The spectator., 1922-04-14
CHAPTER XVllI-Continued.

Soon the thunder of the many rifles became almost steady roar The air was filled with the pungent odor the magazine of his repeater. and sank behind the big chestnut to fill 1t again with cartridges from his belt. Bullets now whlned on both sides of him; they cut grecnish white furrows in the bark of both sides of the tree. and knocked up little spurts of black earth to his right and to his left they cut off twigs within an arms reach of him. A dozen Balls were now firing at him, seeking to avenge the death of their kinsman, the Goliath. John Moreland's strong voice came to him through the din and roar:
 Don't show no part O yoreself now. Bill; of ye do, yell shore be hit '"
 Dale fired again, pumped fresh cartridge into the chamber of his rifle and slipped another into the magazine, and arose behind the chestnut
 Down, Bill :" cried John Monland.
 If Dale heard. he gave no sign of 1t. He fired four shots rapidly. and before tee wind had carried away the biinding smoke he was behind another tree and shooting toward the Balls again. Soon there came short, loud peal Of laughter from his left; he turned his head and saw Ben Little ford taking a careful aim at a long angle toward the side of a boulder Then Littleford fired, and a puff of stone dust showed that his bullet had gone true to its mark.
 What's that for?" demanded Dale We haven't any ammunition to throw Away!"
 Why, Bill" replied Litteford didn't ye never bounce bullet offen rock and make 1t go toward man ahind of a tree?"
 It lasted hotly for two hours. but the casualties were comparatively few. 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.
 
 giving out; they had fired too many shots needlessly.
 Its about time to rush them" Dale said to John Moreland, who had crept up beside him.
 Jest give the word" Moreland nodded
 few minutes later, Bill Dale sent sha .>f b ,l ,I tainside. forming n half-circle of his force once more: then the whole line rushed, surrounded the enemy and called for surrender
 But the Balls and their kinsmen wouldn't give in yet. They left their cover and started 10 run, found them selves facing Morelands and Little lords in every direction, clubbed their rifles and fought IL was not true courage that prompted them to offer resistance thus: it was utter despera- ton; they had never been givers of mercy, therefore they did not expect mercy. Dale's men fcrebore 10 fire upon them. which was at Dale's com mand. and met them with cubbed rifles. 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 sur render from the winners.
 Bill Dale. ever lover of fair com bat, threw down his repeater to grap-  pie with big North Caroliniaa whose clubbed weapon had been knocked from his hands. The two fell and rolled down the mountainsde. 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 as one dead.
  He was lying under cover in hand | carved black walnut fourposter, and | 1t was night. when he opened his eyes i again. Above him he saw the bearded | faces of Ben Littleford and John | Moreland. and they looked haggard | and anxious in the oil lamps yellow light. Suddenly Moreland spoke:
 .'Dead-nothin'! jubilantly Look. Ben; he's done come to! Ye couldn't | put him in a cannon and shoot him aginst clift and kin him, Ben! | hope we're a-feelin all right, Bill, shore"
 Dale realized everything quite clear ly. He put hand to his head; there was a wet cloth lying over the swollen place.
 He shore give ye buster of a lick" drawled a voice that Dale in- stantly recognized as that of his wor- shiper, Ky Heck. "Danged ef Gale Moreiand didn't might nigh it beat him to death. Bill
 Many men crowded to the bedside and smiled at him, and he smiled back st them, Soon he asked;