Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1898-12-17
HIS LIFE THE STAKE.
Thrilling Incident In the Life Of "Wild-
cat" Smith.

HIS LIFE THE STAKE.
Thrilling Incident In the Life of "Wild-
cat" Smith.
Old Wildcat Smith is just about the
last living one of that famous band OF
pioneers who drove the Indians to the
mountains, killed the panthers and
bears and blazed the path through the
trackless wilderness, says special cor
respondent to the St. Louis Globe
Democrat. He does not look like a
lawyer; but he has, neverless, sat upon
a campstool and decided cases of the
greatest importance. He does not
bear any very marked resemblance to a
general, but he has commanded a con-
siderable force in battle, and while
military critics might have complained
that he was deficient in strategic abili'
ty, none ever charged him with lack OF
valor. Few people would discover in
his face or manner any of those traits
that distinguish duelist; but he has
demonstrated that he possesses them
all in an eminent degree by ordering
"pistols and coffee for two" more than
once. Upon one occasion he had the
audacity to invite General Houston,
who was at that period president OF
the republic, to "come out and ex-
change shots" with him. He says that
the old warrior "foored" him by put
ting a note on slip of paper and put
ting it on his desk. In answer to the
enraged challenger's inquiry, the gen.
eral simply said: "Mr. Snir:, Gu are
the fortieth. When l have killed these
other thirty-nine d-n scoundrels who
have challenged me will accommodate
you. Be patient SIR"
Smith came to Texas in 1886, and
served in the Texas army through all
the long wars with Mexico. He was
also soldier in the great civil war,
and when that ended he enlisted u
fight Indians, and remained on the
border until there were no more Com.
anches to shoot. He has been man
of war from his youth up, aud III his
old age he carries soldiers muskel
with fixed bayonet and continues tt
make war on all kinds of game aud
"varmints." He wanted TO 90 TO Gu
ba, and when the boys insisted that he
was too old and feeble he threw off his
coat and challenged the whole compa-
ny 10 fight him.
Upon one occasion Smith was cap
tured by a rowing band of Comanches
many of whom were well known tc
him. They frankly told him that they
intended to make him run the gauntlet
aud burn him at the stake when they
reached their village on Devil river
The captive had flask of whisky
which the chief took away from him
After taking several drinks, the old
warrior asked Smith if he could play
"seven up." Smith proudly boas;ed
that he could beat any man living
playing that particular game. The
answer appeared to put the Indian Oh
his mettle, and he at once proposed
that they should halt by the side Of
the warpath and play for the highest
stakes that mortal men ever waged on
a game of chance-life. Smith eager.
ly agreed 10 the proposal, and they sat
down under tree and dealt the cards
on blanket. The other warriors dis
mounted and anxiously watched the
game. The chiefs name was Big
Laugh, so called on account of natu
raj grin that marked his features.
After short time they stood 6 and 6,
and it was Smiths deal. He ran the
cards off and turned jack from the
bottom. Smith had won his liberty
and Big Laugh told him that he might
90 but the Texan had something else
in view. He might easily have walked
away but he had determined upon
another act which marks him as a
generous soul possessed of the highest
courage. There was young white
girl tied on one of the ponies. Smith
cody proposed to play another game,
stalking his life against the liberty OF
the girl. Big Laugh was evidently
pleased with the white mans courage,
and after taking another drink he
began to shuttle the cards. The young
girl was cut loose from the pony and
made to stand on the blanket, while
the throngs for binding Smith in case
he lost were thrown at her feet. Again
they played close game, and at the
end of a short time the score stood 6
and 6; but it was Big Laughs deal.
With what awful interest that poor
girl must have watched the turning OF
that trump. The Indian slowly dealt
the cards, and peeping at the trump, a
hideous grin spread all over his face.
III was sure that all was lost, and
was just in the act of springing at his
throat" says Smith, "when he turned
the queen of hearts for trump. He
could not give me, of course, and held
both the ace and the deuce of hearts" "
Big Laugh was by this time hilari-
ously drunk and in a most excellent
good humor. He not only kept his
word and gave Smith and the young
girl their liberty; but he furnished
them two ponies and allowed Smith to
take his gun. The liberated captives
reached their settlements in safety,
where Smiths strange story would
never have been credited had not the
young girl bore witness that it was
true. She is still living on a fine plan
tation on the Brazos and is the widow
of no less parsonage than Colonel Sam
Jones, who was killed at the battle OF
Shiloh.