Payette enterprise. (Payette, Canyon Co., Idaho) 1909-1935, 1911-07-13

A contempt for death Is the main
cause OF the triumph Of the diminutive
japanese over the largest (territorially
and numerically nation Of Europe.
/ One OF the japanese leaders of the
7 instruction against the emperor Of
Japan in 1873 was Count saigo. The
revolt was a failure. and toward the
close the count was shut up In his
fortress. the enemy slowly but surely
surrounding ii and cutting of every
avenue of escape. At last 1t was evi-
dent 10 the count that the capture OF
his castle was but question of time,
and he knew that when that time came
his head would be stricken from his
body. Then the leader retired to the
living rooms with a party of his most
intimate associates and, calling for his
chessboard, sat down for a game.
He had played but a few minutes
when a messenger from one Of his
lieutenants came hurrying in with the
news that the enemy had captured an
important outpost The count simply
bowed his head TO Indicate that he had
heard the message and understood the
situatio then he went on with the
game
There were a number Of lookers-On
criticising the play, rallying the play
ers when a bad move was made. chaff-
ing one another. laughing, gosslping
evidently unmindful that an enemy
was closing in upon them, and when
the castle was captured many il not
all OF them would be put to the sword.
AS If the game stood for that more
important battle going on outside,
Count Saiso's king was gradually be
ing driven into corner.
Check said his adversary.
The count took one of his adver-
sary's unimportant pieces, thus delay
ing temporarily the final catastrophe.
Another messenger came in and
said
The enemy have captured the round
tower OF the west angle. This puts
him in possession OF the angle, and he
Is now scaling the inner wall with
ladders"
Again the count nodded his head pO-
Iltely TO indicate that he had heard
and that the messenger might consider
himself dismissed. Then, dropping his
eyes again upon the chessbOard, be
said quietly:
"Your move"
His adversary replied by taking one /
Of Count Saigo's castles.
SO the game went on. la different .
parts OF the room groups were anus /
Ing themselves. chatting, telling sto- !
ries. laughing No one entering the
without knowledge of the
anemy's presence without would have
dreamed that these men were being
closed in upon, and that
within shmt time the heads Of most
IF them would be rolling on the
ground.
The enemy have scaled the outer
walls ON the east and are pouring
Town into the moat. They win soon
,e on the inner wall. from which they
nay drop into the court"
This was the report of the third mes
ieuger The count gave him the same
dismissal. this time with
lls hand on his knight while studying
whether to make move with It.
~ check" he said as he took up his
,lece and put it down in another
quare.
"The enemy are dropping into the
curt at the west angle" said another
but our men are making
good fight there"
The counts opponent moved out OF
heck. leaving his adversary in n worse
position than before. From this point
he counts king was being gradually
and an expert at chess
ould see sure defeat In a given I
lumber OF moves. The game interest
Il the players and the lookers-ou; but,
Judging from appearances, that dread
pl game outside was Of no importance
. them. Aud yet they knew that in t
given number of successive moves !
ure to come they would be at the ,
mercy of their enemies. and for rebels
here was no mercy,
THE enemy are climbing the walls
d every dircctlonr cried the last mes
enger who was destined TO carry
ews OF the successes of the emperor's :
rUOps.
A checkmate for Count SaigO was :
IRE to occur within two moves. They
'ere made aud the game was finished.
Using. the count said:
Gentlemen. now il is time"
Those about waited in Difference TO
soir leader. who said to one standing Z
oSlde hun:
"My sword bearer"
There was pause in the converSa-
on. The jeSts, the laughter, every
,und within the room, ceased. With
NJ the yellS Of the enemy. breaking Z
trough opposing obstacles, were loud 4
nd fierce Not u man inside moved; :
Ut a countenance displayed any aglta- .
on. All waited respectfully for their Z
adler 10 take such action as he deem
! proper.