North Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1850-1852, 1851-02-05
SKETCHES OF WESTERN LIFE.
COL. ARcnlBALD YELL, OF ARKANSAS.


"Our witnesses are absent, and therefore 1 de-
mand that the case be continued until the term,
in course"
Let the affidavit be filed. for not till then can
entertain motion for continuance, " was the milo
reply of the Judge.
g" Do you doubt my word as to the facts " Gen:
Smoot exclaimed sharply, and involuntarlly raised
his huge sword cane.
Not at all, replied the Judge with his 0andest
smile hut the law requires that the facts astylng
continuance must appear on record and the Court
has no power TO annul the law nor any Will to see 1t
annued." -,
The Judpe's calm and business. like tone and man.
ner only served to rritate the bully, and he reored,
his sword cane in the direction of the bench
&c Whatever NAV be the law, l, for one, will not
learn it from the lips of an uPstart demagogue and
coward "
Jndue YeIl's blue eyes shot lightning but he only
Fl rned 10 the clerk and said quietly Clerk, you
will enter fine of fifty dollars against Gen. Smoot,
as see him named Oh my docket, for gross contempt
of Court and be sure You issue an Immediate execu-
ton. -
He had hardly communicated the order, when
Gen. Smoot was seen rushing towards him brand
ishng his sword cane, all his features writing
with uurderous wrath, and pallid as corpse.
Every glance was fixed on the countenance of the
Judge. for all wished to know how he would brook
the coming shock of the duelist's fierce assault. But
none, however. could detect the slightest change In
his appearance. His cheek grew neither red nor
white, nor a seemed to tremble his calm eye
perturbation as chemist might show scrutinizng the
effervesence Of some novel mixture. He sat perfect
y still, with little staff Of painted iron in his right
hand.
Smoot assembled the platform and Immediately
aimed tremendous blow with his enormous sword
cane full at the head Of his foe. At that blow five
hundred hearts shuddered, and more than dozen
voices shrieked, for all expected TO the victim S
skull shirered into atoms. The general astonish-
meut then NAV be conceived when they behed the
lift a
sword cane flow from Smoot's fingers and fell with
loud clatier the distance of twenty feet in the hall
The baed bully uttered cry OF wrath, wild as that
of some wounded beast of prey, and snatched his
bowie knife from his sheath, but it poised for
the desperate plunge, the little iron staff cut another
curve, and the big knife followed the sword cane.
He then hastily drew revolving pistol, but before
he had time to touch the trigger, hin arm was strick-
en- powerless by his side.
And then for the first time did Judge Yell betray
perpcepible emotion. He stamped his foot till the
platform shook bvneath it and shouted in trumpet
ZONES Mr. Clerk you will blot this ruffan's name
foul disgrace from the roll of attorneys. Mr..
Sheriff, take The criminal to jail. "
The latter officer sprang to obey the mandate, and
Immediately scene of confusion ensued that no pen
could describe. The bravoes and myrmidon friends
of Gen. Smoot gathered round obstruct the Sher-
if, while many of the citizens lent their aid
tain the authority of the court. Manances, screams
and horrd curses the ring of impingng and crossing
steel, alternate cries of rage and pain all commnged
with the awful explosion of firearms, blended togeth
er vivid idea of Pandemonium. But throughout all
the tempestuous strife, two individuals might be OBJ
served leaders in the whirwind and riders of the
storm. The new Judge used his little iron cane with
terrible efficiency Gripping limbs yet sparng life.
Bill Bufun, Initiating the clemency of his honorable
friends dlsdalning the employment of either knife
pistol, actually tampled and crushed down all oppo-
stion, roaring at every furious blow this is the
way to preserve order in courl'-a sentiment which
he accompanied with wild peas of laughter. In less
than two minutes the party of the Judge riumphed,
the clique OF Gen. Snoot suffered disastrous defeat,
and the bully himself was borne away to the prison.
Such was the debut Of Archibald Yell in Arkan-
sas; and from that day his popularity man, as
Judge, as hero, and politician, went rapidly
and brilliantly increasing, till it eclipsed all the old
est and most powerful names. Within the first year
of his emigration he became candidate for the Gov
ernors chair, and Notwithstanding the btterest OPP
position he elected by nine-tenths Of the mum
Der Of votes Poed. At tho end of his term, he can
Vassed Tor Congress- and again swept the State like
hurricane. He continued to serve with success in
the supreme councils of the nation until the period
Of the war with Mexico. He then resigned, hurried
home to Arkansas and raised regiment of volunteer
cavalry, with which he made all possible dispatch to
the scene of action.
The writer of the present sketch saw him on his
line of march to coaesce with grand army of &C.
cuPatlon and never will he forget the evening pass
ed by the light of his hospiiable camp FIRE, on Red
River, within the limits of Texas. The prophecy
of his farewell words rings still on my ears with
mournful disnctness.
s. CO." said he, with look of fire, and in tones
oil thrilling emphasis. to make fame that shall be
co-extensiVe with the length and breadth of the
Union, or to extinguish life itself in a blaze of
glory"
He kept his word-he did both. He arrived on the
cory arena in time TO witness the magnificent storm
OF Bnena Vista and where is the true child of Amer
lean birth that cannot name The three transcendant
stars of chlvalry, who fell quenched in blood that
sun burst of everlasting sungh t over the field Of
glory and of graves! Hardin Clay Yell!