The independent. (Harrisonburg, La.) 1853-18??, 1860-12-19

Tie attendant withdrew, and soon returne
with Anhcd ben Xanac. He advanced to tn
Iprince and knelt before him.
Rise old frieud!" exclaimed Yusef; tho
art right welcome here. How fares M
royal brother! Well, trust"
His majesty now lies al the point O
deatll;" replied Amhed, without meeting tn
eyes Of the prince. For the Alcade of Sa
lobrena," he continued, "his majesty hath sen
this letter."
AS he spoke, he handed the letter to Mus
tapha.
The latter took the letter and reverentl
opened it. As he read, an exclamation 0
astonishment burst from him, then he be
came very pale, and violently sgta;ed.
When he had finished. lie turned to The
prince and made several efforts to speak
but he could not art culate word
"What aileth thee, Musiapha!' asked the
prince.
In vain Mustapha endeavored to reply to
him. He could not utter word.
Yussef took the kings letter and read as
follows
"ALCADE OF SALoBRESA, my servant
| Gas soon as Amhed ben Narac, officer of
"my guards, shall deliver thee this writing,
thou wilt put to death the Cid Yussef, my
'brolher, aud send his head by the same
messenger. rely on thy yea! to serve me.
"MAHoMMED.'
While reading this heartless order, Yusset
maintained the most perfect composure.
When he had finished it he handed it back
II 81 f,,,r g
lence be turned to Amhed and said,
"Grant me two hours to take leave Of nv
family"
Il cannot, your hghness," replied Amhed
"The day is already far advanced, and unless
| lay your head at the kings feet at sunset.
my own viii lie there also"
After another pause, the prince exclaimed:
''It will take sometime to prepare for the
execution. Grant me then, time to finish
this game of chess!'
Nay, nay, your highness, csnnol!' re-
piled Amhed.
"Bethirk thee, ben Xarac, tits the last re-
quest shall ever make" said Yussef ''And
thou owest me boon. Dost thou remember
when we both were beardless boys, thou
lidst incur my royal fathers wrath, and the
dread doom, which must meet, was assign
ed thee. Moved with pity for MY playmate,
did beg thy life. Now ask but time to end
this game. Canst thou refuse meG'
BE it as your biehness Wishes" replied
Amhed, after moments hesitation.
He Immediately left the room, aad soon
returned. followed by file of soldiers. Some
Of them strewed the floor with straw; and
one advanced TO the centre of the apartment
and stood leaning on his cleaning cimetar
In the meantime, the prince and Musta-
pha continued their game. 1t was striking
scene. The calm and con posed prince, and
the agitated and trembling alcade, bending
over the board. Back of them stood Amhed,
gloomy ana impatient; back Of him the men-
at arms and waiting executiouer, while, like
the frame of picture, rose on all sides the
gloomy walls Of The apartment.
As the game progressed, Amhed, who was
an excellent player. forgot his impotence in
his interest in it. The prince rlayed calmly
and coolIy, and frequently rallied Mustapha
upon his awkwardness. The latter was so
agitated that he could scarcely make one sin
gle move.
An hour passed by, and at last the game
was finished. Yu,sef rose slowly, and began
to disrobe. When he had finished, he frs,
bade adieu 10 Amhed and then to Mustapha.
The. aIcade wept like child; for the kind
ness and many virtues Of Yussef had endear-
ed him to all in the fortress:
"To you, my kind triend," said tie prince,
Il commit my family. Say to them that my
last PRAYER was that Allah may be kind 10
them. Tell them that met death like
brave man. The only regret feel is, that "A
brother bids me die"
Then kneeing and turning to Amhed, be
exclaimed:
Il am ready. ! die ike true believer
There is but one God, and Mohammed is his
prophet"
The execu,ioner, at sign from Amhed,
advanced; the glttering cimetar flashed ID
The air, and with the speed Of ofIightning de- !,
scen,led-
But not upon the prince. As it by magic,
a band of Moorish sheiks rushed into The |
room; the descending blow was warsled of I
md in a twikling the execulione,'s head /
rolled upon the floor. Yussef sprang up in
,mazement:
"What means this2" he exclaimed.
"lt means, your highness," replied ona OF
he sheiks, while all knelt revereniIy, 'that
he ty,ant is dead; aud in the name of de- /
ioted people. greet thee our future king" +
Yussef Ill. mounted the throne amid the
ejoicings Of long oppressed and newly
reed nation. His reign was long and bril-
liant, and he died monrned by all his sub
ects-a circumstance very rare in Moorish
,isiory.
Two persons were once di>puting SO Ion Nv I
N the subject Of religion, that they awoke /
zig dog which had been sleeping on the
,earth before them, and he forthwith ba,ked
most furiously. An old divine present, who