The Sun.
London, England, 1868-02-13 00:00:00

A STRANGE STORY.

A short time ago a human skeleton was found at
Broughty Ferry Castle while making a drain. The skele-
ton appeared to be that of a strong, full-grown man, and
was found about two-and-a
-half feet from the surface of
the ground. The skull bore a mark as if a wound had
been inflicted with a rapier. Great numbers of persons
visited the spot, and considerable curiosity was manifested
as to how any skeleton could have been found there. A
person residing in Dundee supposes the skeleton,to be
that of a French officer who was killed in an encoun-
ter with a British cavalryman at Broughty Castle, and
furnishes the following particulars as his reason for think-
ing so :—About forty-five yeais ago there resided at Cupar
an old man who earned his livelihood by teaching young
men sword exercise. In his young days he belonged to a
cavalry regiment, and had the reputation of being a first-
class swordsman. His regiment was stationed at Cupar
during the imprisonment of some French soldiers,
hut, notwithstanding the .utmost cordiality exhibited
between the French and British officers, while the
latter were dining together one day a conversation
arose on sword exercise, • and, one of the French
of cers set himself forth as a match for any. The
feeling of rivalry naturally existing between the officers
of tl:e two nations was excited to a high pitch, and the
conve-sation ended by the commanding officer of the
British regiment engaging that he would even find a man
in the ranks who would beat him. The day for the com-
bat was fixed, and the betting was heavy on both sides.
The young man before-mentioned was the man chosen to
test the ability of the French officer. The combat resulted
in the ignominious defeat of the latter, and in the British
officers pocketing a large sum. The French officer left the
ground indignant and ashamed at being defeated by a com-
mon private, and before his comrades and the British
officers. To retrieve his lost honour, he challenged the
cavalryman to a second encounter, which the latter
accepted, and again proved victorious, disarming his oppo-
nent; and carrying off his sword as a trophy. Shortly
after this the French officers entertainei the gallant
young swordsman to dinner, and offered to reward him
with £2.03 he would teach them the " cuts" and
" guards '' which he used. This offer was refused by the
young man's replying that he would not, and, but for the
antagonistic relation of the two nations, he would have
taught them for as many shillings. The French officers,
determined if possible to " turn the tables," sent another
challenge to him a few days afterwards; but on this occasion
he was to be opposed by another French officer, a powerful
man, reckoned to be one of the best swordsmen in the
army. A spot at Broughty Castle was fixed upon as the
meeting place, and both men appeared punctually on the
ground. The contest lasted for an hour, and the greatest
excitement prevailed among those who were spectators.
The French officer became enraged at being unable to take
advantage of his opponent, and the latter, suspecting that
his antagonist would kill him the first opportunity, dealt
him a fatal blow, and he fell to the ground lifeless. He
was buried at the spot by his comrades,- and the skeleton
lately found is thought to be his, from the supposed rapier
mark on the skull.