The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1880-08-28

LIS WIZ WClO WoUNhAnS uhO
conflict with terrible eagerness and sus-
pense. But not for moment did he
show signs of weakness, or DISPOSE
ton to give up the combat. Two or
three times he signaled for rest that
his friends might wipe the blood that
had gathered in his eyes and blinded
his sight. A glass of water that was
held to his lips became as red as port
wine from the blood that flowed into il
from his face, but noticed that he drank
it all the same. His adversary, it was
evident, was at the end to be the cham
pion, although he had received some
bad cuts, one of which came near sever
ing his nose. He was the superior
swordsman, and had given five wounds
where he had received one. The man
opposite him, the bloody man, was to
be the "under dog in the fight" The
contest had lasted thirty minutes-it
seemed hours, and would have contin-
ued until one had been killed had not
the two surgeons interfered and ended
the fight. They examined carefully the
wounds of the "under dog" and found
them so serious that the fight was pro-
nounced at an end, and the two gladi-
ators, leaning and partly supported on
the arms of their brother students, were
led out into the hospital to have their
wounds dressed.
Thus ended the second duel, which
was fought by a member of the white
cap and one of the green-cap corps.
The third duel, which was next to take
place, was to be between a red-cap and
a green-cap. There are five separate
corps in the university, which are desig-
mated in the streets by the color of their
caps-the whites, reds, blues, greens
and yellows. Among the 800 or 900
students in Heidelberg only about sixty
belong to them. The white-caps are
the most numerous, and they number
about sixteen. The corps are very
aristocratic and very select. The mem
bers are supposed to belong to the no
bility and to the best German families,
with only the best blue blood flowing
through their veins. To become a
member it requires as much influence,
diplomacy and red tape as to belong to
the most select of the London clubs.
Whoever is admitted is under the neces-
sity of fighting duels that is, they are
not under the necessity, but, if they
don't fight, they are tabooed as cow
ards, and Heidelberg would become an
uncomfortable place of residence. If
they don't volunteer, the president of a
corps volunteers them, or rather APP
points them to meet adversaries, and
then there is no showing the white
feather; they must fight, and they do.
In the dueling hall all the members of
the different corps, with one or two ex-
ceptions, were present. They all APP
peared to be over twenty-five years of
age, and physically were splendid look
ing fellows. don't think there were
half a dozen among them whose faces
did not bear evidence of these bloody
conflicts. Their cheeks and foreheads
were SCARED and furrowed by deep welts
criss-crossing each other, and occasion
ally furrowing down through the mouth
and chin. l observed that the noses of
two or three had been grated on and
had badly healed. They were all seat
ed around the hall; those who were not
administering to the wounded in the
outer room were seated at their respect
i've tables, each corps by itself, drinking
wine and eating their lunches. Two or
three German girls were tending re-
freshment table at the end of the hall,
and appeared to take no more interest
in the duels than they would in chicken
fights. H .e
The waiting for the third duel was
long and tedious. The sword sharpener,
an old gray-headed man, came into the
hall two or three times bearing freshly
ground weapons which he placed in
convenient positions. Another man
came and scattered fresh saw-dust to
cover the blood where the last duelists
had stood, that those who were to follow
might not "stand on slippery places. J."
1t was like the little episode in the Span
ish bull-fghts when the arena has been
cleared of the dead bull and horses and
occasionally the dead bull-fghter, and
the attendants come in with rakes and
saw-dust to obliterate the traces of the
bloody conflict. Through the open door
of the hospital-room | could see the
surgeons and students washing the
bloody bodies and patching up the
wounds of the two who had Just fought,
while others were dressing and prepar-
ing the two who were next to measure
swords.
Ere long heard the noise of hurried
footsteps, and the two men came strid.
ing into the hall, each surrounded by
several friends and surgeon supporting
their sword arms. The first glance at
them, with their black goggles, mufiled
Threats, ETC., reminded me of profess
sional divers with their armor on ready
for service. There was no waiting or
hesitating; in moment the men were
placed in position, swords placed in
their hands, the signal given and the
bloody work began in earnest. | was
told that this was an I" affair of honor -
and that some affront or imagined in
suit was to be Cancelled or wiped out
with blood. 1t seemed an uneven match.
One was a tall, powerful athlete, while
his adversary was small and below the
ordinary stature. But, in sword duels,
the victory is more apt to 90 with the
smaller and more agile of the two.
There were several short and sharp en-.
counters, in which the contest was about
evenly balanced. Both were splendid
swordsmen, and their skillful strokes
and thrusts were watched by Their
friends with intense interest. Each re.
ceived three or four slight cuts, but il
was difficult to determine which drew
the first blood Savaral tinoas +ho;,