Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1921-08-19

plain view.
Then came a puff of white smoke
and report from one of the More
land rifles, then shots from both sides
and the battle was on. Dale heard
the nasty whine OF bullet in full
flight he heard the coarse "zzZ" of
half-Spent ricOchet. He knew that he
was in some danger now, and he was
surprised to find that he was not
frightened.
When he halted again it was on his
knees behind the big white sycamore
that sheltered John MOreland.
Back, are ye?" frowned the noun
taineer. And with the grimmest hui
NOR, Il reckon We had fine, large
time in Cincinnaty. YOre friend Har-
ris was well, hope. Git that money
from him."
Cut that out" said Bill Dale. 1T
doesn't get us anywhere"
A bullet threw particles of sycamore
bark to his face, interrupting. John
Moreland pointed to a green furrOw in
the side OF the tree.
"Ben LittiefOrd hsself," said More
land. He's ahind O. that water oak
acroSt thar. Don't stick yore head
out'
The mOuntaineer turned his gaze
over Dale's shoulder and his cOunte-
nance seemed to freeze. Dale looked
around quickly and saw Babe Little
ford, less than ten feet behind him !
She had crept up through the tall
grasses and weeds. In one hand she
carried white flag made OF a mans
handkerchief and a willow switch. She
halted and sat up.
Babel" Dale cried out. what are
you doing here?"
Babe gave him pale smile. "Ef
9ap'd shoot me. a-thinkin' was a
Moreland, mebbe it'd stop the ever
lastin' tightin'," she said.
John MOreland stared, and Bill Dale
stared. They were in Presence, and
they knew it. Babe went on:
1--WE come to save all O. yOre lives
but eff | do it, yell hat to make yore
men quit a-hghtin' right nOW-jeSt or
der 'em to stop a-shootin', and hold
up this here-and | promise We on a
l.ittleford'S word at pap'll call We a
better man AN him cause We done
it"
She tossed the white flag to him.
The amt no time to lose, John More
land; hold up the flag! Eff We don't,
| yell every one be killed, cause ye're
| every one in a trap!"
Il don't believe We, Babel" snapped
the Moreland chief. "Yore people can
hold up a white rag jest as well as
we can!'
Babe went paler. There was sud-
| den burst of firing from the Moreland
rifles, and she crept a little nearer to
| John Moreland in order that he might
hear plainly that which she had to tell
| him next.
Pm a-gOin' to tell ye O. this dan
| GER" she said, land trust to you a-bein'
| man enough to do what | axed We to.
| Black Adam Ball. he's got neW-faSh-
| toned rifle and SmOkeleSs cartridges
| and steel bullets; and in a few min
| utes he'll be hid in a clum o. sassafras
| back thar in yore, meadow, whar he
| means to set and pick off you More
| lands one by One-and you and Bill
| Dale fust, count o. the beatin's you
| two put on him! But pap had nothin
| to do with it, and rickOllect that! Now
| I've saved all O. yOre lives, cause ye
couldn't ha' heerd the sound o. his rifle
in all O. this noise; and We couldn't
| ha' seed the smoke o. his gun, cause
it don't make no smoke. Hold up the
white flag, John MOreland-hnrry!"
Babe thOughtlessly arose TO ner Ieer,
and one side Of her brown head ap-
peared before the sights Of her fathers
ritie-her father fired quickly, too
quickly for perfect aim-the bullet
burned it's way across her temple and
through her hair, and she crumpled at
Bill Dale's knees, totally unconscious.
Dale gave hoarse cry and gathered
her limp figure into his arms. John
MOrplan6 waved al0ft tho whito ha nd.