The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1877-03-08

at the same instant, when they wheeled
SO far as to face each other and FIRE as
soon as possible.
As they were separated bya eonsidera-
BILE distance, they raised their rifles and
paused a moment to take aim. The
pause was long enough for the crowd to
glance from one to the other, and note
the expression of thsir faces. Colonel
Morton was calm and smiling, but the
smile was a murderous one-far more
terrible than the severest scowl could be-
Deaf Smith, however, was as rigid and
passionless as ever. His profile might
have been supposed to have been cut in
stone, so expressionless was it. The for.
mer was attired in the finest broad
cloth, and the other in a snake tinted
leather.
The next instant both rifles exploded
simultaneously. Colonel Morton gave a
smothered shrek, sprang upward, and
fell to the ground-dead. Deaf Smith
stood unmoved, and began reloading his
rife, which being done he turned away
and disappeared in the adjoining forest.
Three days after, General Houston ac-
companied by Deaf Smith, and ten other
men, made their appearance in Austin,
and without further opposition removed
the State papers.
Deaf Smith, as remarked before, was
one of the most extraordinary men ever
known in the West. He appeared in
Texas at an early period, and resided
there until his death, which occurred
over a dozen years ago. He had many
ardent friends, but nothing definite was
ever learned regarding his former life.
Whether he ever acquainted Houston
with it was never known, for the old hero
never enlightened anyone, as far as l can
learn, upon the matter.
When DeafSmith was questioned upon
the matter he laid his finger upon his
lips, and if pressed, his dark eyes gave
such rebuke that no one dare question
him further. Although deprived Of the
faculty of hearing, nature, as is often the
ing him an eye as keen and far-reaching
as an eagles, and a smell as perfect as a
ravens. He could discern Comanches
so far on the prairie that they were in
visible to the eye of the most experienced
rangers, and mis- friends declared he could
scent Mexican when miles away.
Gifted in this extraordinary manner,
it will be seen that he possessed just the
qualities to make him successful spy;
and his services to Houston during the
Texas war for independence were inval-
liable. He generally went alone, and
very rarely failed to obtain the informa'
ton required. He had many erratic
habits. No persuasion could induce him
to sleep underline roof of house. With
his blanket wrapped about him he loved
to lie out in the open air, under the star
gemmed armament. When not engaged
as a spy he lived by hunting, and was
often absent for months on his excursions
He was genuine son of nature, at home
only when up the prairies or in the woods,
| or when engaged in the thrilling excite.
ment of the hunt, or the more fiery thrill
of the clash of arms and the roar Of bat
tie. Shut out by his infrmity from the
close companionship of friends, he had
made the inanimate things of earth his
friends. Whenever there was water OF
land, barren rocks or tangled brakes o.
wild cane, there was Deaf Smiths home
and there he was happy but in the
streets of great cities, in the great thor
oughfares Of men, wherever there wa
fattery or fawning, base cunning O
craven fear, there was Deaf Smith al
alien and exile.