Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1893-03-09
US what is your present business
with the meeting.2" 4.

US what lsE your present business
with the meeting.2" {,
The stranger responded prom
4 pity by handing him letter in
cribed: ITO the citizens of Austin.
| The Judge broke the seal and reae
the contents aloud. 1t was from
President Houston, and showed
the terseness of his usual style:
Fellow Citizens; Though il
eoror, and deceived by traitors,
will give your three days more tc
decide whether you will surrender
the public archives. AT the end Of
that time you will please let me
know your decision.
&, Sam Houston"
After the document had been
read the man waited . few seconds
as if for q reply, then turned and
was aboutSto leave the hall when
Colonel Morton interposad and
sternly beckoned him back to the
table again, where he was still
sitting. The stranger obeyed'
Then the colonel took up q pen
and wrote: "You were brave
enough to. insult me by your
threatening looks ten minutes ago
are yon brove enough now to give
me satisfaction?' The stranerg
instantly penned his reply: 81 am
at your service"
Colonel Morton wrote again
aWho will be your second2"'
The stranger answered with pen
81. am toe: generous to seek an
adyantag,and too brave to fear any
on the part of others, therefore, ]
never need second" The colonel
then wrote: sName your time"
Again the stranger traced, with
out a moments hesitation: "Time
sunset this evening; place, the
lelt /. bank of the Colorado, op-
posite Austin; weapons, rifles,
and distance 100 yaIds." Then
taking three steps across the floor
he disappeared.
After he had gone Judge Webb
exclaimed:
"What! is it possible, Colonel
Morton, that you intend to fight
that man? He is a mute, if not q
positive maniac. Such a meeting,
II fear, will sadly tarnish the lustre
ofyour' 'laurels. =
on are mistaken reply the
sasks
lis a hero, whose fame stands on
the record of a dozen battles, and
at least as many bloody ..duels.
Besides, he is the bosom friend OF
General Houston. If I have the
good fortune to kill him. I think
it will tempt the president to
retract his VOW against venturing
any more on the field of honor"
"Who is he?" inquired dozen
voices together.
"Deaf Smith," answered Col.
Morton coolly.
.Deaf Smith was killed at the
battle of San Jacinto," remarked
Judge Wbb.
"There again your honor is
mistaken" said the Colonel,
"That story of Smiths death was
a mere fiction, gotten up by General
Houston. to save the life of his
favorite from the vengeance of GER
tain Texans into whose conduct
he had inquired as a spy. I found
that out a year ago.
"Well, if what you say be true
you are madman yourself.
Colonel Norton" exclaimed Judge
Webb, hotly. "Deaf Smith was
never known to miss his mark"
''say no more," answered the
colonel; "I have agreed to meet
him. There can be no Disgrace in
falling before such shot, and il
1 should succeed, my triumph will
confer greater glory
Towards evening vast crowd
assem- bled at the place appointed
to witness the hostile meeting. Sc
great was the popular recklessness
concerning affairs of that character
that large sums Of money were
wagered on the result.
At length the summer sun
reacl el tie edge of the horizon
covering it with a crimson glow
Then the two mortal antagonists
appeared on the beach, armed with
long ponderous rifles, and took
their station, back to back. At q
preconcertvd signal-the waving
of white handkerchief they
l-.11.I III.