The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1921-08-19

almost OF Goliath. lie was 'Dihch-
eyed and black haired. and his thick,
short beard was curled Ike the hair
between a bulls horns. Iii one hand
he carried a repeating rife as lightly
as though II were a mere straw.
One OF his great arms suddenly
Strengthened toward Dale. and a voice
as gruff as the growl Of bear said
\ hotly:
"What was Fou s-aoin' here a-talkin'
to my gyurl7"
Babe Littlefon looked angry. Dale
flushed, then went pale.
II have habit Of talking with
whom | please he said evenly.
Spoke like man." drawled the
lanky Heck in very low tone.
Goliath of the hills stared unbeliev-
ingly. Dale said In an undertone to
John Moseland: as 1t that Ball fell
| low?'
eyes," answered the hillman; "it's
Black Adam Ball."
Ball dropped his rife to the
violets, slowly clenched his huge and
hairy hands, and thrust his bearded
jaw out aggressively.
II dare We over here, ye pink cow
ard |" he challenged.
"If you have any business with me,
come over here and transact it." Dale
retorted. 81 won't run"
"That's Moreland TERRITORY" Bali
objected. But I'll meet ye half way,
and dare We to take me up, ye lace
trimmed pink mollycoddle!"
Halfway would be the middle of the
river, and no place for fight, surely.
But Dale was nettled. His temper,
the temper that he had never been
able to keep wholly under control, was
rising fast. He threw of his coat and
hat and rolled the sleeves Of his soft
shirt to his 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
hard-packed sand.
The Goliath stared unbelievingly.
He was not accustomed to having his
challenges thus accepted. He threw
off his hat and wcat 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.
Ball rushed, the clear water swirling
In his wake, and let out with a power
full right. 1t was blow to crush an
ordinary mans chest in; but, to BalHs
surprise, 1t failed to land. Dale evads&
1t cleverly, and at the same time sent
swift left uppercut to the others
bull-like Jaw. Adam Ball muttered two
wicked words and steadied himself
he had caught tartar. A moment,
and he led out again, and he missed
again; but he followed it with blow
that made a red mark on Bill Dale's
shoulder.
FLOWS that, We pink cowardT 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 a 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
eluded the terrible arms, although in
so doing he received blow on the
temple that made him dizzy for a few
seconds.
/ While Ball was again engaged in
trying to gain the advantage of a
clinch, Granny Heck made her appear
ance on the Moreland bank. She
promptly launched her sympathies in
a manner that pleased both her gaping
son and the Jwatchful and silent John
Moreland,
Hit him in the stummlck, Mr.. Bnlr'
she cried over and over. "Hit him
whar he lives at |"
The combat grew hotter and hotter
Both landed frequently now. The faces
of both were bleeding. and each spai
red now and then. Their clothing hat
been torn away to the belt, and theii
magnificent wet bodies glowed In the
morning sunlight. Dale had seriousl,
damaged his seft hands; they felt a.
though they were filled With slivers Of
steel. But still he fought on doggedly
determinedly, desperately, minute aft
er minute.
Those on the two banks watched 1
all with suppressed excitement. Bah,
Lttieford stood In the edge of tn,
water, with her hands clasped below
her throat, her face was pale. JohI
Moreland, who had witnessed man,
other great fights. himself fighting
man, had never before beheId such
contest OF strength and endurance a
; this; Bill Dale had won John More
lands heart for all time to come.
. Rut the blows az tho 6ubtara ,,,n..