Cheyenne Wells record., 1921-10-20
CHAPTER ii,-cen.Inued.

consciousness, ne was Tying undef
covers In the carved black walnut bed.
Reside him stood John Aforeland. who
held In one hand a bowl containing q
hot herb brew that his wife had pre-
pared. Granny Heck. her son By, and
Mrs Moreland stood not far away.
"This here'll be good TO ye, think"
said M"reland. 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 stun with difficulty.
"Much Obliged" he muttered thickly.
"I-let's see. did I whip-how did II
end7 He dIdp't lick me, did he-that
fellow Ball?"
HE shore didn't" smiled Norelsnd.
"Not by hiR aight. He fell out fust.
His own pap won't hardly know him,
Bur-
News travels rapidly In the big hills.
The 3lorelands began to gather at the
home Of their chief to see the man
who had whipped Black Adam Ball:
every Moreland able to walk came to
zee Bill Dale. For three hours he was
iionized, but he didn't enjoy It; the
water had left many pains In his
chest. and his head ached duly. and
his hands still felt as though the bones
were shattered in them.
Came thundershower that after
noon. and the mountain evening fell
with a chill. A fire was made in the
wide stune fireplace. In the guests
room. and when supper was over the
family gathered there with Dale. who
refused to be kept In bed.
After a few minutes Of silently
watching grotesque shadows fit across
the log walls, Dale said to John More
land:
"If your brother David could know.
don't you think he'd want you to get
the value out Of the coal7"
John Moreinnd bent forward to rest
his chin 10 his hands. His sober grey
eyes stared thoughtfully toward the
hre.
II aIn't never looked at 1t that
away" he said.
That's the right way to look at it."
declared Dale. "But you shouldn't
cell the property as It is.''
The mountaIneer turned an inquir-
tng face toward his guest.
How in thunder could handle It
ef l dldn't7"
"why not let me develop 1t for
you3" Dale said earnestly. eagerly. Il
won't charge you anything above ex-
penses. and I won't be extravagant."
It'd take considerable money to start
things a-movIn'. Have you got it?"
asked Noreland.
mo, but l can get 1t. Almost any
body would be willing to lend money
on SO good a thing as this. y'know."
For little while Moreland sat there
and looked sQuarely at Dale, who re-
turned his gaze without a sign Of
tilnchIng. The hillman was trying to
find a motive.
'How comes 1t at you, who amt
knowed us but two days." he de-
manded, "can be 30 much interested
In us?"
The question demanded straight
forward answer. Dale realized that
there 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
surmiseL It, for then his efforts would
60 for naught.
Moreland was speaking again. and
his eyes were brighter now.
II agree at David would want us
to deve lsp the COAL ef he could know.
It's like q light a-breakin' to me. But
that coal Is sacred to US. Bill Dale.
sad afore ye go any fu'ther Ill haf
to az We to tell me all about yeself.
A city man up here In the wilderness
II don't look spicious, Bill, mebbe,
but-weli. l hopes ye can pardon me
10 akin It. l shore got to be keer-
full about Brother David's coal. Addie
and the boys'll go out and leave Jest
rs Two in here; and when ye're a-talk-
M. 20 me it's the same as taikin' to
tombstone 70 far ~ tslliD' u con-