The record-union., 1899-04-24
sEvEN-UP FOR HIS LIFE.
Wildcat Smith Beat His Comanche
Captor at the Game.

Wildcat Smith Beat His Comanche
Captor at the Game.
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 tracks through
the trackless wilderness. He does not
look like a lawyer, but he has, never
ltheless, sat upon a camp stool and de-
lcided cases of the greatest Importance.
He does not bear any very marked re-
semblance to General, but he has
commanded a considerable force in bat
tie, and, while military critics might
have complained that he was deficient
in strategic ability, 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 de-
gree by ordering pistols and coffee for
two more than once Upon one occa-
sion he had the audacity to invite Gen.
Ieral Houston, who was at that period
President of the Republic, to come
out and exchange shots" with him. He
says that the old warrior 'f1oored" him
by coolly making a note on a slip of
: paper and putting it in his desk In
answer. to the enraged challenger's in
quiry, the General simply said: ''Mr.
Smith, you are the fortieth; when 1
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 ali
the long wars with Mexico. He was
also a soldier in the great civil war,
and when that ended he enlisted to fight
Indians, and remained on the border
until there We're no more Comanches to
lshoot. He has been a man of war from
his youth UP, and in his old age he car
tries a soldiers musket with a fixed
bayonet, and continues to make war on
all kinds Of game and ''varmints." He
wanted to go to Cuba, and when the
boys insisted that he was too old and
feeble he threw off his coat and chal-
llenged the whole company to fight him.
Upon one occasion Smith was cap
Itured by rowing band of Comanches,
many of whom were well known to him.
They frankly told him that they in
tended to make him run the gantlet and
reached their village on Devil River
The captive had a flask of whisky,
which the chief took away from him.
After taking several drinks the old war
rior asked Smith if he could play
''seven-up.". Smith proudly boasted
that he could beat any man living
playing that particular game. This an
lswer appeared to put the Indian on his
mettle, and he at once proposed that
they should halt by the side of the war
path and play for the highest stakes
that mortal man ever Waged on a game
of chance-Iife. Smith eagerly agreed
to the proposal, and they sat down
under a tree and dealt the cards on a
blanket. The other warriors dismount-
ed and anXiously watched the game.
The chiefs name was Big Laugh, so
called on account of a natural grin that
marked his features. After a short
time they stood 6 to 6, and it was
Smiths deal. He ran the cards off
and turned a jack from the bottom.
Smith had won his liberty, and Big
Laugh told him he might go; but the
Texan had something else in view. He
might easily have walked away, but he
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 who was weeping in the most
piteous agony. Smith coolly proposed to
play another game, stalking his life
against the liberty of this young girl.
Big Laugh was evidently pleased with
the white mans courage, and after TAX
ing 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 thongs for bind
ing Smith in case he lost were thrown
at her feet. Again they played close
game, and at the end of a short time
stood and 8; but it was Big Laughs
deal. With what awful interest that
poor girl must have watched the turn
ing of that trump! The Indian slowly
dealt the cards. and, peeping at the
trump, a hideous grin spread all over
his face.
Il 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 deuce of hearts,
Big Laugh was by this time hilarious
ly 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 pom
les and allowed Smith to take his gun.
The liberated captives reached the set
! Elements in safety, where Smiths
strange story would never have been
credited had not the young girl borne
| witness that it was true. She is still
living on a fine plantation on the Bra
zos and is the widow of no less a per-
sonage than Colonel Sam Jones, who
was killed at the battle of Shiloh.
Wildcat Smith lives in a little cabin
in the woods, and devotes his whole
time to hunting bear and deer, and
| sometimes smaller game.-Caldwell
(Tex) correspondence of the ST. Louis
Globe-Democrat.
| -%
A Bishop and Drummer.
Bishop Watterson of Nebraska was
once mistaken for a travelling salesman
by a commercial traveller who met him
in a railway train.
DO you represent a big house?" ask
ed the traveller of the Bishop.
Biggest on EARTH replied the
Bishop.
Whats the name of the firm?'
Lord and Church"
"Huml Lord and Church! Never
heard of it. Got branch houses any
where?''