Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1878-04-11
i'd it on the hilt OF Lis nonstrous

Let him alone, Morton, for Gods
sake exclaimed his friends. DO
You not see that he is crazy!'
At this moment Judge Webb, a
man shrewd and courteous, stepped
forward and addressing the intruder
conrteously: Il
my good friend. | presume you
have made mistake in tile house.
This is a private meeting, where
none but members are admitted
The stranger did not appear TO
comprehend the words, bnt he did
the courtesy. Waltslng to a table in
the centre of the hall he seized a
pen and traced one line: Il am
deaf
Judge Webb took the paper and
wrote question: 'Dear Sir: Will
you be SO Kind and obliglng as TO
inform us what is your business with
the meeting
The stranger at unce handed him
letter, inscribed, ITO the Citizens
OF Austin He broke the seal and
read aloud. 1t Was from Houston !:
FELLOW CITIZENS: Though in
error, and deceived 10y the arts OF
traitors, | will give yuu three days
more to decide whether You will
surrender the public archives. AT
the end of that time you will please
let me know your decision.
SAM. uoUsToN.
After the reading the deaf man
waited for few seconds, as if for a
reply, and then turned and was
abont TO leave the hall when Col
Morton stel My beckoDed him back
10 the table. Toe stranger obeyed
and Morton wrote: You were
Grave enough to insult me by your
threatening looks Ten minutes ago
are you brave enough now to give
me salts factiou.'
The stranger penned bis reply :
Il am at your service.
Morton wrote again: who will
be your second .
The stranger rejnined i am too
generous TO seek au advantage, and
too brave to fear any OF the past
nf others therefore | never need
the did of second
Morton wrote Name Your terms.
The stranger wrote, without a
momeut's hesitation Time, sunset
this evening ; place. the lett OF bank
Of the Colo, ado, Opposite Austin
weapons, ilfes; and distance hun
dred yards. Do not tail to be in
| time
lie then walked across the floor,
and disappeared through the win
dow as suddenly as he had entered.
What exclaimed Judge Webb,
is it Possible yoti Intend to fight
that man, Colonel? lie is mute,
if MT maniac. Such a meeting,
fear, would sadly tarrish your
lau,els.
You are mistaken said Morton
with smile that mute is hero
whose name stands in the records
OF il dozen battles, and at least halt
rs nauy dueis. besides, he is /.
fasUti 3 ethlssart ahd bosom friena
OF Houston. Ii [ have the good
fortuue to kill him, | think it will
tempt the President to re;ract his
views against ,ventuling upon tbs
field of hoiior
You know the man then ? Who
is he? asked twenty voices to-
gether.
Deaf Smith,
No, that cannct be [; Deaf Smitll
was killed at San Jaciuto, said
Judge Webb.
There again. your Honor i mis-.
taken, said Morton. The story oil
Smiths death was mere fcti, d
got up by dousion to save the life
of his favurite from the sworn ven
geance OF certain Texans, on whose
conduct he had ac ed as spy
found that out twelve months ago.
Then you are inadman your
self ! exclaimed Webb, 'DeaI
Smith was never known to miss d
mark.
'rhe thing is settled said Mot.
ton l have agreed to meet him
There can be no disgrncb 10 faliine
before such Il shot, and if | kill hin
it will he the greatest feat of my
life:'
Toward evening vast crowd as
sembied to witness the meeting, Sc
: & eat was the popular recklessnes.
!, AS to affairs OF this sort upon the
,esult. At sunset two men arrived
with LONG, heavy rifles. toot thei
places. back to back. and at a sig
nal walked slowly and ste adilv OF
in opposite directions, counting
their steps nniil each had measur
ed fifty. They both completed th,
given number at about the sam.
Instant and wheeled arornd. A
the distance wasg'eat hoth PAUSED
for some seconds. The face o
Col. Morton was calm aud smiling
The face of Deaf Smith was Il
; stern and impressive as ever. Th
Il 1-Yl -. IL 4