, 1861-04-18

smile. "That mute Is q hero Of dozen battles
and as many bloody duels, and Is the bosom friend
Of Houston. II Ihave the good fortune to kill
him, think the President will retract his vow
against venturing any more on the field Of honor"
a You know the man, then Who is hei"
asked twenty voices together.
"Deaf Smith," said Morton coOlly.
"H what you say Is trtie you are O mailman
yourself" exclaimed Webb. Deaf Smith was
never known to miss his mark. He has often
shot ravens in their most rapid fight, and
killed Camanches two hundred and fffty yards dis
tant" H
"Say no more" answered Col. Morton, in tones
Of deep determination +" the thing Is already SET
tied. have agreed to meet him. There can be
no disgrace in falling before such shot, and II
succeed, my triumph will confer on me the greater
glory"
Such was the general habit Of fselifg prevalent
in Texas OF that period.
Towards evening vast crowds assembled at the
place appointed, to witness the hostile meeting
and so great was the popular recklessness Of Rf-
fairs Of that sort, that numerous and considerable
sums were wagered on the result.
Atlength the red orb Of the summer sun touched
the curved rim Of the western horizon, covering II
all with crimson and gold, and filling the air with
food Of burning glory, and then the two mortal
antagonists, armed with long ponderous rifles,
took theirstations, and ct the preconcerted signal
the waving Of q white handkerchief walked
slowly and steadily of in opposite directions,
counting their steps until each had measured fifty
They both completed their given number about
the same time, and they wheeled, each to aim and
fire when he chose. As the distance was great,
both paused for some seconds-long enough for the
behOlders to fash their eyes from one to the other
and mark the striking contrast.
The face Of Col. Morton was calm and smiling,
but the smile Il bore had o murderous meaning.
On the contrary, the countenance Of Deaf Smith
was stern and passonless as ever. A side view Of
his features might be taken for profile done in cast
iron. The one, too, was dressed in richest cloth
the other in smoke-tinted leather But that made
no difference in Texas then for the heirs Of heroic
courage were all considered peers the class Of in
leriOrs embracing none but towards.
Presently the two rifles exploded with simulta-
neous roars. Colonel Morton made prodigiOus
bound upwards and fell to the earth corpse Deaf
Smith stood erect, and Immediately commenced to
reload his rile and then having finished his brief
task, he hasten away into the adjoining forest.
Three days afterwards, Gen. Houston, acc0mpa-
MED by Deaf Smith and three more men, appeared
in Austin, and, without further opposition, removed
the State papers. r
They have some plucky editors out West, from
one Of whom we hear occasionally. One Of the
profession in Illinois was recently sued for libel,
damages claimed being $4,000, and he does not
seem very much alarmed about the result. He
says, in the number announcing the suit WeaFe
willing to bet our printing Office against keg Of
tar that be could not palm Of his $4,000 char
aeter for ten cents--and we will wager our life
that Il Is not worth one red cent He has not sued
us for enough He ought to have little worse
character. Let US give him . little evidence TO
help him prove character. For instance, we b.
lieve him to be an Internal scOundrel and per
jured villain. n he wants anything else 10 make
up his case, we win say that be Is most abOmin-
able liar"
Salt Lake Is probably the safest body Of water
on the globe. Three barrels Of this water are said
TO yield barrel Of salt. The water Z Of light
green color for some tell or twenty rods, and then
Sirk blue. No fish can live in Il, no frogs abide
ID Il, and but few birds dip in Il.
4 contract is now being executed in Philadel-
tl6H for the manufacture Of number Of cylinders
of compressed gas, to be shipped TO England.
London street cars win be lighted with gas made
at the foot Of the Allegheny mountains.
The height of pOliteness L passing round on the
opposite side Of . lady when walking with her, IN
order not 70 step on bef shadow. But we think
they beat It out West where when lady sneezes,
they give three cheers. .,r..
Awiscousin editor, who has been sold out three
times by the sheriff continues to bring out bis
paper, saying: "We came here to print, and we
intend to do Il, IL we have nothing but shoepegs
and q cheese-pressT
The Stockton Republican says there Is goose
In that vicinity, and quite young goose at that
which takes malicious pleasure in laying two
eggs per day, instead Of one, after the regular
style.