The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1872-11-05

"Wil you be kind enough to nfcrm us
what your business is with this meeting ?"
The stranger answered this question by
handing a letter to tho Judge, whose su-
prescription was "to the Citizens Of Aus
tin" The seal was broken aud it was
read aloud
Fellow Citizens Though in error
and deceived by the arts Of traitors, |
will give you three more days to decide
whether you will surrender the public ar
chives. At the end of that time you will
please let me know your decision.
SAM lloUsroN."
After the letter was read, the deaf man
waited a few moments for reply and
turned to leave the hall. At this moment
Colonel Morton interposed with lover
ing brow, and beckoned him to the table.
The stranger obeyed. Colonel Morton
wrote:
"You were brave enough to insult me
by your threatening looks ten minutes
ago are you brave enough to give me
satisfaction ~
The stranger instantly penncd the re-
ply:
I'll am at your service.
The Colonel again wrote
"Who will be your second ~
This was the answer.
81 am to generous to seek an advan-
tage, and to brave to fear one on the part
of others, therefore never need the aid
of second ~
Morton wrote
"Name your terms
The stranger wrote without moments
hesitation
Time, sunset this evening place the
left bank Of the Colorado, opposite Aus
tin weapons, rifles distance, hundred
yards Do not fail to be in time
The last sentence was not calculated to
soothe the feelings of the rritated Col
one, and he compressed his lips as he
read it,
The next moment the stranger strobe
across the floor and disappeared through
the window in the same manner he had
entered
ais it possible that you are going to
fight that man ?" exclaimed Judge Webb.
He is mute, if not a maniac Such a
meeting | fear will tarnish the lustre of
your laurels.
"You are mistaken" said the Colonel,
with smile. That mute is Il hero
whose fame stands in the records OF doz.
en- of battles and almost as many bloody
duels. Besides, he is the iavoritc ennis
sary and bosom friend of Houston. I'll
have the good foatune to kill him, think
the President will retract his vow against
venturing any more on the field Of hon
Or"
"You know him then Who is he
asked several.
deaf Smith"
Impossible 1t cannot be- Deaf
Smith was slain ut San .Jacinto," replied
Judge Webb
"There again your Honor is mistaken" A."
said Morton. "Thc story of Smiths death
is mere fiction. gotten up by Houston
for the purpose Of saving his friend from
the vengeance ofscvcral Texans, on whose
conduct he had acted the part ola spy.
! learned the artitice year ago"
Then you are madman yourself,
Colonel. Deaf Smith was never known
to miss his mark. He has been known
to have brought down ravens in their
fight, and has picked of Comanches and
Mexicans at distance of two hundred
yards.
The thing is settled. fancy can
do little of that business myself"
"But for Gods saks," rsisted the
Judge, becoming excited, 81 don't want
you to be murdered"
'Who is going to be ?" ked the Col
onel, as he cody smoked his cigar and
smiled in his usual way.
"Why, you, if you undertake to fight
Deaf Smith"
This thing is all arranged as | said a
few moments ago, and wouldn't back
out il was certain to be shot for what
is death to dishonor ~
Such was the absurd sentiment in Tex
as at the time, and such we fear. is toe
prevalent among civilized nations.
Toward evening large crowd Assem-.
bled at the place appointed for the meet.
ing and so reckless were the people re-
garding the issue at stake-a hlman life
perhaps two that there were all man.
ner Of jokes, aud not few wagers laid
upon the result.
! At length, as the sun sank below the
horizon, the two mortal antagonist ap
peared on the open space and stood back
to hack, At the waving Of the handker
chief they began pacing of from each
other, both stepping exactly together, Al
if they were keeping Time to the tap Of I
drum. They completed the distance a
the same instant, when they wheeled SO Al
TO face each other and fire as soon as pos
sible.
As they were separated by Il consider
able distance, they raised their rifles ant
paused moment to take aim The paus,
was long enough for the crowd to glanc,
from to the other,and note the expression
of their faces. Colonel Morton was cain
and smiling but the smile was murder
Gus one-iar more terrible than the re
verest scowl could be. Deaf Smith how
ever, was as rigid aud passioaless AS ever
His profile might nave been supposed Il
have been cut in stone, SO expressionles
was it, The former Was attired in tn