Mineral Point tribune. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1854-1858, 1854-02-16

- oeauy iuS out Win tuuSfC from Its notes
While he was thus engaged Tarik entered
bearing beneath his arm chess-board.
DO you feel like game of chess, this
evening2' asked the jailor, as he sat his
lamp down
Yes, good Tarik Anything to drink
up the dull moments that hang about me- !,
Then I'll spend an hour with thee =
Everything is quiet about the prison
the prisoners are all safe, and the guard is
set
AS Tarik spoke he moved cushion up
to where Abdalla stood, and having set
the lamp down in convenient place he
unshackled the prisoners right hand. and
then seated himself Abdalla did the
same, aud having placed the chess board
upon their knees they arranged their men
'Tarlk,' said the prisoner, something
tells me that this may be the last game
we shall ever play together
No, move will play often
i think not. The king will not keep
me much longer
He will not dare to-
'-sh He will dare do what be pleas
es. But never mind that now You shall
move first, and will beat you
Not so easily. There
That's your old move
Yes, and l mean it for victory. By
Allah, if you we're playing for your life
l should hardly let you beat me this time
1 tell, thee, Tarik, whatever I play for
shall be mine. Life is not mine to stake
They played, and they played, too, as
men who understood the game. The
minutes slipped rapidly away, and yet the
two chess players moved their pieces with
but little effect. The prisoner forgot his
chains, and the keeper forgot his office.
4 have thee whispered Tarik
Not yet returned the prisoner, as he
backed up his queen by dexterous move
The players were again buried in the
game, when the door of the room was open
ed, and Mahmoud entered
'Tarik, here is an order from the king }
said the messenger, placing bit of parch-
ment IN the keepers hand
'Tarik opened the scroll and read
His face turned pale, and fearful tremor
shook his frame
4 am TO wait said Mahmoud
Then will join thee below returned
Tarik placing the scroll within his bosom.
What ails thee ? asked the prisoner, as
the messenger withdrew.
Only a sudden and unexpected order
replied Tarik, in thick, husky tone, while
he trembled as though the death angel
were lowering over him.
Lets finish the game
NO, no-I cannot play more
IF L can play, why should not you p
asked the prisoner, in a tone of strange
calmness. i feel that have more inter
est III the kings message than you have
The two men continued the game, but
Tark played wildly.
'Ah there goes your queen and the
game is mine 7 uttered Abdalla
'Yes--you've won 7 murmured Tarik.
and as be spoke he turned away to wipe
tear from his cheek.
The keeper arose from his seat and sat
the chess board against the wall He re-
placed the manacle upon the prisoners
hand, and then taking up the lamp he left
the apartment.
%, Allah forgive me 7 he murmured,
as he closed the prison i would rather
die myself than do this deed But will
not shed all this blood myself Him l
must kill with mine own hand, but the
poor Christians shall fall by anothers.-
Ah this is truly his last game. Pro
phetic vision p
When the jailor reached his Office he
called up two of his attendants They
were sinister looking. powerful fellows, and
those who knew them knew them for the
Granadan eXecutioEers
You know the place where the Chris
tians are confined said Tarik
~ rafrrno1 ooo &c III
Then take your cimeters and go to
their dungeon. Here is the kings order
for their Immediate death Do your work
well, now, and be quick about it, for
would not have them suffer pain. l have
further use for the place when you have
done
And the bodies2'
Into the pit
The executioners took down two heavy
cimeters that hung against the wall. and
having taken lamp they departed on
their fearful mission.
The Christian prisoners were seated in
their respective places, and their chains
were gathered about them Utter dark
ness surrounded them, but they thought
not of sleep.
'Hark p uttered Pedro Il heard
step approaching
so did L. returned Charles
What means a visit at thi. time p
I'VE will fnd out if they come
They have stopped. All there goes
the bolt of the outer door =
Yes, uttered Charles, with quick
breath. Gather your heavy chain for ac-
ton, Pedro By heavens if they've
come to murder US they shall find our
lives dear
L am ready whispered Pedro. BE
sure and look to it that your feetare clear
In moment more the inner door of
the dungeon was opened, and the rays of
a lamp shone in upon the prisoners
Charles saw two men, and he saw. too.
that they were both armed He guessed
the mission upon which they had come
What seek We here p the knight asked,
as the man who bore the lamp sat it down
at the door
You'd better not ask any questions.
Al r ~