The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1857-11-19

his mark. lie has often brought down
ravens in their most rapid fight, and
killed Camanches and Mexicans at a
distance Of two hundred and fifty
yardsl'
"Say no more!' answered Colonel
Morton, in tones Of deep determination;
'the thing is already settled 1 have
already agreed to meet him. There
can be no disgrace in falling before
such a shot, and if I succeed my tri-
umph will confer the greater glory!"
Such was the general habit of thot
and feeling prevalent throughout Texas
at that period
Toward evening a vast crowd as
sembled at the place appointed, to wit
ness the hostile meeting, and so great
was the popular recklessness as to af-
fairs of the sort, 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
it all with crimson and gold, and
| filling the air with a flood of burning
glory; and then the two mortal an
tagonists, armed with long, ponderous
rifles, took their stations back to back,
and at preconcerted signal the wa
wing Of a white dkerchief-walked
slowly and steadily off, in opposite di
rections, counting their steps, until each
had measured fifty. They both compile
ted the given number about the same
instant, and then they wheeled, each to
aim and fire when he chose. As the
distance was great, both paused for some
seconds--long enough for the spectators
to fash their eyes from one to the other,
and mark the striking contrast betwixt
them. The face Of Colonel Morton was
calm and smiling, but the smile it bore
had most murderous meaning. On
the contrary, the countenance of Deaf
Smith was stern and passionless as ev-
er. A side view of his features might
have been mistaken for a profile done
in cast iron. The one, too, was dress
ed in the richest cloth, the other in
smoke-tintcd leather But that made
no difference in Texas then, for the
heirs Of heroic courage were all con-
sidered pcers-the class of interiors en-
braced none but towards.
Presently two rifles exploded with
Simultaneous roars. Colonel Morton
gave a prodigious bound upward, and
dropped to the earth a corpse Deaf
Smith stood erect, and Immediately be-
gan to reload his rifle; aud then, having
finished his brief task, he fastened away
into the adjacent forest
Three days afterward, Gen. Houston,
accompanied by Deaf Smith and ten
other men, appeared in Austin, and,
without further opposition, removed the
State papers.
The history of the hero Of the fore
going anecdotc was one Of the most ex.
traordinary ever known in the Vest
He made his advent in Texas at an ear
ly period, and continued to reside there
until his death, which happened few
years ago. but, although, he had many
warm friends, no one could ever ascer.
tain the land Of his birth, or a single
glcam Of his previous biography
When he was questioned on the sub
ject, he laid his finger on his lip, and if
pressed more urgently, his brow writhed,
and his dark eye seemed to shoot sparks
Of livid fire! lie could write with as
tonishing correctness and facility, con-
sidering his situation; and, although de-
MED the exquisite pleasure and priceless
advantages Of the sense of hearing, ma
ture had given him ample compensation,
by an eye, quick and far-seeing as an
eagles; and a smell, keen and incredi-
BILE as that of raven. He could dis
cover objects moving miles away in the
far-of prairie, when others could per
ceiye nothing but earth and sky; aud
the rangers used to declare that he
could catch the scent of a Mexican or
| Indian at as great distance as a buz.
zqrd could distinguish the odor of
dead carcass -.-..-- .. ...a.
1t was these qualities which fitted him
so well-fora spy, in which capacity he
rendered invaluable. services to Hous-
tons army during the war of indepen-
dence. lie always went alone, and gen
orally obtained the information desired.
His habits in private life were equally
singular. He could never be persuaded
to sleep under the roof of a house, or
even to use a tent-cloth. Wrapped in
his blanket he loved to lie out in the
open air, under the blue canopy of pure
ether, and count the stars, or gaze, with
a yearning look, at the melancholy
moon 20 When not employed as a spy
or guide, he subsisted by hunting, be-
ing often absent on solitary excursions
for weeks and even months together, in
the wilderness. He was a genuine son
Of nature, grown-up child of the
woods aud prairie, which he worhshiped
with sort of Pagan alteration. Ex-
cluded by his in6rmities from cordial
fellowship with his kind, he made the
inanimate things fthe earth his friends,
and entered by the hearts own adoption
into brotherhood with the luminaries of
heaven! Wherever there was land or
water, barren rocks or tangled brakes of
wild waving cane, there was Deaf Smiths
home, and there he was happy; but in
the streets ofgreat cities, in all the great
thoroughfares of men, wherever there
was fattery or fawning, base cunning or
craven fear, there was Deaf Smith an
alien andan exile,
Strange SOUL he hath departed on the
long journey, away among those high,
bright stars, which were his night-lamps;
and he hath either solved or ceased to
DOnder the deem mvsterU of the oo,;c