The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1870-09-23

tne popular reckleSSneSS as TO AFFAIRS
of the sort, that numerous and consid-
erable sums were wagered on the result
At length the red orb of the summer
sun touched the curved rim of the west
ern horizon, covering it all with GRIM
son and gold, and filling the air with a
flood of burning glory; and then the
two mortal antagonists, armed with
long, ponderous rifles, took their sta.
ton, back to back, and at the precon-
certed signal-the waving of white
handkerchief-walked steadily and
slowly off in opposite directions, count
ing their steps until each had measured
fifty They both completed the given
number about the same instant, and
then they wheeled, each to aim and fire
when he chose. AS the distance was
great, both paused for some seconds
long enough for the bcholders to flash
their eyes from one to the other and
mark the striking contrast betwixt
them. The face of Col. Morton was
calm and smiling, but the smile it bore
had most murderous meaning. On
the contrary the countenancc of Deaf
Smith was stern and passionless as ev-
er. A side view of his features might
have been mistaken for a profile done
in cast iron. This one, too, was dressed
in the richest cloth, and and the other
in smoke-tinted leather. But that made
no difference in Texas then; for the he
roic were all considered peers
the class of interiors embraced none
but towards.
Presently two rifles exploded with
simultaneous roars. Col. Morton gave
a prodigious bound upwards, and
dropped to the earth a corpse. Deaf
Smith stood erect, and Immediately be.
gan to reload his rifle. and then having
finished his task, he fastened away into
the adjacent forest.
Three days afterwards, Gen. Houston
accompanied by Deaf Smith and ten
more men, appeared in Austin, and
without further opposition removed the
state papers.
The history of the hero of the forego-
ing anecdote was one of the most extra.
ordinary ever kno own in the West. He
made his advent in Texas at an early
period, and continued to reside there
until his death, which happened some
few years ago; although he had many
warm personal friends, no one could ev-
er ascertain either the land of his birth
or single CLEAN of his previous biog-
raphy. When he was questioned on
the subject, he laid his fingers on his
lips; and if pressed more urgently his
brow writhed, and his dark eyes seemed
to shoot sparks Of livid fire. He could
write with astonishing correctness and
facility, considering his situation; and
although denied the exquisite pleasure
and priceless advantages of the sense of
hearing, nature had given him ample
compensation by an eye quick and far
seeing as an eagles and smell Keen
and incredible as that of raven. lie
could discover objects moving miles
away in the far-ofr prairie, when others
could perceive nothing but earth and
sky; and the rangers used to declare
that he could catch the scent of a MeXi-
can or Indian at as great distance as
buzZard could distinguish the odor of
dead carcass.
1t was these qualities which fitted him
so well for spy, in which capacity he
rendered invaluable service to Hous-
toms army during the war of indepen-
dence. He always went alone, and gen.
orally obtained the information desired
His habits in private life were equally
singular. He could never be persuaded
10 live under the roof of house, or
even to close tent cloth. Wrapped in
his blanket he loved to lie under the
blue canopy of pure ether, and count
the stars, or gaze with yearning look
at the melancholy moon. When not
employed as a spy or guide, he subsis-
ted by hunting, being often absent on
solitary excursions for weeks or even
months together in the wilderness. lie
was genuine son of nature, grown
up child of the woods and prairie, which
he worshiped with sort of Pagan ado
ration. Excluded by his infirmities
from cordial fellowship with his kind
he made the inanimate things Of earth
his friends, and entered by the hearts
own adoption into brotherhood with
| the luminaries of heaven. Wherever
there was land or water, barren noun
tains or tangled brakes of wild waving
cane, there was Deaf Smiths home, and
there he was happy; but in the streets
ofgreat cities, in all the great thorough
fares IF men, wherever there was fiat
terry Ur fawning, base cunning or craven
fear, there was Deaf Smith an alien and
exile.
Strange soul! he hath departed on
the long journey, away among those
high bright stars which were his night
lamps; and he has either solved or
ceased to ponder the deep mystery OF
the magic word "life." He is dead;
therefore let his errors rest in oblivion,
and his virtues be remembered with
hope.
LITTLE AND NOTHING OF IT.-Old
Johnny McGill resided, during the
| war, in East Tennessee. Guerrillas,