Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1899-07-29
HE STAKED HIS LIFE.
"WiLDCAT" SMITHS THRILLING GAME
OF SEVEN UP

The Doughty Pioneer Beat His CO.
mnnchc Cnptor. Big Laugh. at the
Game and Then RisI>cd His Life
Aguja 10 Save White Girl Captive.
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 lawyer, but he has, never
thclesS sat upon camp stool and de-
cidcd cases of the greatest Importance.
He does not bear any very marked re-
scmblance to a general, but he has com
manded a considerable force in battle,
and, while military critics might have
complained that he was deficient in
strategic ability none ever charged
him with lack of valur. 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 de-
gree by ordering ''pistols and coffee for
two" more than once. Upon one occa-
sion he had the audacity to invite Cen
cral Houston, who was at that period
president of the republic, to 'come out
and exchange shots" with him. He says
that the old warrior "fooreI" him by
Coully making a note on slip of paper
and putting it in his desk. In answer
to the enraged challcngcr's inquiry the
..i,,,,,1,- .,iJ. EtATp Smith
are the forticth When | have killed
these other 80 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 IL soldier in the great civil war,
and when that ended he enlisted to
fight Indians and remained on the Dor
der until there We're no more Co
manches to shoot He has been a man
of war from his youth mp, and in his
old age he carries soldiers musket
with fixed bayOnct, and continues to
make war on all kinds of game and
''varmints. He wanted to 90 to Cuba,
and when the boys insisted that he was
too old and feeble he threw off his coat
and 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 intend
ed to make him run the gauntlet and
burn him at the stake when they reach
ed their village on Devil river. The cap
tive had flask of whisky, which the
chief took away from him. After TAX
ing several drinks the old warrior asked
Smith if he could play seven up.
Smith proudly boosted that he could
beat any man living playing that par
ticular game. This answer appeared to
put the Indian on 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 man ever
waged on Il game of chance-llfc.
Smith eagerly agreed to the proposal,
and they sat down under a tree and
dealt the cards ON a blanket. The other
warriors dismounted and anXiously
watched the game. The chiefs name
was Big Laugh, so called on account of
natural grin that marked his features.
After short time they stood 6 to q,
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 90, but
the Texan had something else in view,
He might easily have walked away, but
he determined upon another act which
marks him as Il generous soul possessed
of the highest courage. There was a
young white girl tied ON one Of the
ponies, who was weeping i'll the most
pitcous agony.
Smith coolly proposed to play another
game, stalking his life against the lib.
erty of this young girl Big Laugh was
evidently pleased with the white man
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 thongs for lindinS Smith, il
case he lost, We're thrown at her feet.
Again they played close game, and at
the end of Il short time stood and g.
but it was Big Laughs deal. Will
what awful interest that poor girl mus
have watched the turning of that
trump! The Indian slowly dealt the
cards, and, peepiug ut the trump, /
hideous grin spread all over his face.
Il was sure that all was lost and wa.
just in the act of springing at hi.
throat, says Smith, ''whcn he turnej
the queen Of hearts for Il trump. II,
could not give me, of course, and ! hel(
both the ace and deuce of hearts. "
Big Laugh was by this time hilarious
Iy drunk ANA i'll most excellent gooC
humor. He not only kept his word anC
gave Smith and the young girl theil
liberty, hut he furnished them two pc
MES and allowed Smith to take his gun
The liberated Captives reached the set
Element in safety, where Smith
strange story would never have been
credited had not the young girl born
witness that it was true. She is still
living ON fine plantation on the Brazo
and is the widow of no less personag
than Colonel Sam Jones, who was kille,
ut the battle of Shiloh.
wildcat" Smith lives III little cabin
III the woods and devutcs his Who'll
time 10 hunting bear and deer an,
sometimes smaller game. st. Loui
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