The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-01-01

panther In all his inotions-h perfect speci.
men of the old-time fro1tiersman, genius
long since vanished forever. his complex
ion was dark, his oountenancs severe and
iron-like-one that apparently had never
known a smile-and be possessed On eve OF
intense, vivid black, wild. rolling and as
piercing as the point OF dagger. while his
hair. long and luxuriaut, hung down on MS
shoulders like the name OF lion.
"Who are you that dares to intrude
among gentlemen without being invited
thundered out Col. Morton, at the same
moment endeavoring to COW down the
stranger by ferocious glanceS OF bis eye.
The stranger returned the colonels STARE
with compound interest, et the Instant lay
ing long, bony finger on his ups, as
sign, but Of what import the committees was
at loss to determine.
4 who are you2 Speak, or ] will cut an
answer out Of your heart" yelled the IN
censed colonel, almost insane with rage at
the calm sneering manner Of the stranger,
who now, at this last demonstration or the
irsscible colonel, removed the finger from
his lips and laid bis hand on the h1lt or BIS
immense bowie.
The fiery colonel upon this movements
drew his dagger, and was in the act OF ad-
vanclug upon the stranger, when several
friends interfered. and. holding him back,
demonstrated: LET him alone, Morton, for
Gods sakel Don't you see the mans
crszym
At this juncture Judge Webb. man Of
| fine intellect and a courteous gentleman III
all his department, stepped toward the
| stranger and addressed him in a most re-
spectful style: my good friend, Ipresume
you have made mistake In the house. This
is private meeting, where none but mem
| berS is admitted
The intruder did not appear to understand
the words of the Judge, but he could not
l fnsI a -. aks.WsN
manner in which be addressed him. His
stern features relaxed Immediately, and,
moving toward table in the middle Of the
room, on which were writing materials, he
took up pen aad traced one line: 81 am
deaf" He then held it up before his audi
ence as sort of apology for his apparent
| lack of politeness
question: Dear Sir: VIII you be so ooig-
ing as to inform me what is your present
business with the meetingp
The stranger responded promptly by hand
ing him a letter inscribed; ITO the Citizens
Of Austin" The Judge broke the seal and
read the contents aloud. 1t was from PIesi.
dent Houston, and showed the terseneSs OF
his usual style:
FELLOW C1T1zEss-Though in error. and de-
ceved by traitors, will give you three days
more to decided whether you will surrender the
public archives. AT the end Of that time you
= win Hlodho lbb lhb hnpH 1puE utNlelbus
SAM HoUsroS.
/ After the document had been read the
man waited a few seconds, as if for q reply,
then turned and was about to leave the hall,
when Gel. Morton interposed and sternly
beckoped him back to the table again,
where he was still sitting. The stranger
obeyed Then the colonel took up pen
and wrote: 'You were brave enough to in
d, suit me by your threatening looks ten min.
utes ago are you brave enough now to give
me satisfaction The stranger Instantly
penned his reply: 81 am at your ser vice.
Col. Morton wrote: "Who will be your
second"
The stranger answered with pen: II am
too generous TO seek an advantage, and too
brave to fear any on the part OF others +,
therefore, / never need q second" The
colonel then wrote: Name your time
Again the stranger traced, without mo-
ment's hesitation: Time, sunset this
evening; place. the left bank Of the Colo
RADIO, opposite Austin; weapons, rifles, aud
distance, hundred yards Then taking
three steps across tho floor, he disappeared.
After he mad gone Judge Webb exclaimed {:
what is It possible. Col. Morton, that you
intend to fight that mani He ia u mute, IL
not positive maniac. Such a meeting, L
fear. will sadly tarnish the luster OF your
laurels."
"You are mistaken replied the colonel
Win tuhb lluk6 10 q u0EOe WnNaO
fame stands in the records Of dozen bat
ties, and at least half as many bloody duels.
Besides, he is the bosom friend Of Gen.
Houston. IL ] have the good fortune to
kill him, think IL will tempt the president
to retract his vow against venturing any
more on the field Of honor"
who is be" inquired dozen voices to-
gether.
Deaf Smith" answered Col. Morton,
coldly.
! "'Deaf Smith was killed at the battle OF
San Jacinto, remarked Judge Webb.
There again your honor is mistaken,
said the colonel. THAT story Of Smiths
death was a mere fiction. gotten US by Gen.
| Houston to save the life OF his favorite
from the sworn vengeance of certain
Texans into whose conduct be had inquired
as spy found that out year ago."
well, il what you say be true. you are
o mailman yourself. Col. Morton" ex-
claimed Judge Webb. hotly. '''Deaf
Smith was never known TO miss his mark
''Say no more" answered the colonel; 81
| have agreed to meet him. There can be no
disgrace in falling before such shot. and,
if 1 should succeed, my triumph will confer
greater glory"
Toward evening vast crowd assembled
at the place appointed to witness the hos
tile meeting. So great was the popular
recklessness concerning affairs of that chars
| dcLeT tnhb large Sullo Oh IIlouey were WdR-
cred upon the result.
AT length the summer sun reached the
edge of the horizon, covering it with a
crimson glow. Then the two mortal anrag-
onists appeared on tho beach, armed WITH
long, pondrous rifles, and took their sta
lions, back TO back. At a preconcerted
dgnaI-the waving of a white hRndker-
chief-they walked off slowly and steadily
in opposite directions, deliberately counting
their steps until each had measured fifty,
when they wheeled. The face OF Col. Nor
ton was calm, but it bore the smile OF a
most murderous meaning. Deaf Smiths"
countenence was as stern and passionless
as ever. The colonel was dressed in the
richest broadcloth; deaf Smith, in the
traditional smoke-tinted buckskin. There
was a pause of several seconds, and then
two rifles were discharged with simultane-
Gus voices. Col. Morton gave a tremendous
bound into the air and dropped to the
ground dead. Deaf Smith" stood erect
and began TO reload his rife, which finish
ing, he turned into the forest that bordered
| the river.
Three days afterward Gen. Houston, ac.
COMMANDED by deaf Smith" and tan other