Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1860-05-26

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tall, straight as an arrow, active as q panther
10 his motions, with dark complexion, and
luxurant jetty hair, with a severe, iron like
countenaDce, that seemed never to have
known a smile, and eyes of intense vivid
black, wild and rolling and piercing as the
point Of dagger. His strange advent in-
spired thrill of involuntary fenr, and many
! present unconsciousy grasped the handle OF
| their side arms
"Wbo are you, that thus presumes to in
trude among gentlemen without invitation y
demanded Col Morton, ferociously essaying
to COW down the stranger with his eye.
The latter returned his stare with com.
pound interest, and laid his long bony fingers
on his lip, as o sign-but Of what the inspec.
tors could not imagine.
"Wbo ore you? Speak or will cut an
answer out of your heart !" shouted orton
almost distracted with rage by the cool
sneering gaze of the other, who now removed
his fingers from his lips 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 him, when
several caught and held him back, remon.
| strating:
"Let him alone, Morton. for Gods sake
Do you not perceive that he is crazy?"
At that moment Judge Webb, a man OF
shrewd intellect and courteous manners, step.
ped forward and addressed the intruder in
most respectful manner.
"My good friend, presume you have made
| O mistake in the house. This Is private
meeting where none but members are ad-
mitted."
The stranger did not appear to comprehend
the words but he could not fail to understand
the mild and depreciatory manner. HIS
rigid features relaxed, and moving to table
in the centre of the hall, where there were
materials and implements for writing, he
seized pen and traced one line: 81 ON
deaf" He then held it up before the spec
tators, as a sort of natural apology Tor his
want Of politeness.
Judge Webb took the paper, and wrote
question Dear sir, will you be so oblglng
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 brevity of his style:
FELLOW CITIZENS Though ip error. and
deceived by the acts Of traitors, | will give
you three more days to decide whether you
will Surrender .he public archives. AT the
end Of that time you will please let me know
your decision. SAM HoUsToN.
After the reading, the man waited few
seconds, as if for q reply, and then turned to
leave the hall, when Colonel Morton inter-
posed, and sternly beckoned him 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 mo satisfac
ton? ?"
The stranger penned his reply: 81 am at
your service :"
Morton wrote again "Who will be your
second ?"
The stranger reioined 81 ON too generous
to seek an advantage, and too brave to lear
any on the part of others therefore | never
need the aid Of second"
Morton penned "name your terms"
The stranger traced without moments
hesitation "Time, sunset this evening place,
! the left bank of the Colorado, opposite
| Austin; weapons, rifles, and distance hun
dred Yards. DO not fail to be in time! !"
| He then took three steps across the hoor
and disappeared through the window, as he
had entered.
"What! I" exclaimed Judge Webb, ais it
possible, Colonel Morton, that you intend to
fight that mani He is mute, if not q posi-.
tive maniac Such a meeting, l fear, Will
sadly tarnish your laurels."
you are mistaken" replied Morton, with
o smile "that mute is hero, whose lame
stands in the record of dozen battles, and
at least half as many bloody duels Besides,
he is the Gavorite emissary md bosom friend
of Houston. If ! have the good fortune to
kill him, | think it will tempt the President
to retract his vow against venturing any
more on the field Of honor"
"You know the man, then. Who is he p
asked twenty voices together.
deaf Smith" answered Morton coolly.
"Why, no, that cannot be. Deal Smith
was slain at San Jacinto," remarked Judge
Webb.
"There, again, your honor is mistaken
said NJ orton. The story Of Smiths death
was O mere fiction, got up by Houston TO
save the life of his favorite from the sworn
vengeance of certain Texans, on whose con
duct be had acted as spy. | fathomed the
artifice twelve months since"
"lf what you say be true you are madmau
yourselfw exclaimed Webb. deaf Smith
was never known to miss his mark. lie has
often brought down ravens in their most
rapid flight, and killed Camanches and Mex
leans at distance Of two hundred and fifty
yardsw
"Say no more" answered Colonel Morton
in tones Of deep determination "the thing
is settled. ! have already agreed to meet
him. There can be no disgrace in falling
before such shot, and if l succeed, my
triumph will confer the greater gloryw
Such was the general habit OF thought and
feeling prevalent throughout Texas at that
period.
Towards evening a vast crowd assembled
at the place appointed to witness the hostile
meeting and so great was the popular
recklessness as to affairs Of this so.t, that
numerous and considerable sums we're wa
gered Oh the result. At length the red ort
of the summer sun touched the curved rim o
the western horizon, covering it all with
crimson and gold, and filling the air with {
food of burning glory; and then the two
mortal antagonists, armed with long, pom
derous rifles, took their stations back to back
and at preconcerted signal-the waving o
white ndkerchief-walked slowly ant
steadily off in opposite directions, counting
their steps until each had measured fifty
They both completed the given number abou
the same instant, and then wheeled, each t.
aim and fire when he choose. AS the dis
tance was great, both paused for some Sc
conds-loug enough for the beholders to fasl
| their eyes from one to the other, and mari
! the striking contrast betwixt them. Th'