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

appearance OF q stranger, whose mode
of entering was as extraordinary as his
looks and dress He did not knock at
the closed door-he did not seek admis
sion there at all; but climbing, unseen,
a small, bushy-topped, live oak, which
grew beside the wall he leaped without
sound or warning, through lofty win
dow He was clothed altogether. in
buckskin, and carried long and heavy
rifle in his hand. wore at the button of
his left suspender a large bowie knife
and had in his leather belt couple of
pistols half the length of his gun. lie
was tall, straight as an arrow, active as a
panther in his motions, with a dark
complexion, and luxuriant, jetty hair,
with a severe, iron-like countenance.
that seemed never to have known a
smile, and eyes of intense, vivid black,
wild and rolling, and piercing as the
point OF q dagger. His strange advent
inspired thrill of involuntary fear,
and many present unconsciously
grasped the handles of their sidc-arms.
Je"WhO are you that thus presumes to
lntrude among gentlemen, without in
yitation2' demanded Col Morton, fero-
ciously essaying to COW down the stran-
ger 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! or 1 will cut
an answer out of your heartl" shouted
Morton, almost distracted with rage by
the cool, sncering gaze of the other, who
now removed his finger from his lip.
and laid it on the hit of his monstrous
knife.
The fiery Colonel then drew his dag
ger, and was in the act of advancing
upon the stranger, when several caught
him and held him back, demonstrating
"Let hi alone, Morton, for Gods
sakel Do you not perceive that he is
crazy?"
At the moment, Judge Webb, a man
of shrewd intellect and courteous man
ners, stepped forward, and addressed
the intruder in most respectful man
ner:
"My good friend, | presume you have
made a mistake in the house. This is a
private meeting, where none but members
are admitted
The stranger did not appear to com
prehend the words; but he could not
fail to understand the mild and dcprcca-
tory manner. His rigid features relax
ed and moving to a table in the center
of the hall, where were materials and
implements for writing, he seized a pen
and traced one line: 81 am dcaf! He
then held it up as a sort of natural
apology for his own want of politoness.
Judge Webb took the paper, and
wrote Il question: "Dear sir, will you
be so obliging as to inform us what is
your business with the present meet
ing?' ..
The other responded by delivering a
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 tersc
brovity of his style
"FELIOW CITIzENs:-Thou Oh in cr-
ror, and deceived by the arts of traitors,
[ will give you three days more to de-
eide whether you will surrender the
public archives. At the end of that
time you will please let me know your
decision. SAM. HoUsrON.
After the reading, the deaf man
waited few seconds, as if for reply,
and then turned and was about to leave
the hall, when Colonel Morton inter
posed, 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?'h 90 ,71I40 YIflN
The stranger penned his reply; @"I
am at your servieel lhog0 E3tIT ant
Morton wrote again: "Who will be
your secondHi aul a. tlliaa abI
is.'Thc Stranger rsjoiped: "I am too
generous to seek an advantage, aud too
brave to fear any on the part of others;
therefore, l never need a second"
Morton penned: "Name your terms. "
The stranger traced without hesitation:
"Time, sunset this evening" place,
left bank of the Colorado, opposite Aus
tin; weapons, rifles; and distance, a hun
dred 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
it possible, Colonel Morton, that you in
tend to fight that man? He is a mute,
if not a positive maniac. Such a meet
ing, | fear, will sadly tarnish the lustre
of your laurels." "
"You are mistaken" replied Morton,
with smile; "that mute is hero,
whose fame stands in the records of a
dozen battles, and at least half as many
bloody duels. Besides, he is the favor
ite emissary and bosom friend of Hous-
ton. If | have the good fortune to kill
him, | think it will tempt the President
10 retract his vow against venturing any
more on the field Of honor"
"You know the man, then. Who is
he? who is hep asked twenty voices to-
gether.
"Deaf Smith" answered Morton,
coolly.
"Why, no. that can not bel Deaf
Smith was slain at San Jacinto," re-
marked Judge Webb.
"There again, your honor is mistak-
en-" said Morton. "Tho story OfSmith's
death was n mere fction. rot nm bv