The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1903-01-08

precision. I had been selected IS
knight, and 1 found myself time anC
again brought into such close rsoxin'
ity to the chiefs knight that feared
for my freedom. But in some strange
way Strandcc always brought ne cIt
OF the dangerous position, and by far
sighted planning gave me a chance tc
capture some of the pawns CT the
enemy.
"Sly greatest triumph came whcn~4
captured in double play the chiefs
bishop and castle. Nothing could have
made me feel happier at tha- moment.
and I could see the chief scowl with
anger and determination. The loss OF
these men made the battle more equal,
and the chief grew nervous and rest
less. His fingers played fcverisi,ly
with his long tunic, and his mustache
was twisted and twirled several times
between each play. His warriors also
lost their cheerful manners and 10
longer shouted when he made 4 move.
"But Strander was like a sphinx.
He was sober and serious. and his eyes
were glued upon the players before
him. 1 thought be often looked at me
with a queer expression. and even
when he was watching his opponents
play a CLEAN from the corner Of his
eyes appeared to take me in. Was he,
after all, merely playing with the king
to give him the impression that it WAS
4 hard-fought game? I began to be-
lieve that he was only fooling with
his antagonist, and that the game was
we'll within hand. The suspicion was
further confirmed by the way he eyed
me. I felt certain that he had selected
me for some sharp work, and that he
was planning a grand ~-eeeeaHss--,w -eeeas which
would end the game. I grew more
confident at this and breathed easier.
'But following this came series Of
mishaps Or mistakes which raised the
hopes Of the b!oodthicsty warriors
around. Four pawns, castle, and
bishop We're swept in rapid succession
from the chess board. I fairly gasped
in surprise at this, coming so soon
after my confidence in Strander's
strategy. The shouts Of approval
which rent the air made me feel faint
and dizzy. I looked around. There
were barely half dozen Of my crew
left on the board. The others had all
been captured. The game was surely
lost, and our lives would pay the pen
atty.
''The old chief, in bis glee, made two
rapid moves to corner Stander's king
and queen. Strander appeared fright
ened and demoralized. Then he quiet
ly made a few moves, and, IN voice
that seemed plaintively modest ard
frightened, he said:
"'Your Majesty is checked!'
"The chief uttered sort Of growl
and moved his king to one side.
Strander followed up his advantage,
and called check again. In some mys-
terious way Strander had arranged his
few remaining men SO that they
seemed suddenly to close in upon the
chiefs cornered king. In vain the old
man studied the puzzle, and tried to
plan a way cf escape. 1t was trap
so neatly laid and sprung that it took
some time for the spectators to realize
it. An intense hush fell upon the au-
dience. The chiefs face worked spas
medically. He was facing defeat, but
it was hard to acknowledge it. 1t was
the first time that any one had de-
feated him at his favorite game. How
would he accept the defeat? Even be-
fore the game was declared finished
every one Of us was questioning in our
mind whether the old mans premise
would be redeemed. Even Strander
was in doubt. and We could see the
working of his face.
''The- chief bowed his head and
shaded bis eyes. Three times he looked
up at the sky and blinked his eyes.
Then he glanced coldly at his opponent
seated opposite. a wave Of his hand
summoned one of his warriors to him.
Stretching forth his arm, he shouted:
"'Take them away from me! 1 never
want to see his face again! Away with
him! Away with him..
"Was this our sentence? Did it mean
immediate execution? That question
also puzzled the old warrior, for he
asked something in an undertone.
"'No, nor shouted the chief; I gave
nv word. They shall be free. Take
them away and give them their free
dom. But never let me sec his face
again"
"Strander had mortally offended him
in defeating him at chess, but he had
also saved our lives. The old chief
was bowed with grief and mortifca-
ton when they led US away. An e1-
preston of pity entered Strander's
face, and for a moment it seemed as
if he would face the danger Of speak
ing to the chief and asking his par
don. But he thought better of it and
walked away with us. We were con-
Quoted to the coast and placed in boats
which carried us to the mainland.
There We met a ship in time which
carried us home.
''It seemed like miraculous escape,
but after all it was due entirely to
Strander's skill. He had the old chief
beaten from the beginning, but he had
played carefully with him to keep him
from losing his temper. He was afraid
even then that he would not keep his
promise; but sometimes savage has
as good sense Of honor as 4 civilized
man. and certainly one who could play
such game of chess ought to. Don't
you think so, boys?'-New York Times.
Ter Incomr.