Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1850-05-24


as an arrow, active as panther in his
motions, with dark complexion and lux
uriant jetty hair, with severe, iron-like
countenance, that seemed never to have
known smile, and eyes of intense,
vivid black. wild and rolling, and piercing
as the point of dagger. His strange
advent inspired thrill of involuntary
fear, and many present unconciously
grasped the handles of their side arms.
"Who are you that presumes to in
trude among gentleman, without invita-
toni" demanded Col. Morton, ferocious-
ly essaying to COW down the stranger
with his eye.
The latter returned his stare with
compound interest, and laid his long
bony finger on his lip, as sign-but Of
what, the spectators could not imagine.
"Who are you? Speak, or will cut
an answer out of your hear,!" shouted
Morton, almost distracted with rage by
the cool sneering gaze of the other, who
now removed his finger from his lip, and
laid j: on the belt of his monstrous knife.
The fiery colonel then drew his dag
ger, and was in the act of advancing up
on the stranger, when several caught him
back, demonstrating.
"Let him alone, Morton, for Gods
sake. Do you not perceive he is crazy!"
AT that moment, Judge Webb, man
Of shrewd intellect and courteous man.
ners, stepped forward and addressed the
intruder in most respectful manner.
"My good friend, I presume you have
made mistake in the house. This is
aprivate meeting, where none but men,
bers are admitted"
The stranger did not appear to COM
prehend TIE words, but he could not fail
to understand the mild and depricatory
manner. His rigid features relaxed,
and moving to table in the center Of
the hall, where there were materials and
impliments for writing. he seized pen
and traced one line: 81 am deaf" He
then held it up before the spectators. as
a sort of natural apology for his own
want of politeness.
Judge Webb took the paper, and
wrote question. "Dear sir, will you
be so obliging as to inform us what is
your business with the present NEE ling!"
The other responded by delivering a
letter inscribed on the back, $40 the
citizens of Austin" They broke the
seal and read it aloud. II was from
Houston, and showed the usual terse
brev vity of his style:
yellow CITIzENs:-Though in er-
ror, and deceived by the arts of traitors,
/ will give you three more days to decide
whether 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
a few moments, as if for reply, and
then turned and was about to leave the
hall, when Col. 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 looks ten minutes
ago; are you brave enough now to give
me satisfaction
The stranger penned his reply: 81 am
at your service!"
Morton wrote again: "Who will be
your second!'
The stranger rejoined: 81 am too gem
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: "Name your terms"
The stranger traced, without a mo-
ment's hesitation: "Time, sunset this
evening; place, the left bank of the Col
orado, opposite Austin; weapons, rifles;
and distance, hundred yards. Do not
fail to be in time!''
He then took three steps across the
floor and disappeared through the win
dow as he had entered.
"What!'' exclaimed Judge Webb, sis
il possible, Col. Morton, that you intend
to fight that man! He is mute, if not
a positive maniac. Such meeting
fear, will sadly tarnish the lustre Of your
laurels."
"You are Mistaken" replied Morton,
with smile, ssthat mute is hero whose
fame stands in the record Of dozen
battles, and at least half as many duels.
Besides, he is the favorite emmissa.y and
bosom friend Of Houston. If l have
the good fortune to kill him, think il
will tempt the President to retract his
vow against ventureing any more on the
field of honor
"You know the man, then. Who is
he! Who is he!" asked some twenty
voices together.
"Deaf Smith," replied Morton coolly.
"Why no; that cannot be. Deaf
Smith was slain at San Jacinto," re-.
marked Judge Webb.
"There, again your hon2r is mistaken" )"
said Morton. "The story of Smiths
death was a mere fiction, got up by
Houston, to save the life of his favorite
from the sworn vengence Of certain Tex
ans, on whose conduct he had acted as a
spy. / fathomed the artifice twelve
months since. !"
ssIf what you say be true, you are a
mad-man yourself!" exclaimed Webb.
Deaf Smith was never known to miss
his mark. He has often brought down
m vens IN their ynost ranid f1i0hf and