Year: 1867

he eooiiy smoked his cigar and smiled in his usua
way.


why YOU, if voa undertake to fight Deaf Smith >


The thing is all ranged, Is l said moulen,
ago. ard wouldnt back out Of it if l were certain
OF being shot: for what Is death to dishonor p


Such vas the absurd sentiment in Texas At that
time. and such as We fear is still too prevalent
among civilized nations.


Toward evening large crowd assembled at the
place appointed for the meeting, and 50 reckless
were the people regarding the mighty issue al
stake-a human life-perhaps fwo--that there
were all manner of jokes, and not few wager:
were laid upon the result.


At length as the sun sank below the horizon
the two mortal antagonists appeared on the open
space with their ponderous rifles and took then
stations. standing back to back. AT the waving oi
handkerchief, they began pacing of from each
other, both stepping exactly together if they
were keeping time to the tap of drum. They
completed the distance at the same second, when
they wheeled so as to face each other, and TO fire
as soon as possible.


As they were separated by goodly distance. a:
they raised their rifles they paused a moment to
make their aim. The pause was long enough fol
the crowd to glance from vne to the other, and
note the expression Of their faces.


Colonel Morton was calm and smiling: hut the
smile was murderous one-far more terrible than
the severest scowl could be. Deaf Smith. however
was as rigid and passioness ever. His profile
mil ght have been supposed 10 be cut in stone. SO
expressionless was it. The former was attired in
the finest and most expensive broadcloth, and the
other in smoke-tinted leather.


The next instant the two rifles exploded simulta
neously. Colonel Morton with a smothered shrek
spraug upward and fell to the ground. dead. Deaf
Smith stood unmoved and began reloading his rife
which being done, he turned aud disappeared in the
adjoining forest.


Three days afterward, General Houston, accom-
panied by Deaf Smith and ten other men, made his
appearance in Austin, and without further oppo-
siton, removed the state papers.


Deaf Smith as | remarked in another place. was
one OF the most extraordinary men ever known in
the West He appeared in Texas at an early peri
cd and resided there until his death, which occur
red somewhat dozen years ago. He had
many ardent friends. but nothing definite was ever
learned regarding his early history. Whether he
ever acquainted Houston with it or not can never
be known. for the old hero never enlightened me-,
nor any one else, so far as | can learn, upon the
point.


When Deaf Smith was questioned upon the point
he laid his finger upon his lip. and, if pressed his
black eye gave such a rebnke that no one dared
question him further. Ath hough deprived of the
faculty of hearing nature is often the case seem
ed to compensate him, by giving him an eye as
keen and far reaching an eagles, and a smell as
perfect as a ravens. He could discern Comanche-
far off the prairie that they were invisible to
the most experienced rangers, and his friends de-
clared that he could scent an Indian or Mexican
when miles distant.


Gifted il this extraordinary manner, It Will be
seen that he possessed just the qualities to make
him successful spy and his services to Houston
during the Texan war for independence were inval-
liable He nearly always went alone. and very
rarely failed to obtain the Information he desired.


H had many erratic habits. No persuasion
could induce him to sleep under the roof of house
With his blanket wrapped around him, he loved to
lie out in the open air, under the star semmed firm
ament or the silver moon


When not engaged as spy he livedc by hunt
ing and was often absent for months upon his soli-
tary excursions. He was genuine son of nature
at home only when upon the prairies or in the
woods or when engaged in the thrilling excitement
of the hunt the fiery thrill Of the clash of
arms and the cangor of battle.


Shut cut by his infirmities from close COM
panionship with friends. he made the inanimate
things of earth his friends Wherever there was
land or water, barren rocks or tangled brakes o.
wild waving cane. there was Deaf Smiths home
and there he happy but in the streets of great
Cities in all the great thoroughfares of men, wher
ever there was fattery iawning, base cunning ol
craven fear, there was Deaf Smith an alien and an
exile.


Strange soul he hath departed on the long
journey, away among those high bright stars which
were his night lamps and he hath either solved
or ceased to ponder the deep mystery of the magic
word life. He is dead therefore, let his error,
rest in oblivion and his virtues be remembered
with hope