A . GAME OF CHESS.

Waikato Argus, Volume IV, Issue 269, 2 April 1898, Page 1 (Supplement)

A . GAME OF CHESS.

[From the Turkish.] AriMAUZADE Mehemed, the commander of the auxiliary troops of Tunis, was known far and wide on account of the unusually strict discipline which he maintained among his soldiers.

" You must fear me, not the enemy !" he was in the habit of saying to the recruits who were sent to his force, and it is certain that his soldiers were always brave heroes, who knew no fear in battle but trembled before their commander.

Once it happened that he stationed eight mounted men before the five wells of Arta, from which the Greeks most frequently made their attacks. They had received the strictest orders to stop everyone who passed, not to close an eye, and not to take their feet from the stirrups.

The soldiers obeyed their orders. Toward midnight a cart tried to pass unnoticed, but they saw it in time, and stopped it. The man who was driving the oxen fled, leaving his vehicle behind him. In the cart was a cask, and they could discover its contents without

taking their feet from the stirrups or closing their eyes, for they only needed to remove the bung to allow a delicious fragrance of liquor to rise.

The soldiers were not forbidden to drink liquor when they captured it. Besides, they did not even pour it out of the cask, but merely thrust in a long reed, through which they began to suck the sweet, enlivening moisture. How could anything sucked through a long slender reed be harmful ? It could not even be called "drinking." Yet the Prophet says, with truth, that wine is a treacherous liquid, in which Satan has hidden his tongue, for this drink persuades men to do everything that is evil.

.First it made the soldiers wonder why they sat on their horses in the hard saddles when the grass on the ground was sott. Even if they should stretch themselves on the turf a little while nobody would be the wiser, they could tie their horses to the cart and they would not betray the secret. And when they were lying on the grass the diabolical drink suggested that it was not necessary for all the eight men to watch; four would be enough for that, while the other four could give themselves up to sleep, that noble gift of God.

The four men who now watched alone found it a long time before their turn to sleep came, so they agreed that two of them should lie down and the other two should watch. The names of those who remained awake were Maruf and Sefer.

"Do you know, Maruf," said Sefer to his companion, " that two men are doing the same work ? One of us is enough to keep watch. Am I right ?" Maruf agreed. " We'll play a game of chess. Whoever loses shall stay awake • the winner shall be allowed to sleep." Maruf accepted the proposition.

At first Sefer had the advantage, but the stupefying liquor overpowered him so that he could no longer distinguish the figures, but lost his queen and was on the point of being checkmated in a few moves., " Listen,Sefer," said Maruf, when lie saw that he was sure of winning, " you are in a bad fix." " You are right; I'm as sleepy as the sea in a calm." " You'll lose the game," " I see it." " Well then, in Allah's name, lie down ; I'll keep watch in your place." Sefer pressed his comrade's hand for his self-sacrifice and thought he said something to him, but he only spoke in his dreams, for he fell asleep at once. Maruf, however, kept his eyes open, and, leaning on his gun, watched for his slumbering companions. But the diabolical liquor began to whisper again : " Why don't you sit down 1 You are a fool to weary your feet when you can see just as well sitting down !" But as soon as he sat down Satan began again : " AVhy do you strain both eyes ? If you shut one you can see just as much with the other." Then he gently closed the second eye, too, but Maruf consoled himself with the thought that although his eyes were closed he could hear perfectly well, and should instantly catch the sound of any approaching peril. So, with the firm resolution not to sleep, he slumbered as soundly as the rest. The Greeks now left their ambush, unfastened the horses which were fastened to the cart, and would certainly have killed the Turks had not Maruf's horse, perceiving danger, neighed loudly. The first to start up was Maruf ; the others instantly followed. Seizing their guns, they were sobered at once ; sleep and intoxication had vanished. They rushed upon the foe. But what did it avail? The latter were mounted upon horses, and only laughed at the pursuing Turks. Maruf's animal alone would not obey the Greek who had mounted ; it began to rear and plunge, dashed to and fro as if possessed, until it had thrown him oIF, when it gave the dismounted rider a kick and galloped back to its master. So the eight men had only one horse, What would Mehemed say '? The Bedouins grieved for their young lives, on which their General would have no mercy, but even more for the beautiful horses which the Greeks had stolen. What is the use of a man without a horse 1

They returned to their regiment, sorrowful and despairing, and told Ahinauzade truthfully all that had happened. Ahmauzado usually shoved no anger when he uttered his judgments. One could read neither life nor death from his calm face.

