The Pulaskian., 1921-08-04

snort beard was curleQ Ike the ndlf between a bulls horns In one hand The carried a repeating rifle as lightly as though it were a mere straw.
 One of his great arms suddenly strengthened toward Dale, and voice as gruff as the growl of bear said hotly:
 What was you a-doin' here a-talkin to my gyurl?"
 Babe Littleford looked angry. Dale flushed, then went pale.
 II 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: 'Is it that Ball fel- low?"
 "Yes," answered the hillman; tits Black Adam Ball."
 Ball dropped his rife to the violets, slowly clenched his huge and hairy hands, and thrust his bearded jaw out aggressiyely.
 T dare ye over here, ye pink cow ard !" he challenged.
 If you have any business with me, come over here and transact it,' Dale retorted T won't run"
 That's Moreland terrytory," Ball objected. But I'll meet ye half way, and I dare ye to take me up, ye lace trimmed pink mollycoddle"
 Halfway would be the middle of the river, and no place for a 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 off 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 kard-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. Ball rushed, the clear water swiriing in his wake, and let out with a power ful right It was a blow to crush an ordinary mans chest in; but, to Balls surprise, it failed to land. Dale eyaded it cleverly, and at the same time sent swift left uppercut to the others oull-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 a blow that made red mark on Bill Dales shoulder.
 Flows that, ye pink coward?" he crowed
 "All right-how's this?"
 And Dale sent on a mighty blow that rebounded duly from the giants chest and elcited 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 a more vulnerable spot.
 Then he feinted 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 a blow on the temple that made him dizzy for 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 manner that pleased both her gaping son and the watchful and silent John Moreland.
 Hit him in the stummick, Mir Bill" 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 spat red now and then. Their clothing had been torn away to the. belt, and their magnificent wet bodies glowed in the morning sunlight. Dale had seriously damaged his soft hands; they felt as though they were filled with slivers of steel. But still he fought on doggedly, determinedly, desperately, minute aft CT minute.
 Those on the two banks watched 1t all with suppressed excitement. Bale Littleford stood in the edge of the water. with her hands clasped below her throat, her face was pale. John Moreland, who had witnessed many other great fights, himself a fighting man, had never before beheld such a contest of strength and endurance ag this; Bill Dale had won John More lands heart for all time to come. But tie blows Of the fighters were growing weaker now. The sound of their labored breathing rose distinctly over the gentle roar of the sparkling