Washington telegraph., 1850-05-01
and many present unconsclously grasped
the handles of their side-arms.


"Who are you, that thus presumes t,
in:rude among gentlemen, without an in
vitation?" demanded Col. Morton, fero
ger with his eye.
The latter returned his stare with com
pound interest, and laid his long 5ony fin
ger on his lip, as sign-but of what tn,
spectators could not imagine.
"Who are you? Speak! or I will Gu
an anovvor out or your nearI: shouted
Morton, almost distracted with rage at the
cool-sneering gaze of the other, who now
removed his finger from his lip, and laiG
it on 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, Morton, for Gods sake
Do you not perceive that he is crazy?"
At the moment, Judge Webb, man
of shrewd intellect and courteous manners
stepped forward, and addressed the intru.
der in a most respectful manner:
"My good friend, presume you have
made mistake in the house. This is a
private meeting. where none but members
are admitted
The stranger did not appear to compre-
Ihend the words. but he could not fail TO
understand the mild and deprecatory man
ner. His rigid features relaxed, and NOV
ing to table in the centre of the hall,
where there were materials and imple-
ments for writing, he seized a pen and
traced one line! Il am deaf" He then
held it up before the spectators, as sort
of natural apology for his own want of
politeness.
Judge Webb took the paper and wrote
a question. "Dear sir, will you be so
obliging as to inform us what is your bus
mess with the present meeting?'
| The other responded by delivering a
letter, inscribed on the back, "To the
citizens of Austin" They broke the seal
! : = read it aloud 1t was from Houston,
az, .howed the usual terse brevity Of his
style:
"FELLow-ClTIzENs:-Though in error,
and deceived by the arts of traitors, L will
give you three days more to decide
whether you will surrender the public
archives. At the end Of that time will
you please let me know your decision
SAM HoUsToN."
After the reading, the deafman waited
few seconds, as if 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 were brave enough to insult me by
your threatening look ten minutes ago;
are you brave enough now to give me sat-
isfaction!"
TIE stranger penned his reply: 81 am
at your service
Morton wrote again: "Who will be
your second!
The stranger rejoined: II am too gene
rous to seek an advantage; and too brave
to fear any on the part of others; there
fore never need the aid OF second.
Morton penned: ''Name your terms"
The stranger traced, without mo-
ment's hesitation: Time, sunset this
evening; place, the left bank of the Colo
RADIO, opposite Austin; weapons, rifles;
and distance, hundred yards. Do not
fail to be in time.
He then took three steps across the
f1oo:. and disappeared through the window
as he had entered.
What exclaimed Judge Webb, sis
it possible, COL Morton, you intend to
fight that man? He is a mute, If not a
positive maniac. Such meeting, L fear,
will sadly tarnsh The lustre of your !aurels.
"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
duels. Besides, he is the favorite emlssary
and bosom friend of Houston. If l have
the good fortune to kill him, think 1t
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 he?" asked twenty voices togeth-
er.
"Deaf Smith" answered Morton, ,coolly
"Why, no; that cannot be. Deaf Smith
was slain at San Jacinto," remarked
Judge Webb ;,
"There, again, your honor is mistaken.
said Norton "The story of Smiths death
was mere felton, got up by Houston to
save the life of his favorte from the sworn
vengeance of certain Texans, on whose
conduct he had acted as spy. fathom'
ed the artitice twelve months since.
"If what you say be true you are mao,
man yourselfn' exclaimed Webb. "Deai
Smith was never known to miss his marx
He has often brought down ravens IL
their most rapid flight, and killed Can
cbes and Mexicans at a distance of two
hundred and fifty yards
"Say no more," answered Col. Mof'oh
in tones of deep determination; "the thine
is already settled. l have already agreed
to meet him. There can be no disgrace
in falling before such shot. and' II
succeed, my triumph will confer the grea'
| or rIorvD'