Burlington hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1845-185?, 1850-03-28
Judge Webb took the paper, and wrote


letter inscribed on the back, ''To the citi-
zens of Austin" They broke the seal and
read it aloud. 1t was from Houston, and
showed the usual ierse breyity OF his style:
Fellow Citizens Though in error. and
deceived by the arts oftrai,ors, l will give
you three days more TO decide, whethe.
you will, surrender the public archives
At the end of that time you will please
let me know your decision.
SAM HousToN."
After the reading, the deaf man waited
few seconds, as ii for reply, aud then
turned and was about to leave the hall,
when Col. Morton interposed, and stern
ly beckoned him back 10 the table. The
stranger obeyed, and Morton wrote:-
You were brave enough TO insult me by
your threatening looks len minutes ago;are
you brave enough now to give me sa,islac-
tion?"
The stranger penned his reply: II am
at your service!"
Morton' wrote again: "Who will be
your second" -s.-
Morton penned: Shame your terms. !"
The stranger traced without moments s
hesitation: "Time, sunset this evening;
place, the left bank of the Colorado, op-
posite Austin; weapons, rifles, and dis
lance hundred yards. DO no, fail to be
in tlme!"
He then took the steps across the
floor and disappeared through the window
as he had entered.
sWhat," exclaimed Judge Webb, 'is
it possible, Col. Morton, that you intend
TO fight that man! He is mute, if not pos
tive maniac. Such aineeting, i fear, will
sadly tarnish the lustre of yourlaurels."
"You are mistaken" replied Morton,
with smile; ''lhat mute is a hero, whose
fame stands in the record Of dozen bat
ties, and at least hall as many bloody due's
Besides, he is the fayorite emi>sary and
bosom friend of Houston. If | have the
good fortune to kill him, | think it will
tempt The President 10 Ietract his VOW
against venturing any more Oh the field Of
honor"
"You know the man, then. Who is
hep" asked twenty voices together.
Deaf Smith," answered Morton, cool
ly.
why, no; tina: cannot be. Deaf Smith
was slain al San Jacinto, remarked Judge
Webb.
"There again, your honor is mistaken
said Norton. The story of Smiths death
was mere fiction; got upby Houston to
save the life of his iayprite from the sworn
vengeance Of certain Texans, Oh whose
conduct he had acted as a spy. li'thomed
the arl!iice tw eivc months since
- III naat yasrs~astja iine. yon are
a man yourself exclaimed Webb
Deaf Smith was never known TO miss Iii,
mark. lie has often brought down raw
ems in their most rapid flight, and killed
Camanches and Mexicans at distance Of
two hundred and fifty yards"
Say 10 more answered Col. Morton,
in tones Of deep determination, 1.-THE thing
is already settled. have already agreed
to meet him. There can be no disgrace
in falling before his shot, and i'll succeed
my triumph viii! confer the greater glory!'
Such was the genesal habit of thought
and feeling prevalent throughout Texas at
laAt pe,iot.
Towards evening a vast crowd assem-
hied at The p ace appointed TO witness the
hostile meeting; and SO great was the
popular rechlesSness, as TO affairs OF the
sor', that numerous and considerable
sums were wagered on the result. AT
length the red orb Of the summer sun
touched the curved rim Of the western
horizon, covering il all with crimson and
gold, and filling the air with flood o.
burning glory and then the two mortal
antagonists, armed with long panderous
rifles, took their stations back 10 back and
al preconcerted signal waving Of
white handkerchief - walked slowly and
steadily off in opposite directions, counting
their steps ill each one had measured fiji
ty. They both completed the given num-
Der about the same instant, and then they
heeled, each 70 aim and fire when he
chose. As the distance was great, both
paused for some seconds-long enough for
the brholsiers to fash their eyes from one
to the other, ard mark the striking con-
trost bctwixt them. The face OF Col.
Morton was calm and smiling, but the
smile il bore had most murderous mean
ing. On the contrary, the countenance Of
Deaf Smith was stern and passionless as
ever. a side view of his features tGight
have been mistaken for a profile done in
east iron. The one, too, was dressed in
the richest cloth, the other in smoke tint
Cd leather. Blu, that made no difference
in Texas then; for the heirs Of heroic
are all considered peet>--ihe class
of interiors embraced nothing but cow
ards.
Presently two rifles exploded with 81
roars. Col. Morton gave
prodigeous bound upwards, and dropped
10 the earth corpse. Deaf Smith stood
erect, and immediately began 20 reload
his rifle, and then, having finished his
brief task, he FASTENED away into the adj
jacent forest. --. ..--.
Three days afterwards General Hous-
ton accompanied by Deaf Smith and ten
more men, appeared in Austin, and with
out further opposition removed the state
papers.
TIE Morgan Journal, Jacksonville, Hi
nos, gives the following queer account Of
a new propelllng power on railroads
"The wind tried its hand at running
on the railroad yesterday, and
after driving the car some miles, and run