The mountain sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1844-1853, 1850-04-11

"Who are you! Speak! or will cut
an answer out of your heart!" shouted
Morton, almost distracted with rage by
the cool-sneering gaze, of the other, who
now removed his finger from his lip.
and laid it OH the hilt of his monstrous
knife.
The fiery colonel then drew his dagger,
and was in the act Of advancing upon the
stranger, when several caught him and
held him back demonstrating.
LET him alone, nj ortcn, for God S sake.
! Do you not perceive that he is crazy?"
At that moment Judge Webb. man
Of shrewed intellect and courteous man
ners. stepped forward, and addressed the
intruder in a most respectful manner:
my good friend, presume you have
made a mistake in the house. This is a
private meeting, where none but members
are admitted"
The stranger did not appear 10 compre-
hend the words, but he could not fail to
understand the mild and Geprecalory man
ner. His rigid features relaxed, and mo-
wing TO Il table in the centre of the hall.
where there were materials and imple
ments for wiring, he seized a pen and
traced ore line: 81 am deaf" He then
held it up before the spectators, as a sort
of natural apology for his own want of po-
liteness.
Judge Webb took the paper and wrote
a question. "Dear Sir, will you be so
obligtng as 10 inform us what is your bus
mess with the present meeting.
The other responded by delivering a
letter inscribed on the back, ITO the cit-
zens of Austin They broke the seal
and read il aloud. 1t was from Houston,
and showed the usual terse brevity of his
style:
"FeHoac- Ctizens:-T in error,
and deceived by the arts Of traitors, will
give you three days more TO decide wheth-
er you will surrender the public archives.
At tie end of that time you will please let
me know your decision.
SAM. HoUsToN."
After the reading, the deaf mai waited
few seconds, as ii for reply, and then
turned and was about to leave the hall,
when Colonel Morton interposed, and
sternly beckoned HIM back TO the table.
The stranger obeyed, and Morton wrote:
You was brave enough TO insult me by
your threatening looks ten minutes ago;
are you brave enough now 10 give me sat-
isfaction?'
The stranger penned his reply: 81 am
at your service!'
Morton wrote again: wv ho will be your
second?"
The stranger rejoined: 81 am too gen
erous TO seek an advantage; and too
brave to fear any on the part of others;
therefore | never need the aid of Sec
ond" .-
Morton penned: "Nam you terms
The stranger traced without a mo-
ment's hesitation: "rime, sunset this e.
vening; place, left bank of the Colorado,
opposite AUSTIN; weapons, rifles; and dis
tance, hundred yards. Do not fail to be
in tme!"
He then took three steps across the
floor, and disappeared through the window
as he had entered.
"What!'' exclaimed Judge Webb, sis
it possible Colonel Morton, that you in
tend TO fight that man! He is mute, if
not positive maniac. Such meeting,
! fear. viii sadly tarnish the lustre of your
! laurels.' at .~ra-a
.You are mistaken replied Morton,
! with smile; '.that mute is hero whose
fame stands in the record of dozen bat
ties, and at least half as many bloody du-
| els Besides, he is the favorite emissary
and bosom friend of Houston. If | have
the good fortune 10 kill him, thirk it will
tempt the President TO retract his vow
! against venturing any more on the field of
| honor"
! "You know the man then. Who is
he? Who is her. asked twenty voices to-
| fether. al FL .,s----3 -..r ..--. .-r
deaf Smith," answered Morton coolly.
"Why no, that cannot be. Deaf Smith
was slain at San Jacinto," remarked Judge
Webb. 1t
"There again, your honor is mistaken
said Morton. '.The story of Smiths S
death was mere fiction, got up by Hous-
| ton 10 save the life of his favorite from the
sworn vengeance of certain Texans, on
whose conduct he had acted as a spy
/ fathomed the artiice twelve months
since.' E rs-..r.--.
Elf what you say be true, you are a
madman yourself!" exclaimed Webb
s.Deaf Smith was never known TO miss his
mark. He has often brought down ravens
in their most rapid flight, and killed Ca
manches ard MexIcans distance of $50
yards.
.'Say no more,' answered Col. Morton
in tones of deep determinations; "the thing
is already settled. | have already agreed