The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1878-06-11

uuI
The stranger did not appear 10 com
= prch, nd the words. but he did the
courtesy. Waltsing to table in the
centre of the ball, he seized n pen and
traced one line-"I am deaf"
Judge Webb took the paper and wrote
question: Will you be so obligin"
as to inform US what is your business
with this meeting z"
The stranger at once handed him a
letter. inscribed ITO the citizens of
Austin" He broke the seal and read it
aloud. 1t was from Houston
"FELLow CIrlzESs.-Though in error
and deceived by the arts Of traitors, l Will
give you three days moro to decide whether
yon will surrender the public achives. At
the end of that time you will please let me
know your decision"
"SAM HoUsroN."
After reading this, the deaf man waited
for a few seconds, as if for reply, and
then turned and was about 10 leave the
hall when Col. Morton stcrnly beckoned
him back to the table. The stranger
obeyed and Morton wrote:
"You we're brave enough to insult
me by your threatening, now give me
satisfaction 7"
The stranger penned his reply: II
am at your service !"
Morton wrote again: "Who will
be your second :"
The stranger rejoined 81 am too
generous to seek an advantage, and too
brave to fear any on the part CT others,
therefore I never need the aid Of sec
ond -,
Morton wrote. "Name your terms. !"
The stranger wrote without a mo-
mep.'s hesitation "Time, sunset this
evening; place, the left bank OF the
Colorado. opposite Austin: weapons.
rifles. and distance 100 yards. Do not
fail to be in time"
He then walked across the Guor and
disappeared through the window as sud-
denly as he had entered.
"What," exclaimed Judge Webb, lis
!, possible you intend to fight that man.
Co!onel2 lie is q mule, if cot ma
MAC. Such meeting, | fear, will
sadly tarnish your laurels "
you are mistaken" said Morton,
with a suile; that mute is hero who
Stands n the records of dozen battles,
and at least half as many bloody duels.
Besides he is a favoritc cmissary and
hosom friend of Houston. If | have
ia, good fortune to kill him, think it
will tempt the Frcs,dent !" rcirart his
vow ,gainst vcnturing any more upon
the field of honor"
You know him them Who is he I!
asked twenty voices together.
"Deaf Smith"
"No, ,h,t cannot be- Deaf Smith
was killed at San Jaeinio.4 said Judge
Webb.
! There, again, your Honor is mis'a-
ken. said Moron. The story Of his
death was a mere fiction. gotten up by
Houston to save the life Of his favorite
yrnp ias syo,p vengeanc: of certain
Texans on whose conduc. pc had aetea
as SPY. I found that ont twelve
months ago."
Then ,on are madmap yourself!'
xo,,imoa Ev,hL .tO.af Smith was
never known to miss his mark"
The thing is settled" said Morton;
II have agreed to mees him. There
can be no d:sgTaca IL falling before
such shot, and If kin him it will be
the greatest feat of my life
Towards evening vast crowd assem-.
blcd to witness the meeting, and so
great was the popular reck'essncss as to
affairs Of this sort, that bets were offered
and taken on all sides upon the result.
AT sunset the two men arrived, with
long, heavy rifles. took their places,
back to back, at signal walked slowly
and steadily off in opposite directions,
counting thair steps until each had
measured 6Ny They both completed
the given number about the same in-
slant, and wheeled around. AS the
distance was great, both paused for n
few seconds. The face Of Col. Morton
was calm and smiling. The face Of
Deaf Smith was as stern end impassive
as ever. The Colonel was in broad
cloth; the scout 10 smoke tanned lea
thcr.
The two rifles exploded at the same
ius,Ani Colonel Morton sprang into
the air and dropped dead. Deal smith
quietly reloaded his rifle, and walked
away into the forest.
Three days alterwarI, General llous-
ton, accompanied by Deaf Smith and
ten ether men appeared IN Austin in and
removed the State papers.
Deaf Smith was one of the most ex-
raordinary characters ever known in
ehe West. He made Ills advent in
Texas at an early periad, Gnd continued
to reside there until his death. which
occurred, believe. about 1850. But,
although he had many friends, no one
ever learned where he had been born
or any particulars Of his previous his-
tory. When he was questioned on the
snhjcct he laid his finger On his lip
His eye wa qnick and far seeing as au
eagles, and his nose as Keen as ra.
ven's. H. could discern "bjrcts miles
away on the prairie, when others saw
nothing but earth and sky; aud the sav'