Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1855-12-20

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 a sign-but of what, the spectators
could not imagine.
who are you? Speak. OF cut an answer
out of your heartn shouted Morton almost dis,
tracted with rage by the cool, sneering gaze Of
the other, who now removed his finger from
his lip, and laid 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 that moment Judge Webb, man of
shrewd intellect and courteous manners, step
ped forward, and addressed the intruder in a
most respectful manner:
"Ny good friend, Ipresume you nave made
mistake in the house This is a private
meeting, where none but members are admit
ted"
The stranger did not appear to comprehend
the words, but he could not fail to understand
the mild and deprecatory manner His rig
ged features relaxed, and moving to a table in
the centre of the hall, where there were mate
rials and implements for writing, he seized q
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 polite
ness
Judge Webb took the paper, and wrote a
question: Dear sir, will you be SO obliging as
to inform us what is your business with the
present meeting?'
The other responded by delivering letter
inscribed on the back. "To the citizens of
Austin" They broke the seal and read it
aloud. 1t was from Houston, and showed the
usual terse breyity of his style:
''Fel1ow Citizens Though in error, and
deceived by arts of traitors, will give you
three days more to decide whether you surren-
der the public archives. At the end of that
time You will please let me know your dccis-
ion. SAM IIoUsToS."
After the reading, the deaf man waited 4
few seconds, as if for a reply; 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 Nor
ton wrote: "You were brave enough to insult
me by your threatening looks ten minutes ago;
are you brave enough to give me satisfac-
tion?'
The stranger penned his reply, Il am at
your service"
Morton wrote again WHO will be your Sc
coud?'
"The stranger rejoincd 81 am too gcner-
Gus to seek an advantage, and too brave to fear
any on the part of others; therefore never
need the aid of a second"
Colonel Morton penned; 'sNamc youf terms. "
The stranger traced without moments hesi-
tation: "Time, sunset this evening place,
the left bank of the Colorado, opposite Austin;
weapons, rifles; and distance one hundred
yards. Do not fail to be in timet"
He then took three steps|acros-.Ae~1oor,
and disappeared through the window as he had
entered
"What." exclaimed Juds sJ Webb, "is it
possible, COL Morton, that you intend to fight
that man? He is mute, if not positive
maniac. Such a meeting, L fear, will sadly
tarnish the lustre Of your laures."
"You are mistaken" replied Morton with
smile "that mute is a hero whose fame stands
in the records of dozen battles, and at least
as many bloody duels. Besides he is the ia
vorite emissary and bosom friend Of Houston.
If have the coed fortune to kill him, think
it will tempt the President to retract his vow.
"You know the man, then. Who is he =
"Deaf Smith," answered Morton, cody.
"Why no; that cannot be. Deaf Smith
was slain at San Jacinto," remarked Judge
Webb.
"There again your Honor is misaken," said
Morton. "The story of Smiths death was a
mere fiction, got up by Houston, to save his
favorite from the vengeance of certain Texans
in whose conduct he had acted as spy. |
fathomed the artifce twelve months since"
eff 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 ravens in their rapid flight,
and killed Camanches and Mexicans at a dis
tance of two hundred and fifty yards"
"Say no moro" answered Colonel Morton,
in tones of deep determination, 'the thing is
already settled I have agreed to meet him.
There can be no disgrace in failing before
such shot, and if succeed, my triumph will
confer the greater glory"
Such was the general habit Of though and
feeling prevalent throughout Texas at that Pc
riod.
Towards evening vast crowd assembled at
the place appointed to witness the hostile meet
ing, and so great was the popular reeklessness
as to affairs of the sort, that numerous and con-
siderable sums were wagered on the result
At length the red orb of the summer touched
the turvid rim of the western horizon, cover
ing it all with crimson and gold, and filling
the air with food of burning glory; and the
two mortal antagonists, armed with long pom
derous rifles, took their station, back to back,
and at preconcerted signal-the wavering Of
handkerchief slowly and steadily
in opposite directions, counting their steps,
until each had measured fifty. They both com
r,eted the piyen number about the same instant