Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1896-02-14

garment of state. He carried long
very heavy rifle in his right hand
wore at button on his coat an i'm
mense bowie-knife, and in his belt
brace of fint-lock pistols half as Ions
as his gun. He was tall, straight as ar
arrow, active and quick as a panther
in all his motions.
"Who are you that dares intrudt
among gentlemen without being in
vited ?" thundered out Colonel Nor
ton, at the same moment endeavorin&
to COW down the stranger by the fero
cious glance of his eye.
The stranger returned the colone's
stare with compound interest, at the
same instant laying long bony tn
ger on his lips, as sign, but of wha
import, the committee was at loss tt
determine.
"Who are you A.? Speak, or 1 will cu
an answer out of your heart" yelled
the incensed colonel, almost insane
with rage at the calm, sneering man
ner of the stranger, who now, at thi:
last demonstration of the irascible
colonel, removed the finger from his
lips, and laid his hand on the hilt o.
an immense bowie.
The fiery colonel, upon this move
ment, drew his knife, and was in the
act of advancing upon the stranger
when several friends interfered, and
holding him back, demonstrated:
"Let him alone, Morton Don't
you see the mans crazy ?"
At this juncture, Judge Webb, q
man of fine intellect, and courteous
gentleman in all his department, step.
ped toward the stranger and addressed
him in the most respectful style:
"My good friend, presume you
have made a mistake in the house
This is a private meeting, where
none but members are admitted.
The intruder did not appear to un-
derstand the words of the judge, but
he could not fail to comprehend the
mild, deprecatory manner in which he
addressed him. His stern features re.
laxed Immediately, and moving toward
a table in the middle of the room on
which were writing materials, took up
a pen and traced one line: 81 am
deaf" He then held it up before bis
audience as sort of apology for bis
apparent lack of politeness.
Judge Webb took the paper and
wrote question
"Dear sir, will you be so obliging as
to inform us what is your present bus,
mess with the meeting ?"
The stranger responded promptly
by handing him a letter inscribed
ITO the Citizens of Austin" The
Judge broke the seal and read the con-
tents aloud. 1t was from President
Houston, and showed the terseness ol
his usual style:
"FELLow CITIZENS Though in error,
and deceived by traitors, l will give you
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 HOUSTON"
After the document had been read
the man waited few seconds, as il
for reply, then turned, and was about
to leave the hall, when Colonel Morton
interposed, and sternly beckoned 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 insult
me by your threatening looks 10 min
utes ago; are you brave enough now
to give me satisfaction ?"
The stranger Immediately penned
his reply:
~ am at your service"
Colonel Morton wrote again:
"Who will be your second ?"
The stranger answered with pen:
II am too generous to seek an ad,
vantage, and too brave to fear any on
the part of others, therefore, 1 never
need second"
The colonel then wrote:
"Name your time"
Again the stranger traced, without
moments hesitation:
"Time, sunset this evening; place,
the left bank of the Colorado, oppo-
site Austin; weapons, rifles; and dis
tance, 100 yards"
Then, taking three steps across the
floor, he disappeared.
After he had gone, Judge Webb ex'
claimed:
"Wbat is it possible, Colonel Nor.
ton, that you intend to fight that man
He is mute, if not positive maniac
Such meeting, fear, will sadly tar
nish the luster of your laurels."
"You are Mistaken" replied the
colonel, with a smile; "that mute is a
hero, whose fame stands in the records
of at least dozen battles, and at least
half that many bloody duels. Besides
he is the bosom friend Of General
Houston. If I 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
honor"
"Who is he p inquired half a dozen
voices together.
"'Deaf Smith," answered Colonel
Morton, cody.
"'Deaf Smith was killed at the
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