The record-union., 1893-03-08

house. This is a private meeting, where
none but members are admitted"
The intruder did not appear to under
stand the words of the Judge, but he
could not fail to comprehend the mild, Z
deprecatory manner in which he adj
dressed 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 and
traced one line-''I am deaf" He then
held 1t up before his audience as sort of
apology for his apparent lack of polite
ness.
Judge Webb took the paper and wrote
a question; Dear sir, will you be so
oblging as to inform us what is your
present business with the meeting?"
The stranger responded promptly by
handing him letter inscribed: TO the
Citizens of Austin" The Judge broke
the seal and read the contents aloud. 1t
was from President Houston, and showed
the terseness OF his usual style:
Feuou-CftiseRS: Though in error, and de-
ceived by traitors l will sive you three days
more to decide whether you will surren DER
the public archives. AT tine end of that time
you will please let me know your decision
SAN HOUSTON.
After the document had been read the
man waited a few seconds as if for re-
| ply, then turned and was about TO leave
the hall when Colonel Morton interposed
| aud sternly beckoned him back to the
table again, where ne was still sitting.
The stranger obeyed. Then the Colonel
! took up a pen and wrote: You were
brave enough to insult me by your
! threatening looks ten minutes ago-are
you brave enough now to give me salts
taction?' The stranger instantly penned
his reply: Il am at your service"
| Colonel Morton wrote again: "Who
will be your second?''
The stranger answered with pen: 81 am
/ too generous to seek an advantage and too
brave to fear any on the part of others,
| therefore L never need a second" The
| Colonel then wrote: "Name your time"
| Again the stranger traced, without a
moments hesitation: Thine, sunset this
evening. Place, the left bank of the
Colorado, opposite Austin. W eapons,
rifles, and distance one hundred yards"
Then, taking three steps across the floor,
! he disappeared.
After he had gone Judge Webb ex-
! claimed:
"What! is it possible, Colonel Morton,
that you intend to fight that man? He IS
a mute, if not positive maniac? Such a
meeting, | fear, Will sadly tarnish the lus-
ter of your laurels.''
''Y ou are mistaken" replied the Colonel
with smile, that mute is a hero, whose
fame stands in the records of a dozen
battles, and at least halt as many bloody
duels. Besides, he is the bosom friend
of General Houston. If | have the good
fortune to kill him / think it will tempt
the President to retract his vow against
venturing any more on the field of hon
orr
"Who is he?" inquired dozen voices
together.
deaf Smith," answered Colonel Nor
ton, coolly.
deaf Smith was killed at the bat
tie OF san Jacinto," remarked Judge
Webb.
There again your honor is mistaken, y
said the Colonel. THAT story of Smiths
death was q mere fiction. gotten up by
General Houston to save the life OF his
tavorlte from the sworn vengeance Of
certain Texans into whose conduct he hao
inquired as spy. L found that out year
ago.
well, if what you say be true, you
are madman yourself, Colonel Morton, .
exclaimed Judge Webb hotIy. idea
Smith was never known to miss his
mark"
Say no more" answered the Colonel
81 have agreed to meet him. There cal
be no disgrace in falling before such {
shot, and, if | should succeed, my triumph
will confer greater glory"
towards evening a vast crowd assem-
bled at the place appointed to witness the
hostile meeting. SO great was the popu'
lar reckleSSneSS concerning affairs OF that
character that large sums OF money were
wagered upon the result.
At length the summer sun reached the
edge of the horizon, covering it with a
crimson glow. Then the two mortal an
tagonists appeared on the beach, armed
with long, ponderous rifles, and took
their stations back to back. At a pre-
concerted signal-the waving of a white
handkerchiet-the walked off slowly
and steadily IN opposite directions delib-
erately counting their steps until each
had measured fifty, when they wheeled.
The face of Colonel Morton was calm, but
1t bore the smile of a most murderous
meaning. Deaf Smiths countenance
was as stern and passionless as ever.
The Colonel was dressed in the richest
broadcloth. deaf Smith'''in the tradi-
tional smoke-tinted buckskin. There
was pause of several seconds, and then
two rifles were discharged with stimuli
taneous voices. Colonel Morton gave a
tremendous bound into the air and
dropped to the ground dead. Deaf
SMITH stood erect and began to reload
his rifle, which, finishing, he turned into
the forest that bordered the river.
Three days afterward General Hous-
ton, accompanied by Deaf SMITH and
ten other men, appeared in Austin, and,
| without opposition, removed the archives
| to Washington.
The Fountain Head of Strength