The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1897-05-01
Colonel Morton wrote again: "Who

I Colonel Morton wrote again: "Who
will be your seconds?
The stranger answered with pen:
II am too generous to seek an ad7nn-
tase, and too brave to fear any on the
part Of others; therefore, never need
the aid Of Il second.
The colonel wrote: "Namo your
time"
Again the stranger traced, without q
moments hesitation: 'Iime, sunset
this evening; place, the left bank Of the
Colorado, opposite Austin weapons.
rifles, and distance a hundred yards.
Do not fail to be on time.'' Then talk
ing three steps across the floor, he
disappeared through the same window
he had entered.
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
an absolute maniac. Such meeting,
I fear, will sadly tarnish the luster Of
your laurels."
"You are Mistaken" answered the
colonel, with q smile. "rhat mute is
a hero, whose fame stands in the rec.
ords of dozen battles, and at least
half as many duels. Besides, he is tho
favorite emissarY and bosom friend of
General Houston. If I have the good
fortune to kill him, I think it will
cause the president to take back his
VOW against venturing any more on
the field of honor"
,"You know the man, then? Who
lis he?" inquired half q dozen voices
together.
"Deaf Smith," answered Colonel
Morton coolly.
"Why, no; that cannot be. Deaf
Smith was killed at the battle of
San Jacinto." remarked Judge Webb.
"lhere again your honor. is mis-.
taken" said the colonel. "That story
of Smiths death was a mere fiction,
gotten up by General Houston to saee
the life Of his favorjte from the sworn
vengeance of certain Texans, on whose
conduct he had acted as spy. found
that out year ago."
SWELL, if what you soy be true, you
are mailman yourself, Colonel Nor
ton," exclaimed Judge Webb. ''Deaf
Smith was never known to miss his
mark"
essay no more," answered the COL
onel; "the thing is already decided;
l have agreed to meet him. There
can be no disgrace in falling before
such a shot, and if I should succeed
my triumph will confer the greater
glory"
Toward evening large crowd as.
sembled at the place designated to
witness the hostile meeting, news OF
which had spread oil over the city,
and SO great was the general reckless
ness as to affairs OF that sort, that
urge sums Of money wero wagered on
the result. Duets were an every day
occurrence, for such settlement of
real or fancied wrongs was the custom
throughout all Texas in that early
time.
At length the summer sun reached
the edge of the horizon, covering it
! with crimson glow. Then the two
antagonists, each armed with long,
heavy rifle, took their stations,
back to back, and at signal, tho
waving Of a white handkerchief,
walked slowly and steadily in opposite
directions, deliberately counting their
steps until each had measured fifty.
Both covered the given number at
about the same instant, and then
wheeled; each was to aim and fire
when he chose. As the distance was
rather great, both paused for some
seconds-long enough for the spec|a-
tors to fash their eyes from one to the
other, end mark the striking contrast
between the two men. The fece Of
Colonel Morton was calm and smiling,
but the smile it bore he'd murderous
meaning. Deaf Smiths countenance
was stern and passionless as ever. A
side view OF his features might have
been taken for profile done in cast
iron. The colonel was dressed IN the
richest broaacloth, Deaf Smith in
smoke -tinted buckskin.
Presently two rifles were discharged
with simultaneous voices. Colonel
Morton gave tremendous bound in
the air and fell to the ground dead.
Deaf Smith stood erect and immedi.
ately began to reload his rifle; and
having finished his brief task he
turned away into the forest that bor-
dered the stream.
Three days after General Houston,
with Deaf Smith, entered Austin, and
without any trouble carried off the
archives. Detroit Free Press.