The Montgomery tribune. (Montgomery City, Mo.) 1892-1910, 1903-01-30
$50 the great game Of chess was

so the great game Of chess was
planned, and the chief. to make il
more impressive. called a holiday for
it. More than hat, he decided that
1t should be a game with human play
ers. In the public square he ordered
a big chess board to BE- laid of with
black and white places for the players
to stand on. Then around this square
he had seats erected for his courtiers
and fayoritcs. Next he caused a sort
Of chair Of state to he erected on n
side. overlooking the whole scene,
and another opposite for Strander.
In these chairs the two players were
to sit while they played their strange
game Of chess.
1--WE were all led forth from our
vile prison one day and conducted to
the square, where a crowd was assem-
bled. We had no idea of the impor-
tant game, nor, Of the responsibility
placed upon S~trander's shoulders.
We took our places upon the white
squares, while the chief ordered some
Of his dusky warriorsto take positions
on the black squares.
ave were all arranged then for
actual playing. 1t was a rather pic
turesquc sight from the chiefs high
point Of view, but the horrible import
of the whole performance gradually
dawned upon US, and We had no eyes
for the beauty or picturesqueness OF
the scene. We watched Strander
with pale faces, while that individual
returned our gaze stonily and coolly.
lie was playing for a terrible stake,
and 10 lives depended upon the skill
Of his moves. The chief was no mean
player, although ordinarily Strander
could easily have beaten him, but
the anxiety Of his position seemed 10
tell severely on him. lie played az
parently with reckless haste, making
blunders that brought forth harsh
laughs from the chief and wild shouts
from the spectators. One by one
Strander's pawns were captured and
removed from the board. Then ont
Of his castles followed, and next Q
knight. His king was also nearly cor
} nered, so that for a time il looked as
IL il was caught. The old chief hao
the word check already framed OF
his lips when Strander seemed to pull
himself together with an effort, ant
by a dexterous move e%xtricated hi
. king from its pcrilous position.
! "The game then proceeded NOR
slowly. Strandcr studied the dusk.
warriors of his opponcnta as they stoo'
in their positions OH the queer ches
board. lie moved the few remaining
t fellows of his crew with slowness an'
I precision. | had been selected as
G knight. and | found myself time AM
t again brought into such close proxim
c ity to the chiefs knight that ieare'
c for my freedom. But in some strang
way Strander always brought me GU
y of the dangerous position. and by far
sighted planning gave me a chancet
capture some of the pawns OF the en-
envy.
my greatest triumph came when
captured in a double play the chief
y bishop and castle. Nothing coul'
have made me feel happier at that mo
ment, and | could see the chief seow
6 with anger and determination. TIL
loss Of these men made the battl
more equal, and the chief grew nerv
d Gus and restless. His fingers playe'
S feverishly with his long tunic, and HI
mustache wal twisted and twirle
c several times between each play. Iii
C warriors also lost their cheerful man
ners and no longer shouted when h
c made a move.
"But Strander wa Ikea sphin,
I He was sober and serious, and his eye
$ were glued upon the players befor
o him. Thought he often looked at m
with a queer expression, and eve
\ when he was watching his opponent
d play a CLEAN from the corne Of hi