" Since only one horse was left for eight men, you c;ui see that seven of you are superfluous. Neither in the Koian nor in the Azorath nave I read that eight men can ride one horse. So, since you are all famous chess players, sit down here and let the game decide which of you shall be the one to mount the only horse. The others will be delivered to the death angel."

With these words Ahinauzade

ordered four chessboards to be brought—Turks always carry them on all their journeys—and after the men were put in order tho eight Bedouins were obliged to sit down before them.

Twelve good marksmen with loaded guns stood ready to shoot the losers at once. The first tournament had ended ; four had fallen, four remained victors.

These were now opposed to one another. Hopes and fears again contended for mastery. The tension of the intellect battling for life was terrible. A false move, a chance overlooked, and the loser shrieked aloud; it was his death warrant. Two were again defeated, led away and shot.

But two remained—Maruf and Sefer. These were the very men who bad bad the game by the watchfhe the two best chess players. One of them was now playing for the last time.

Both began with strained attention ; with brows propped on their hands they made their moves carefully, deliberately, with neither delay nor undue haste. For a long time neither gained any advantage ; everything won cost a corresponding sacrifice. The spectators sometimes noJded approvingly when an unusually skilful move was executed.

The chess board gradually emptied, the principal pieces fell; a few more moves and Sefer lost his second castle. Maruf now had a decided advantage—he possessed one castle more than his opponent. This meant a great deal. Everyone was sure that he would win the game.

Suddenly drops of perspiration appeared on Maruf's forehead, a deadly terror seized him, and he began to tremble violently. He had perceived for the first time that, notwithstanding his loss, his antagonist possessed a move which would give him the game if he discovered it.

If Sefer sacrificed his queen for Maruf's castle he could checkmate at once with the bishop.

Would he notice the move 1 The question meant life or death. Sefer gazed at the chess board a long time. The expression of his eyes betrayed that he saw the move plainly. But instead of touching the pieces he seemed to be pondering over something.

" Maruf," he said suddenly, " how many children have you 1"

" Four," replied the other, with quivering lips. " Your wife is soon to give you a fifth V " Yes." " You have a good wife 1" " She is dear and faithful," answered Maruf, sighing. Sefer passed his hand over his face and began to mutter something as if he were repeating a prayer.

Then he called for a basin of water, washed his face, his eyes, his light and his left hand, and then bowed toward the right and the left. The two guardian angels at such times stand invisible beside the one who is praying. " You spared me from losing the game last night so that I could sleep," Sefer began again. Maruf only nodded. " You were always a good comrade, Maruf,"

The other's head drooped des pairitigly.

Sefer stretched his hand towards the pieces and moved—not the queen, but the bishop. " Checkmate !" was suddenly shouted. Everyone who stood near hastened to proclaim it. Maruf had at last won ; Sefer had lost. Sefer rose quietly, pressed the hand of his companion, who did not stir from his seat, and motioned to the marksmen behind him that he was ready. Two seconds later a volley of musketry announced that the game was over. Sefer had been shot, too.

Maruf still sat before the board, gazing fixedly into vacancy, pushing the pieces to and fro with trembling hands, but like a person who had never seen them arranged in order. Pawns were mingled with the larger pieces, black men and white were jumbled together.

" Rise ! " cried Ahmauzade. "Mount your horse; your life is spared."

But the man still sat staring into vacancy. Besides, he began to make all sorts of meaningless figures by pushing the pieces to and fro, watching them with a foolish laugh. " How queer ! One has a turban, another a horse's head !"

" Lift him up !" Mehemed commanded.

Two soldiers raised him, but Maruf stared about him, smiling vacantly. Heaven, earth and human beings had become things unknown to him ; he gazed around without intelligence, and his words were no longer like the utterances of other men.

He had gone mad, and had played his last game of chess,