The Chesterfield advertiser. [volume] (Chesterfield C.H., S.C.) 1884-1978, 1921-08-25

the death Of their kinsman. the
0oilath. John Moreland's strong voice
came to hiu through the din and roar !:
Don't show no part O. yoreself now,
Bill; ef ye do. yell shore be hitI"
Saie hred again, pumped u fresih,
cartridge Into the chamber Of his rife
and slipped another into tie magazine,
and arose behind the chestnut.
Down. Bill !" cried John Moreland.
II Dale heard, he gave no sign Of
It He fired four shots rapidly, and
before the wind had carried away the
ohnding smoke he was behind another
tree and shooting toward the Balls
again. Soon there came q short, loud
peal Of laughter from his left; he
turned mis- head and saw Ben Little
ford taking q careful aim at long
angle toward the side Of Q boulder.
Then Littleford fred, and q pun Of
stone dust showed that his bullet had
gone true to its mark.
whats that forf demanded Dale
I'VE haven't any ammunition to throw
away;"
"Why. Bill" replied Littleford,
didn't ye never bounce q bullet often
. rock and make 1t 60 toward q man
ahind Of q tree"
1t lasted hotly for tive hours, but
the casualties were comparatiyely
rev, because there was SO much cover
available. From the beginning the
Balls and the Turner's had the worst
OF 1t. which was due to uphill shoot
ing white whisky. and lack Of the
iron that makes real. fighting men.
The cartridges Of those below were
giving out: they had fred too many
shots needlessiy.
ITS about time to rush them" Dale
said to John Moreland, who had crept
up beside him.
jest give the word" Moreland
nodded.
A few minutes later, Bill Dale sent
the wings of his line down the noun
tainside. forming a half-circie of his
force once more; then the whole line
rushed. surrounded the enemy and
called for a surrender.
But the Balls and their kinsmen
wouldn't give in yet. They left their
cover and started to run, found them
selves facing Morelands and Little.
fords In every direction, dubbed their
rifles and fought II was not true
courage that prompted them to offer
resistance thus: 1t was utter despera
ton; they had never been givers of
mercy, therefore they did not expect
mercy. Dale's men fOrebore to fire
upon them, which was at Dale's COM
mand, and met them with dubbed
nnes. The woodland rang with the
sound Of wood and steel crashing
against wood and steel. Everywhere
there were grOans and threats and
curses from the losing side, Victorious
cries and further demands for q sur
render from the winners.
Bill Dale, ever a lover Of fair com
Dat. threw down his repeater to grap-
pie with q big North Carolinian whose
dubbed weapon had been knocked
from his hands The two fell and
rolled down the mountainside, locked
In each others arms.
And then one Of the Balls struck
Bill Dale across the head with the butt
OF his empty gun, and Bill Dale slack
ened his arms and lay a. one dead.
-
He was lying under cover In hand
carved black walnut fourposter, and
II was night, when he opened his eyes
again Above him he saw the bearded
faces Of Ben Littleford and John
Moreiand, and they looked hagEard
and anxious In the oil lamps yellow
light. Suddenly Moreland spoke:
"Dead-nothin'I" 1ubiiantly. Look,
Ben; he's done come toi Ye couidn't
put him In q cannon and shoot him
agfnst q cliff and kin him, Ben I
hope ye'rs a-feelin' all right, Bill,
shore"
Dale realized everything quite clear.
~. He put hand to his head; there
was wet cloth lying over the swollen
placs. - 81, 8. :.
.Ns 4ess N - I seSss 4 q