Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1858-02-12

l fathemed the artifee twelve months
since"
" If 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 most rapid fight, and
killed Camanehes and Mexicans at a dis
tance of two hundred and fifty yards !'
ssSay no more" answered Morton, in
tones of deep determination "the thing
is settled l have already agreed to meet
him. There can be no disgrace in fall
ing before such shot. and if / succeed
my triumph viii confer the greater hon
orr
Such was the general habit of thought
and feeling prevalent throughout Texas
at that period.
THE DUEL.
Towards evening vast crowd assem-
bled at the place appointed, to witness
the hostile meeting; and so great was
the popular recklessness as to affairs of
this description, that numerous and heavy
bets were wagered O. the result.
At length the red orb of the summer
sun touched the lurid rim of the western
horizon, covering it all with crimson gold,
and filing the air with food ce burning
glory, and then two mortal antagonists,
armed with long ponderous rifles, took
their stations, back to back, and at a
precoucerted signal .-t!.e waving of a
white walked slowly and
steadily off iE the opposite directions,
counting their steps until each had mea-
sured fifty. They both had comp.-sc1
the given number about the same instant
and then they wheeled, each was to aim
and fire when he chose.
As the distance vas great, both paused
for two second5-long enough for the be-
holders to flash their eyes from one to
the other, and mark the striking COT
t-aSt between them. The face of Col
Morton was calm and smiling; but the
smile it bore had a strong :lurderous
meaning. On the contrary, the counsen-
ance of Deaf Smith was stern and pas.
sionless as ever. A side view of his fea,
lures might have been mistaken for rro
/ file done in cast iron. The one, too, wa:
dressed in the richest cloth, the other II
smoke tinted leather. But that made M
difference in Texas then: the heirs o
heroic courage were all considered peer
the class of interiors embraced nom
but towards.
Presently two rifles exploded vita sim
trltaneous roars. Col. Morton gave
prod gi1us bound upward, and fell TO til
earth corpse Deaf Smith stood erec
and Immediately began to reload his rifle
, and then having completed his brief tasE
, strobe away to the adjacent forest.
Three days afterwards Houston, az
companied BY Deaf Smith and Ten othe
; men appeared in Austin, and without ful
: ther opposition removed the state paper
HABITS AND DISPOSITION OF DEA
SMITH.
The history of the hero of the foreg,
ing anecdote was one of the most extr;
ordinary ever known in the west. II
made his advent in Texas at an early p'
riod, and continued to reside there uni
his death, which happened some tv
years ago but, although he had man
warm personal friends, no one could ev'
ascertain the land Of his birth, or sing
, CLEAN of his previous Biography
When he was questioned on The su6je
:, he laid his finger on his lips; and
pressed more urgently his brows writh'
and his dark eye seemed to shoot spar
of liyid fire. He could write with g
tonishing correctness and facility consi
eriDg his situation; and although deni
the exquisite pleasure and priceless a
vantage Of the sense Of hearing, natu
had done much in compensation, by ey
quick and far-seeing as an eagles an,
smell, keen and incredible as that Of
" raven. He could discover objects rrc
ing miles away II he Gar Of prairie, wh
!, others could perceive nothing bat ea
: ard sky and the rangers used to decl;
. he could catch the scent of Mexican
'e an Indian at as freat a distance as b
III zard could distinguish lie oaaT of Z d.
~ carcass.
10 1t was these qualities which fitted 4
90 well for a spy, in which capacity
Is rendered invaluable services to Ho
ity tons army daring the war Of Indepe
ence. lie always went alone and gen
on aIlv chained the information 1esir
His habits IN private life we're equs
lth singular. He could never be r