Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1894-02-01

The Bedouins, yet young, were cast down
at the thought of death. The 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 a man with
out a horse?
Morally worried at the punishment they
expected, they returned to headquarters,
and, brought face to face with Ahmanzadc,
they narrated what had happened, how
they had disobeyed his orders, how they
had fallen asleep after drinking the liquor,
how the last two watchmen had played
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 sentence. 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. have never 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 others are sentenced to die"
Having said this, Ahmanzade had four
chessboards brought in, for the Turks are
in the habit of carrying chessboards 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 others despair battled
with craftincss against the advantage of
their more skillful opponents, and the for
mer would win when the latter had vic
tory in their hands,
The losers were Immediately removed,
and the noise of several 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 unobserved, and he who had made the
error would raise cry which was his death
sentence.
Again two lost, and again two were shot,
And now only two remained-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 a good deal of caution, resting
their foreheads on the palms of their hands,
thoughtfully calculating every move, with
out hesitating, but without hurrying.
For long while neither of the two sue
ceeded in obtaining an advantage. For each
gain there was an equal sacrifice.
The spectators nod to each other when
either one makes brilliant move. Little
by little the number of pawns on the chess
board diminishes the main figures lie scat
tered to the right and to the left; the situa-
ton becomes palmer; few more moves,
and Sefer will lose his castlel
Maruf has one more castle than his adj
velsary, and this means good deal at the
present stage Of the game. The crowd be-
lieyes that the game is in his hands.
All of sudden great drops of sweat cover
the forehead of Maruf--a fear overtakes
him; he trenlbles through all his body. He
has noticed that If his adversary sacrifices
his queen instead Of his castle he can check
mate him with the bishop Would Sefer
see that move? On that depend life and
death!
Sefer looks at the chessboard for 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
"Maruf," he asks all of sudden, show
many children have you at home?"
-Four" is the answer that comes from
trembling lips.
"You have good wifes"
IAN excellent wife," answered Maruf,
with sigh.
Sefer passes hand over his face and be-
gins to murmuras though he werc praying
Then he asks for water. He washes his
eyes, his hands-frst the left hand, then
the right hand. Unseen two guard ian an
gels watch ever by those who pray.
Yesterday night you gave me the game
SO that might Sleep" he says.
Maruf does not answer, but bows his head
in assent.
You have always been good friend Of
mine, Maruf."
Maruf lets his head drop on his breast en-.
tirely overcome. Sefer then slowly lifts his
hand to the chessboard and makes move,
not with the queen. but with the castle.
''Checkmatedr' you hear murmured on
all sides. Maruf has won and Sefer lost.
Sefer rises quietly offers his hand for tho
last time to his friend, Maruf, who seems
nailed to his place, and signals to the sol.
diers to be ready. Two seconds later a shot
announces that the tournament is over.
But Maruf does not STIR With intent
eye he looks at the board, and with trem-
bling hand he puts the pawns in their
places, but like one who does not know
which are the places assigned to them The
other men are confused with the pawns,
the white with the black
''Get up" exclaimed Ahmanzade. 'Rido
your horse; you are to live!'
The man, however, does not move and
continues with his vacant stare to arrange
the chessboard, making strange moves with
the figures.
What an absurditym he exclaims,
laughing recklessly. Zone has turban
and the other a horses hcad"
'Pick him up" orders Mehemed. And
two soldiers lift him. Maruf, however,
continued to laugh with lunatic's laugh.
Heaven, earth and men were now alike ull.
known to him.
During the last move he had become
mad. Translated From the Hungarian For
Romance.
A Conscientious Cab Driver.
A famous English actor once undertook
to take part In a certain amateur perform
ance at Richmond, but as he had to act the
4 4 l.