty upon men whom
he meant to fight the next day was
thing that Bill Dale could not under
stand.
1t was after midnight before he
slept He woke at the break of day, |
arose and dressed himself, and went
out. Going toward the fiower-filled
front yard, he found himself facing a
very angry John Mofeland.
whats the matter?" he asked
Matter enough" clipped the noun
taineer "Bill Dale, I'm a-goin' to ak
you question, and want the truth. |
Will / git it?"
You'll get the truth if you get any
thing. Shoot the question"
"All right. What do you know about
my gun?"
about as much as you know of the
left hind wheel of Ben Hur's chariot.
What's wrong with it?"
Morelands eyes were steady and
cold. He thrust his hands into the
pockets Of his corduroy trousers. Then
his face softened a trife.
Il reckon l ought to ak yore par
don," he said in low voice. "Ye see,
my guns plumb gone"
"You had it only last night" Dale
said. "Dld it disappear"
whilst l slept" cut in the hillman.
Both O. my guns is gone And Luke's !
is gone, and so Is Gales, and ,
We hain't got nothin' at all to fight +
hem id Littlefords With"
Gone" Dale exclaimed wondering
Y and-it seemed to him-asininely.
1T must ha' been the Littlefords, q
guess" frowned Moreland. 10 be- a
,auSe who else would ha' done it? But Y
o save the life o. me | CANT see how t
hey got in and took my rifle without
vakin' me up, Bill Dale. 1 slept twicet Il
S light as sick mouse" II
Within ten more minutes, every man II
f the Morelands was gathered there II
t the house of their chief-and every
nan OF them had lost their weapons
uring the night!
John Moreland called Dale aside
nd said to him: -
you're high on the good side o. =
leH llldE llliin hSCho, anu, 50 leT n
s they know, you amt interested In =,
ne feud. wisht you'd go down thar =,
nd see BY and his mother. and see !
? We can find out whar our rifles =,
emit" :,
When Dale had gone off down the =,
lsty oxwagon road. Caleb Moreland :,
imbed tall ash that grew behind =,
IS fathers cabin and kept watch =,
ward the Littleford side of the river. -,
e saw a group of men standing in a,
en- Littfeford's cabin yard, and moth -
& else. ~
A little more than q quarter OF an -.
,ur after Dale left John Moreland -,
, entered by the gateless gateway at ~ ~
e cabin of the Hecks. 1t was d. "
pidated place, and 1t stood not far ~, ~
ON the river. by sat in the front -.
'orway; he was lazlly cutting a new w
Idday sun mark in the place of the
Drn old one. Behind him sat his
other who was buSily knitting IA
ny yarn stocking. tof
The moonshner looked up and start lar
quickly to his feet. Sc
Hi, thar, BILL old boyl" he greeted Tn
rdlally. MY gosh, but we've come fee