The Worthington advance., 1882-08-03
THE FETTERED KNIGHT.

MY name IS Rene Lemon. l. WAS JraV"
cling in Persia during the time of the
war between that power and Great Brit
ain. I reckoned::on my nationality to pro-
tect me from any molestation. In this
was deceived. One day, having strayed
some distance from my party, was
seized by band of horse guards of one
Of the most powerful sheiks. I pre-
sumo he was ignorant Of the difference
between Frenchman and an English
man, or, perhaps, he thus wantonly took
the opportunity to secure a slave. Pos
sjbly he may have confounded me with
one of the British cavalry officers whom
I had been told I rcsembled. At any
rate I was in his power, and certainly
from no friendly design OIL his part. AS
was brought into his presence he was en-
gagged in game of chess with u female
of graceful person, but whose features on
account of the customary veil, could
not discover. The sheik addressed Inc.
but as I did not understand the Persian
language did not reply. Bending
fierce, vjndictive glance a, me, he gave
some order to my attendants which in
terpreted from their movements to be
nv immediate death. Re-iterating the
order in peremptory tone, he turned
to finish his game.
As l was being led out lucky thought
struck me. Motioning to my gaurds to
allow me to address their ruler, l ad-
yanced. and by signs intimatcd that 7
too, could play chess. | had not calcu-
lated wrongly. like all players the
Persian was deslrous Of encOuntering
new antagonists, and no doubt he felt
a special desire to engage with one who
came from foreign land. Ordering my
hands to be unbound, he motioned
me to a seat opposite him, the young
female ielding me her place. Chance
gave him the move. He opened with
the Aleppo gambit, and, as the game
proceeded, soon saw that l was
stronger player than my captor. |
feared, however, to play my strength;
for to win the game might be to lose
my slender chance Of respite. So, after
struggle which purposely prolonged,
the game was drawn.
The chief appeared somewhat nettIed
at this, and l inferred that he was un-
used to lack of success, still less to defeat.
So the next game allowed him to win,
after brisk but sharp pcontest. This put
hlm in thorough good humor, aud he
Immediately reset tho men for q third
game, ut the same time dismissing all
the guards but one. At this my spirits
and hopes rose. Could SO play my game
rs to interest this savage my execution
might be indefinitely postponed. Thus,
time might be gained, ii opportunity
should offer, to even effect escape-so
ready is Hope with her promise So,
after Il long series Of moves, allowed
him to score the third. Highly clatcd at
his successes he pushed the board from
him and spoke to the attendant guard.
! was then conducted through the gar
den into an outer building or sort oftowc,
the whim of the sheik to amuse him
with my chess play. My conjecture
proved to be correct; for, on the follow
ing day, I was conducted again to the
sheik, and, as before, we played three
games-he, of course, scoring them all.
For three weeks affairs thus continued,
the chief winning from me each day two
or three haru-fOught games. At our in
terviews the same yelled female to whom
| have before alluded was always pres
ent. | tried hard to get sight of her
face, but WAS baftied bv the ilnperyious
veil. thought, however, that could
detect in her eyes, which were large
and luscious, an expression of compass
sion and Fsympathy when they encoun-
tered my glance.
During the intervals between our daily
bouts minutely and anNiously scanned
every possible avenue of escape. The
apartment in which was confined over
looked a river about fifty yards wide.
On the inside, in the garden, guards
were stationed. So escape seemed i'm
possible.
One day, as looked from my window,
I. I thought detected the presence Of a
body Of armed men in the plain on the
other side Of the river 1t Immediately
occurred to me that this might be a de-
tachment of British cavalry But on
: looking in the direction Of the course of
the stream detected at some distance
another similar body of men. 1t could
8 not be that they were both English, for
their attitude toward each other was
shost tile and their demonstrations men
acing.
However, had no time for further OBJ
servation as was sent for to furnish my
usual daily sport. While on our way to
the sheik's apartment | noticed among
the guards preparation for departure.
The household attendants were also
packing up. AS took my place at the
board, also noticed that the yelled Ia
dy gave me glance which was more
than usually sorroWfnl, and that the
sheik looked stern and threatening. My
fears were suddenly reused, and 1 de-
duced the conclusion that as an enemy
was near at hand, removal necessary
and a fight imminent, my execution SO
long delayed, was to take place after
this our last contest.
While revolving these bitter thoughts
in my mind, the skcik, as usual had won
the game. AS though bored by constant
success he was about to sweep the men
from the board. \ thought struck me.
If l am to die, will at least dispossess
your mind of the Idea that you are my
superior at chess! So reset my men
and his, tco, thus polntedly challenging
him to one more trial. He turned again to
play: 1t was my move, and held the
attack throughout. After seventeen
moves, | announced mate in five
moves. The sleik was astonished.
Though provoked, he evidently attribut-
ed my success to lack Of attention on
his part. SO we set to again. This time
Viz CISlS1tl HUI C\NcHIly Ilduc up Ills
mind not to allow himself to be distract
ed: But again won with ease. The
third game resulted in like manner.
On commencing the fourth it removed
the rook and this time the result was, il
anything, more dis sastrous for the sheik
than before. BY this time the chief was
wild with rage. But 1 reset the men,
anxious for another game, as took a
grim delight in thus revcnsin2 myself
When he at length brought himself to
resume play, l crowned my queens
knight, signing to him that with that
piece l would mate him. The game then
proceeded.
As was about to deliver the final
coup, the shcik sprang up in a frenzy of
passion. Springing to the window, with
voice hoarse with passion, he yelled to
the guards. As this was transpiring the
veiled lady came forward, and seizing a
piece herself, executed the final move,
saying in Spanish as she did so.
.Thus the fettered knight wins-across
the river" ~
~ She could say no more, as the
guards entered and seized me. From