Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1921-08-12
CHAPTER III-continued.

When Dale came back to state Of
Consciousness, he was lying under
covers in the carved black walnut bed
Beside him stood John Moreland, who
held in one hand a bowl containing a
hot herb brew that his wife had pre-
pared. Granny Heck, her son By, and
HRS. Moreland stood not far away.
"This herell be good fo' ye, think"
said Moreland nodding toward the
bowl in his hand. He went over and
put an arm around Dale's shoulders
and helped him to sit up.
Dale drank the stuff with difficulty.
"AIuch obliged" he muttered thickly.
"T-let's see, did whip-how did it
end? He didn't lick me, did he-that
fellow Ball?"
"He shore didn't" smiled Moreland.
''Not by big sight. He fell out fust
His own pap won't hardly know him,
BinP'
=
News travels rapidly in the big hills.
home of their chief to see the man
who had whipped Black Adam Ball !;
every Moreland able to walk came to
see Bill Dale For three hours he was
Ylonized, but he didn't enjoy it; the
water had left many pains in his
chest, and his head ached duly. and
bis hands still felt as though the bones
were shattered in them.
Came a tAundershower that after
noon, and the mountain evening fell
with a chill A fire was made in the
wide stone fireplace in the guests
room, and when supper was over the
family gathered there with Dale, who
refused to be kept in bed.
After few minutes of silently
watching grotesque shadows fit across
she log walls, Dale said to John More
hand:
IF your brother David could know,
don't you think he'd want you to get
che value out of the coalg"
John Moreland bent forward to rest
his chin in his hands. His sober grey
eyes stared thoughtfully toward the
fire.
ST amt never looked at it that
away" he said.
That's the right way to look at it,"
declared Dale. "But you shouldn't
sell the property as it isl
The mountaineer turned an inquir-
ing face toward his guest.
"How in thunder could handle it
eff l didnt?"
"Why not let me develop it for
you?' Dale said earnestly, eagerly. 81
won't charge you anything above ex-
penses, and 1 won't be extravagant."
ltd take considerable money to start
things a-movin'. Have you got it?'
asked Moreland.
mo. but l can get it. Almost any
body would be willing to lend money
on so good a thing as this, y'know.''
For a little while Moreland sat there
and looked squarely at Dale, who re-
turned his gaze without a sign of
Glinching. The hillman was trying to
find a motive.
"How comes it at you, who amt
knowed us but two days." he de-
manded, "can be so much interested
In us?'
The question demanded a straight
forward answer. Dale realized that
ahere was but one way in which he
could give a satisfactory explanation,
and that that was by telling the truth
but not the whole truth, as he
Slfmised it, for then his efforts would
go for naught.
Moreland was speaking again, and
his eyes were brighter now.
81 agree at David would want us
60 develop the coal, eff he could know.
It's like light a-breakin' to me. But
that coal is sacred to us, Bill Dale,
and afore We go any fu'ther I'll hat
TO ak We to tell me all about yeself.
a city man up here in The wilderness
st don't look spicious, Bill, mebbe,
but-well, I hopes We can pardon me
10 AKIN it. l shore got to be keer-
tut about Brother Dayid's coal. Addie
end the boys'n go out and leave jest
las two in here; and when ye're a-talk-
In to me it's the same as talkin' 70 a
tombstone SO fer as tellin' is con-
sarned. Addie, honey; Luke, you and
Gale"
Mrs. Moreland and her sons arose
and left the room, closing the door be-
hind them. Bill Dale paced the floor,
arms folded, brows drawn. Finally he
falted before the Moreland chief
There's nothing Pm ashamed of,
guess" he said. 81 don't like to tell it
simply. because 1 don't like to tell it.
But-Pli do it."
lie sat down in his sheepskin-lined
rocker, lay back and closed his eyes
as though to visualize the story, to
.bve it over.