Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1890-09-18
THE LIVING CHESS-MEN.
A Desperate Game for Life or
Death in India.

This game reminds me of great
chess-game that once played" said
the Captain, as he checkmated his op-
ponent's king and drew back in his
chair TO begin story. '1t was the
great game Of my life," he continued,
'and l shall never forget It, In fact
we we're playing with living chess-men
You don't believe it, eh? Well, just
listen to my story, and you'll think such
playing as this mere fooling."
We had been playing for nearly two
hours, and the Captains skill had won.
His love for the game of chess was only
second to his love for his profession, and
his life as a soldier had given him plen-
ty Of opportunities to crafty his pas
sion In this particular.
You remember l spent a couple of
years in India, when a young fellow, and
during that time / met with many ad-
ventures that none of you have ever
heard. Although / have seen considerable
service since then, and some hard work
and fighting, i think. on the whole, that
those two years were the most exciting
OF my life. We we're on the constant
90 then, and II we weren't hunting men
we we're hunting wild beasts in the
jungles.
my friend Captain Rawdon was an
English officer stationed at Calcutta at
the time he invited me to visit him He
had just taken wifo in that far-off
country, and they we're living happily
in neat little place a short distance
out Of the city. He wanted me to come
out and see him, and above all TO select
a wife from among the English ladies
that wero living there at the time. Jack
always took fatherly interest in me in
this way, but unfortunately his plans
never worked out we'll.
"Well, to make long story short,
went out to Calcutta one year and found
every thing just as my friend represent
ed IT, It was a delightful place for
hunting, and we did some pretty rough
riding over the country and through the
jungles in pursuit Of game. l managed
10 secure my first tman-eater shortly after
I arrived, aud several other tough Gus
toners. Jack roamed over the country
with me whenever he could get away
from his duty, and together we succeed
cd in having a pretty lively time
Jacks wife was a pretty. piquant-look-
ing lady. the daughter Of an old En-
glish officer who had died in the East
Indian service. She took a great friend
II interest in me. and / returned her
feelings with interest When we we're
not hunting we would spend hours
listening 10 Evelyns playing or sing
ing, which was truly delightful recrea-
ti0n.
''Our mutual friendship thus grew
apace. and we all three began to look
ahead and regret the time Of our part
ing. Ny duty called me back to Amer
lea in a few months, and was almost
IS loath 70 leave as they were to have
me 60. Jack vainly implored me to
enter into business in Calcutta and
take up my permanent abode there. but
] told him that had other ties and in
terests TO draw me away. yet I should
have almost decided to stay with them
longer IL an Incident had not occurred
which made me rather tired Of India.
sOne day rumors came in that there
was trouble With the Hindoos There
were risings in various parts Of the
country. and The British residents be-
gan 70 trembie for their lives Jack.
as Captain in the army. had 10 leave his
home to help quel the rebellions I CT
eozzss sas lsit - psesess his hons and