When no answer has been filed on or before the time for filing an answer as stated in the notice, the notice having been published as required by § 49-19-1820 or if answer is filed and the cause shall be decided for the plaintiff the court by its decree shall grant the relief prayed for and the decree for the delinquent taxes and penalty shall include all costs of suit and a reasonable attorney’s fee to be fixed by the court, recoverable the same as the delinquent tax in the same suit. By such decree the court shall direct the sheriff to sell the land described in the complaint to the highest bidder for cash in hand at public outcry at the courthouse door of the county wherein the suit is pending after having first advertised such sale once each week for three consecutive weeks in some newspaper published in the county. Such advertisement may include all the lands described in the decree and ordered sold.