Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1853-09-21

intellect and courteour manners interposed in a
most respectful manner:
My good friend, presume you have made q
mistake in the house.-This is a private meeting
where none but members are admitted" .#
The stranger did not appear to comprehend the
words, but could not fail to understand the mild
laxed and moving to table in the centre of the
hall where there were materials and implements
for writing, he seized pen and traced one line:
81 am deaf" He then held it up before the spec
tators as a sort of natural apology for his own
want of politeness. = -.
Judge Webb took this paper, and wrote ques-
ton: "Dear sir-will you be SO obliglng as to in
form us what is your business with the present
meeting! .-..-.-r....... d. ...-.-s.
The othor responded by delivering letter in
scribed the back. s.To the citizens ofAustin.' 9
They broke the seal and read it aloud. 1t was
from Housto n, and showed the usual .terse breyi-
ty of his styles, s-.. =, -...z .,
"Fellow Citizens:-Though in error, and de-
ceved by the arts of traitors, will give you three
more days to decide whether you will surrender
the public archieves. At the end of that time
you will please let me know your decision.
H. .=s- .s...--,- SAM. Houston. ~
After the reading, the deaf man waited a few
moments as if for a, reply, and then turned and
was about to leave the hall, when Colonel Nor
ton interposed, and sternly beckoned him back to
the table. The stranger obeyed, and Morton
wrote: ~+r4 s..7,-s.. s3.f<sa~ r-.sg-3s rsrss.
You were brave enough to insult me by your
threatning looks ten minutes ago; are yon brave
enough to give me satisfacton?' esft=a
The stranger penned his reply; Il am at your
Morton wrote .sWho will be your second!''
seek an advantage. and too brave to fear any IN
the part of others; therefore never need the aid
of a second" :sf Esr< .rs41- s.t /.
Morton penned-"Name your terms" '.sa-
The stranger traced without moments hes-
tation:-Tme, sunset this evening; place, the
leftibanki of the Colorado opposite Austin; wea-
pons, rifles; and distance, one hundred yards
Do not fail to be in time.'' ssass2
He then took three steps across the room, and
disappeared through the window as he had enter
ed. r. ..-...szsssE s-s.s ....sa 414 -
"What!'' exclaimed Judge Webb" "is it possible
that you intend to fight that man? He is a mute,
if not positive maniac. Such meeting, fear,
will sadly tarnish your laurels.''
j "You are mistaken" replied Morton with a
smile, s'That man is a hero, whose fame stands
in the record of dozen of battles, and at least
half fthat many bloody duels. Besides he is the
favorite emissary and bosom friend of Houston
If have tho rood To hill ;pl1
wills tempt the President to retract his vows
against venturing any more on the field of hon.
orr #-s5<
''You know the man then. Who is hep
asked twenty voices together.
+ t'Deaf Smith, answered Morton cody.
s'Why, no; that cannot be. Deaf Smith was
slain at San Jacinto, remarked Judge Webb.
sfThere, again, your honor is Mistaken said
Morton. "The story of Deaf Smiths death was
of his favnrite from the sworn vengence of certain
Texans, on whose conduct he had acted as spy.
fathomed the artifce twelve months since''
'sIf what you sayis true. you are mailman
yourself! - exclaimed Webb. "Deaf Smith was
never known to miss his mark He has often
brought down ravens in their most rapid fight
and Mexicans, at the distance of two hundred and
fifty yards. ~~'@,~s
"Say no more answered Col. Morton in tones
of deep determination; "the thing is already set.
| tied. T have agreed to meet him. There can be
no disgrace in falling before such shot, and if
succeed my triumphs will confer the greates
glory" 21iz -ssses'7@ a'5S' s.'s @:.i @#
Such was the general habit of thought and feel
ling throughout Texas at that phriod E p -.
l. Towards evening vast crowd had assembled
at place appointed to witness the hostile meet
ing-and SO great was the popular recklessness as
to affairs of the sort, that numerous and consider
able sums were wagered on the result At length
the red orb of the summer touched the curved rim
of the Western horizon, coveringit all with Grim
son and gold and fill led the air with flood of burn
ling glory / and then the two mortal antagonists
armed with long ponderous rifles took their sta
/ ton back to back and at a preconcerted signal
1 the waving of: a white hankerchief--walked slow
4 ly and steadily in opposite directions, counting
their steps,, until each had measured fifty. The
both completed the given number about the sam
instant; and they then wheeled, each to aim an
i fire when he choose. AS the distance was. s
great both paused for some seconds-long enoug
j for the beholders to- flash their eyes from one
the other, and mark the striking contrast betwiz
4 them. ~ The face of Col Morton was calm an
J, smiling, but the smile it bore had most murder
Gus meaning On the contrary, the countenanc
! 1of Deaf Smith was as stern and passionless a
ever. A side view of his features might hav
been mistaken for profile done in cast.iron. Th