The Washington bee., 1899-06-24
sEVEN-UP FOR HIS LIFE
Wildcat Smith Beat His Comanche Can
tor ut the Gsme-wen His Life and
the Life of Young Girl.

tor at the Gsme-wen His Life and
the Life of Young Girl.
Old Wildcat Smith of Texas, is inst
about the last living one of that fam.
Gus band of pioneers who drove the
Indians to the mountains, killed the
panthers and bears, and blazed the
tracks through the trackless wilder.
ness. He does not look like a lawyer
but he has, nevertheless, sat upon q
camp stool and decided cases of the
greatest Importance. He does not
bear any very marked resemblance tc
General, but he has commanded z
considerable force in battle, and, while
military critics might have complained
that he was deficient in strategic atfl
ity. none ever charged him with lack
of valOr. Few people would discover
In his face or manner any of those
traits that distinguish a 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 exchange shots with him.
lie says that the old warrior "fiOored''
him by coolly making a note on a slip
of paper and putting it In his desk.
In answer to the enraged challenger's
inquiry, the General simply said:
"Mr. Smith. you are the fortieth; when
| have killed these other thirty-nine
d-n scoundrels who have challenged
me | will accommodate you. Be patient,
sir
Smith went 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 to
fight Indians. and remained on the
border, until there were no more Com
ancbes to shoot He has been a man
of war from his youth up. and in his
old age he carries soldiers musket
with a fixed bayonet, and continues
to make war on all kinds of game and
"varmints." He wanted to go to
Cuba, aud when the boys insisted that
he was t1s old and feeble he threw off
his coat Ind challenged the whole
company to fight him.
Upon one occasion Smith was CAP
tured by rowing band of Comanches.
many of whom We're we'll known to
him. They frankly told him that they
intended to made him run the gantlet
and burn him at the stake when they
reached their village on Devil River.
The captive had a flask of whixkey,
which the chief took away from him.
After taking several drinks the old
warrior asked Smith If he could play
''seven-up." Smith proudly boasted
that he could beat any man living
playing that particular game This
answer appeared to put the Indian on
his mettle. and be at once proposed
that they should halt by the side of
the warpath and play for the highest
stakes that mortal man ever waged on
q game of chance-life Smith eagerly
agreed to the proposal, and they sat
down under tree and dealth the
cs rdS ON a bloLket. The other war
riors dismounted and anxiously watch
ed the game. The chiefs name was
Big Laugh. so called on account of q
natural grin that marked his features.
After a short time they stood to 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 he might go:
but the Texan had something else in
view. He might easily have wall ID
away. but he determined upon anOtL. er
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
roolly proposed to play another game
stalking his life against the liberty OF
this young girl. Big Laugh was evil
IDENTIFY pleased with the white mans
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 thongs for binding
her feet. Again they played a close
game. and at the end of short time
stood 6 to 6: but it was Big Laughs
1eal. With what awful interest that
poor girl must have watched the turn
ne of that trump! The Indian slowly
lealt the cards. and. peeping at the
trump. q hideOus grin spread all over
MS face.
81 was sure all was lost and was
inst in the act of springing at his
hroat.' says Smith. when he turned
he queen of hearts for a trump. He
'Ould not give me. of course. and i
leld both the ace and deuce of hearts"
Rig Laugh was by this time hilari-
,usly drunk and in most excellent
,ood hnmor He not only kept his
word and gave Smith. and the young
,irl their liberty. but furnished them
wo ponies and allowed Smith to take
lis gun. The liberated captives reach /
d the settlements in safety. where |
smiths strange story would never !
AVE been credited had not the young |
.irl borne witness that ii was true. |
'he is still living on fine plantation
N the Brazos. and is the widow of no !
ess a parsonage than Colonel Sam
ones, who was killed at the battle Of !
shiloh.
Wildcat Smith lives in q little cabin !
n the woods. and devotes his wi lie |
imc TO hunting bear and deer and |
ometimes smaller game. He lives all |