The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1882-08-03
THE FETFERRD RNI&HT,>:

Il
>~-~$- & J. / --
My name is Rene Lenoir. 1 was tray
cling inPersis during the, nma sthe
war between that power and Great Brits
ain: ! reckonednn hynah don ally q pro-
tect me from any molestation. In this
vas deceived. One day, having strayed
some distance from my party, l was
Seized by 4 band Of horse guards of one
Of the most powerful sheikA ! = pre-.
s],lne he was ignorant Of the difference
between Frenchman and al English.
man. or, perhaps, be thus wantonly took
the opportunity to secure slave. Pos.
sibly he may have confounded me with
one Of the British cavalry officers whom
had been told | resemblel At any
rate was in his power, and certainly
from no friendly design on his part. As
was brought into his presence he was en-
gagged in game Of chess with a female
Of graceful person, but whose features on
account OF the customary uNeil, | could
NOT discovers, The shsik addressed me
but rs did not understand the Persian
language l did not reply. Bending u
fierce, vindictive glance a, me, he gave
some order to my attendants which in
terpreted from their movements to be
my Immediate death. Re-iterating the
order IN peremptorv tone, he turned
to finish his game
As | WAS being led out lucky thought
struck me. Motionine to nv yaurds to
allow me to address their ruler, i nd-
Vanced, and BY signs inti1nated that | ).
too. could play chess. | had not calcu-
lated wrongly. Like all players the
Persian was DESTROYS of encounteriug
new antagonists, and no doubt he felt
u special desire to engage with one who
came from foreign land. Ordering. nv
hands to be unbound, he motionetl
me to seat opposite him, the young
temale yielding me her place. Chance
gave him the move. He opened with
the Aleppo gambit, and, as the game
proceeded, | soon saw that was
stronger player than my captor. 1
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 Some hat nettIed
at this, and inferred that he was I'M
used to lack Of success, still less to defeat.
So the next game allowed him to win,
after brisk but sharp contest. This put
HIM in thorough good humor, and he
Immediately reset the men for a third
game, at the same time disnissing all
the guards but one. At this my spirits
and hopes rose. Could 50 play my game.
rs to interest this savage my execution
might be indefinitely postponed. Thus,
time might be gained, if opportunity
should offer, to even, effect esape-so
ready is Hope with her promise. Soy
him to score the third Highly elated at
his successes he pushed the board from
him and spoke to the attendant guard.
was then conducted through the gar
den into all outer building or sort oftoN Fl.
From this I conjeetlfed that it vas
the Whiin of the sheik to amuse him
with my chess play: My conjecture
proved to be correct; for, on the follow
ing day, l 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 hard-fousht games. At our in
tervlews the same yelled female to;whonl
have before alluded was always pres
ent. | tried hard to get asight of her
face, but was baft1ed by the impervious
veil. i thought, however, that / could
detsct in her eyes, which were large
and luscious, an expression Of compass
sion and Fsympathv when they encooun-
tered my lance.
During the Intervals between our daily
bouts infinitely and anxiously scanned
every possible avenue Of escape. The
apartment in which was confined over
looked 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,
thought detected the presence OF q
body Of armed men in the plain on the
other side of the river. It immediately
occurred to me that this might De 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. It could
not be that they were both English, for
their attitude toward each other was
hostile and their demonstrations nell
Aring.
However, I had no time for further OBJ
seryation as l was sent for to furnish my
usual daily sport. While on our way to
1he'shelk's apartment | noticed among
the guards preparation for departure
The household attendants were also
packingup: AS | took my place at the
board, l also noticed that the yelled la
than usually s0rrowful, and that the
sheik looked stern and threatening. Ny
fears were suddenly reused, and / de-
duced the conclusion that rs an enemy
was near at hand, removal necessary
and fight imminent, my execution so
long delayed, was to>-take place after
this our last contest. -
While revolving these bitter thoughts
in roy mind, the skeik, as usual had Won
the game. AS though bored by constant
success he was about to sweep the men
from the board A thought struck me.
If am to die, will at least ,ispossess
your mind Of the idea that you are my
superior at chess! So reset my men
him himt to- one rG md 5a k" He
play 1t was my move ,galn Il held tie
attack throughout After Seventeen
moves, l announced mate in five
moves. The skek was astonished.
Though provoked, he evidently attribut-
ed my MicCes>, to- lack IF $attention on
LID kuASs ~ VIC oCt W LILO tIAAC
the Persian had evidently made Up his.
mind not to allow himself to be distract
ed But again T. won With ease. The
third game resulted in like manner.
On commencing the fourth it removed
the rock and this time the result. was, il
anything, more disastrous for the sheik
than before. By this time the chief was
wild with rage. But | reset the men,
anxious for another game, as took
grim delight in thus revenging myself
When he at lengtf brought himself to
ssSs5ss sl Rla b s1E'e tsa Saf
piece 1w9uld mate him The game then
proceeded.
AsI was about to deliver the final.
:or>A the sheik sprang up in a frenzy Of
passion. Springing to- the window, with
voice hoarse with passion he yelled to.
he guards. As tfis, w3gtranSb ding 1.-THE
,eiled lady came forward, and Selling
,iece herself, executed the final move,
aving in Spanish as she: did,so. -5'ry7;', <
/ ''Thus the fettered knight wins-across
The river" f.
/ She could say no more, H. the
yards entered and seized me. From
their ulanner onsOtA WaYstO MyaQF1H4fo6s'