The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1860-07-24

W" Aio was Clotneu altOSetner In puck
skin, carried a long and very heavy riff
In his hand, wore at the bottom of hi
LETT suspender huge bowie knife, ant
had In his leathern belt a couple of pis
tolls half the length of his gun. He wa
tall, straight as an arrow, active as pan
ther in his motions, with dark complex
ION and luxuriant jetty hair, with a Sc
we're, iron like countenance, that seemed
never to have known a smile, and ewes o
vivid black, wild and rolling, and pierc
ing as the point of a dagger. His strange
advent inspired thrill of involuntary
fear, and many present unconsc iously
Srasped the handles of their side arms
Who are you, that thus presume to
lntrude among gentlemen without invita-.
ton y demanded Colonel Morton, essay
ing to COW down the stranger with bis
eye.
The latter returned his stare with com
pound interest, and laid his long bony
finger on his lip, as sign, but Of what,
the spectators could not imagine.
Who are you Speak, or | will cut
an answer out of your heart p shouted
Morton, almost distracted with rage by
the cool, sneering gaze Of the other, who
now removed his finger from his lip, and
placed his hand on the hilt of his mon
strous knife.
The fiery Colonel then drew his dag
ger, and was in the act of advancing up
on the stranger, when several caught him
and held HIM back, remonstrating
Let him alone, Morton, for God 5
sake. Don't you perceive that he is
crazy 2"
AT this moment Judge Webb, a man
OF shrewd intellect ard courteous man
ners, stepped forward and addressed the
intruder IN the most respectful manner
My good friend, presume you have
made mistake in the house. This is a
private meeting, where none but mem
bers are admitted"
The stranger did not appear to com
prehend the words, but he could not
tail to understand the wild aud depreca-
tory manner. His rigid features relaxed,
and moving TO table in the centre of the
hall, where there were materials aud i'm
pIements for wiring, he seized pen and
traced one line. 4" am deaf" lie then
held it up before the spectators as a sort
of apology for his own want of polite
ness.
Judge Webb took the paper, and wrote
question. Dear sir, will you be so
obliging as TO inform us what is your
business with the present meeting.
The other replied by delivering a let
ter inscribed on the back, I" To the citi-
zeus of Austin" They broke the seal
and read it aloud. 1t was from Hous
ton and showed the usual terse brevity of
his style
" Fellow citizens-Though in error,
and deceived by the arts of traitors,
will give you three days more TO decide
whether you will surrender the public
At the end Of that time YOU
will please let me know your decision.
" You were brave enough TO insult me
by your threatening looks ten minutes
ago. are you brave enough now to give
me satisfaction"
The stranger penned his reply, " l am
at your service"
Morton penned +" Name your terms"
The stranger traced without mo
ments hesitation Time, sunset this
evening; place, the left bank of the Col
arado, opposite Austin; weapons. rifles
distance, a hundred yards. Do not fail i
TO be in time"
lie then took three steps across the
lioor and disappeared as he had entered. (
What !" exclaimed Judge Webb, |
. is il possible Col. Morton, that YOU in
tend 10 fight that man? lie is a mute .
If not positive maniac. Such a meet I
ing, ! fear. will sadly larnish the Iustro
Of your laurels.
You are mistaken" replied Morton
with smile /; that mute is a hero.
whose fame stands in the record Of doz
en- battles. and at least half rs many
bloody duels. Besides, he is the favor
lie emissary and bosom friend of Hous.
on. Ii | have the good fortune TO kill
nim. | think it will tempt the President
% relract his vow against yentunng any
more on the field OF honor"
You know the man, then. Who is
le = asked twenty voices together.
Deaf Smith" said Morton cody.
Ii what you say be true, YOU are a
mailman yourself !" exclaimed Webb
Deaf Smith WAS never known 10 mss
lis mark. He has often brought down
avens in their most rapid flight. and
.llled Camanches at distance OF two
hundred and fifty yards
:" Say no more, answered Col, Nor
on, in tones OF deep determination
the thing is already settled | have
greed TO meet him. There can be no
isgrace in falling before such shot,
nd II succeed. my triumph Will con
er the greater glory"
Such was the general habit Of feeling
fevalent throughot AT that period
Towards evening vast crowd assem-
led at the place appointed, TO witness
he hostile meeting aud so great was
he popular recklessness as 10 affairs OF
he sort, that numerous and considerable
ums We're wagered on the result,
Al length the red orb of the summer
un touched the curved rim OF the west
TN horizon, covering il With crimson ;
nd gold, and filing the air with Hood ,
| burning glory and then the Two