Polk County news. [volume] (Benton, Tenn.) 191?-1983, 1921-07-21

ne carried repeating rifle as llShtly
as though it were u mere straw.
One of his great arms suddenly
Strengthened toward Dale, and a voice
as gruff as the growl of a bear said
hOtly:
what was you a-doin' here a-talkin
to my gyur?"
Babe Littleford looked angry. Dale
flushed, then went pale.
Il have a habit of talking with
whom l please" he said evenly.
Spoke like a man." drawled the
| lanky Heck in very low tone.
Goliath of the hills stared unbeliev-
ingly. Dale said in an undertOne to
John Moreland: rs it that Ball fell
low?"
YES" answered the hillman; 'it's
Black Adam Ball"
Ball dropped his rifle to the
violets, slowly clenched his huge and
hairy hands, and thrust his bearded
jaw out aggressively.
Il dare We over here, We pink cow
ard !" he challenged.
IF you have any business with me,
come over here and transact it," Dale
retOrted. II won't run"
That's Moreland TERRITORY" Bali
objected. But I'll meet We half way,
and l dare We to take me up, We lace
trimmed pink mollycoddle!"
Halfway would be the middle of the
river and no place for a fight, surely.
d. NJ l. al
the temper that he had never been
able to keep wholly under CONTROL was
rising fast. He threw off his coat and
hat and rolled the sleeves of his soft
shirt to mis- elbows. Then he waded
into the pool. The slowly moving
water was up to his waist at the half
way point, and the bottom was of
Eard-packed sand.
The Goliath stared unbelievingly
He was not accustomed to having his
challenges thus accepted. He threw
off his hat and went to meet the 1.-the
young stranger.
Bill Dale squared himself and put
up his guard. Adam Ball came on,
and he was scowling wickedly.
Ballrushed, the clear water swirling
in his wake, and let out with power
full right 1t was a blow to crush an
ordinary mans chest in; but to Balls
surprise, it failed to land. Dale evaded
1t cleverly, and at the same time sent
swift left uppercut to the others
0ull-like jaw. Adam Ball muttered two
wicked words and steadied himself;
he had caught a tartar. A moment
and he led out again, and he missed |
again; but he followed it with a blow
that made a red mark on Bill Dales |
shoulder.
Flows that, We pink cowardY he
crowed.
"All right-how's this?'
And Dale sent on a mighty blow
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 now
that he must reach more vulnerable
spot.
Then he tented with his left and
drove his right to Balls mouth, bring
ing blood. Ball roared in his blind
rage and dashed toward his antagonist,
resolved to get a clinch. But Dale
aluded the terrible arms, although in
so doing he received a blow on the
temple that made him dizzy for few
seconds.
While Ball was again engaged in
rying to gain the advantage of a
,linch, Granny Heck made her appear
lnce on the Moreland bank She
launched her sympathies in
/ manner that pleased both her gaping
ION and the watchful and silent John
'Ioreand.
"Hit him in the stummick, Mr.. Bill"
he cried over and over Hit him .
shar he lives at !" .
The combat grew hotter and hotter.
Goth landed frequently now. The faces
# both we're bleeding. and each spat
ed now and then. Their clothing had ,,
zen torn away to the belt, and their !,
magnificent wet bodies glowed in the
corning sunlight. Dale had seriously
amaged his soft hands; they felt as .
hough they were filled with slivers of
teel. But still he fought on doggedly,
desperately, minute aft
r minute.
Those on the two banks watched it
Il with suppressed excitement. Babe =
ittleford stood in the edge of the ,
alter with her hands clasped below "
er throat, her face was pale. John !,
Ioreland, who Had witnessed many
Their great fights, himself fighting :,
ian, had never before beheld such a !.
,ntest of strength and endurance as :.
lis; Bill Dale had won John More :,
nds heart for all time to come.
But the blows of the fighters were Ii
rowing weaker now. The sound of II
leir labored breathing rose distinctly II
yer the gentle roar of the sparkling J.
aters above.
Then the watchers saw Adam Ball
nge at his man, saw Dale stumble
1t of sheer weakness, saw Balls
lightly blood-streaked arms close |,
,out the beautiful white body and N
~ 1t close to his great and hairy o