Licking Valley courier., 1921-08-25
CHAPTER III
Goliath Of the Hills,

arose and dressed himself, and went
out by way Of the door beside the
huge stone-and-clay chimney.
The mountain air was bracing. Dale
threw out his chest and started eager
ly for walk.
The road led past the cabin of
Grandpap Mofeland. When Dale was
directly in front Of the log house, he
saw the aged mountalneer standing on
rickety sawhorse beside the stone
step at the narrow porch; Grandpap
Moreland was helping gray cat down
from the roof,
'Mornin'! ! was Jest a.takin' that
thar cussfred old pest down often the
roof. I've took him down every morn.
in as regular as / make fires, TO- three
year or more. Ef 1t wasn't bad luck
to kill a cat, I shoot him, mebbe"
After brenkfnsting with John More
land, Bill Dale borrowed ashlng-tackle
from his host, and set out alone for
the little river.
There were many shoals and rapids.
and he went almost half q mile before
he found plate to his liking. 1t was
a beautiful spot. Above, the water
poured between two great boulders
with gentle roar; below, 1t Swallowed
out over round stones. Overhead
lowered tall white sycamores.
Not f,ntil ha had mt a ,,,tnnn,,, IN
the hook and cast 1t out did he see
that he was not alone at the pool. On
the other side, less than sixty feet
away, Babe Littleford sat on a stone
the size Of small barrel; she held
cane fishlng-rod In her hands, and
her bare feet were In the water to her
ankles. She was looking squarely to-
ward Dale, and there was something
akin to reproachful anger In her long
brown eyes.
Good mornlngl" called Dale, lifting
his hat.
There was no reply. There was moi
even change Of countenance. Agar
Dale called his friendly greeting, apf
again there was no reply, 1t plquet
Dale.
A few yards down the stream the
white body Of a sycamore lay from
one bank to the other; 1t had beer
blown there by recent storm. DALI
| wound his line. went down and crossed
by means Of the PROSTATE tree,
She didn't even look around whel
he walked up to her and spoke again
II struck him as being decidedly odd
II say" he told her, you're a
chatty as set Of stencils. Yo,
mustn't talk so much, y'know."
Her eyes smiled at the river, bu
Dale couldn't see her eyes,
"Do you like yiolets, Miss Little
fordT he asked next.
In the black, mlca.starred soil a
his feet grew a carpet OF the fines
vlolets he had ever seen. Babe let tn
tip Of her cane rod fall into the waite
and looked around.
ut sounds funny to hear man tai
o. sech little things as vI'lets," she d'
clared. "Most o. men don't think ,
nothln' but workin', huntln', fightir
and eatin'. I'm little mad at you
| went home yeste'day-and | thin
! run might nigh the whole six mile
and fixed up dinner To- you, cause
understood you was a-cOmin' to Ou
hOuse-and you went to them low
down MorelandsW
~ beg pardon" he said contritely
didn't know you were especially el
pectIng me. had business" he adde'
with John Moreland,"
There came TO his ears from som
where down the river the chorus
a raklsh old hill song, and the volt
was that OF the lanky moonshlner. I
! Heck
7 'oh, when | die don't-a bury me deer
Put no tombstone ut my head and fee
j Put q bears jawbone In my right han
On my way to the Promised l.a-a-an
OH on my way TO the Promls'
Landw
A few minutes later there appear'
| on the Morelund side OF the river Il
, Singer Of the raklsh old song; he hi
a mlnnow pail In one hand and viii
: hickory rod In the other.
= ali, thar, Bill, old boy" he yelle
"Hl, thar, Babe Either Of ye'u
ketched nnythlngr
Ben 1.lttleford's daughter held up
fish proudly. Heck slapped his thlI
: with his slouch hat.
+ Good TO youl" he exclaimed. ''B
c they ahft ~.bltln' Jest right. n
] moons wrong, and the signs is wrol
10 lshln'.".
At that Instant John Moreland q
peared at Heck's side. He seemed We
serious about something,
Nj. L.