St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1893-08-17


Eight men had one horse left among
them. What was Mehemed going o
say7 The Bedouins, yet young, were
cast down at the thought of death.
They knew their leader would have
no pity for them and still sadder
were they at the loss of their beloved
horses. Of what use is man with
out horse?
MORALLY worried at the punish
ment they expected, they returned to
headquarters, and, brought face to
face with Ahmanzade, they narrated
what had happened; how they had
disobeyed his orders, how they had
fallen asleep after drinking the liquor,
how the last two watchers had play
ed chess, and finally how they had
lost their horses. Ahmanzade was
not in the habit of making display
of passion when he had to pass SEN
tence. In his immovable face, no one
could read whether he decreed life or
death.
"As for eight men there remains
only one horse" he remarked, you
will agree with me, that there are
seven of you too many. Ihavenever
read in the Koran nor in the Azorat
that eight men should ride one horse,
and as you are such good players,
sit down and let skill decide which Of
you is to be the man who is
to have the one horse. All the 9TH
ers are sentenced to die"
Having said this, Ahmanzade had
four chess-boards broughtiin, for the
Turks are in the habit of carrying
chess-boards with them, even in war.
AS soon as the men were arranged,
he ordered the Bedouins to begin
their play.
Twelve of the best marksmen were
ready with their rifles to shoot the
losers. Two or three gave in at once
to their stronger adversaries; in 9th
ers, despair battled with craftiness
against the advantage of their more
skillful opponents, and the former
would win when the latter had vic
tory in their hands.
The losers were Immediately re-
moved, and the noise ofseveral shots
indicated that they had ceased to
exist.
The first tilt was over. -Four had
lost, four were winners. These last
were paired. New hopes and new
fears. A danger would pass unob-
served, and he who had made the err
ror would raise cry which was his
death sentence.
Again two lost, and again two
were shot. And now only two re-
mained-Maruf and Sefer. They
found themselves, as they had been
before, in front of the campfire.
They were the best players. They
began the game with good deal Of
caution, resting their foreheads on
the palms Of their hands, thought
fully calculating every move, without
hesitating but without hurrying.
For long while neither Of the two
succeeded in obtaining an advantage;
for each gain there was an equal sac
rihce.
The spectators nod to each other
when either one makes a brilliant
move. Little by little, the number
Of pawns on the chess-board dimin-
ishes; the main figures lie scattered
to the right and to the left; the Stu
alton becomes palmer; a few more
moves and Sefer will lose his castle.
Maruf has one more castle than his
adversary, and this means a good
deal at the present stage ofthe game.
The crowd believes that the game is
in his hands.
All of sudden, great drops of
sweat cover the forehead of Maruf-
a fear overtakes him, he trembles
through all his body. He has noticed
that, if his adversary sacrifices his
queen instead of the castle, he can
checkmate him with the bishop.
Would Sefer see that move? On that
depends life and death
Sefer looks at the chess-board for a
long while; his looks betray that he
has seen the move that will save
him. But he does not touch the men,
and he seems to hesitate.
"Marvf," he asks all of sudden,
chow many children have you at
home ?"
-Four" is the answer that comes
from trembling lips.
"You have a good wife?'
"An excellent wife" ans wers Maruf
with a sigh.
Sefer passes a hand over his face,
and begins to murmur as though he
were praying.
Then he asks for water, he washes
his eyes, his hands, first the left
had, then the right hand. Unseen,
two guardian angels watch ever by
those who pray.
yesterday night you gave me the
game so that l might sleep" he says.
Maruf does not answer, but bows
his head in assent.
"You have always been a good
friend of mine, Maruf."
Maruf let's his head drop on his
breast entirely overcome. Sefer then
slowly lifts his hand to the chessboard