The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1884-06-25

won for him reputation that extended
to the furtherest parts of the peninsula.
1t is with this redoubtable adversary that
.lean-Louis will have to measure himself
Since the famous combat of the Thirty,
do not hesitate to affirm that military
history never offered the spectacle of a
more terrible encounter than that of those
soldiers, all skilled in the exercise of
their art, all habituated to look death
in the face without winl6ing-all re-
solved to sustain the honor of their regi-
ments to tho last gasp.
Imagine whole army all drawn up in
battle array upon one of those plains
without the walls of Madrid In the
center of this solemn marshalling Of
soldiers under the dark blue sky of Nueve
Castillo, large empty space has been re-
served. For this space choice has been
made of slight elevation of the ground,
forming sort of natural platform which
dominates the scene-so that when, in q
little while, the selected combatants shall
take their places naked to the waist, with
drawn swords, there will not be a single
spectator of the tragedy among all these
impulsive soldiers drawn up in linc-of
all the Madrid populace that pant with
excitement as at the outset of bull-fght
who will lose single detail of the
combat which is going to take place.
1t is in the presence of ten thousand wit
nesses that the honor of the army is to be
washed in the blood of those thirty brave
men.
There is roll of drums. Sonorous
and brief words of command are given.
simultaneously the butts of all those
muskets descend upon the firm soil, making
it quiver as with vibration of thunder.
The men suddenly appear upon the
empty space of the little mound; they
take their places with quick and conf
dent step. One of these two men, tall
and strong, with black eyes and scornful
mouth, gazed around him at the fever
ishly curious crowd with an air of
naughty confdence--it is Giacomo Fer
rari The second, also tall very swarthy :;
with muscles that seem like bands of
dark steel, remained perfectly motion
less, waiting-it is Jean-Louis.
The seconds of both combatants take
their respective places.
A silence as of death has suddenly sue
cecded to the murmur Of curiosity which
had circulated like the moaning of the
wind before a storm. And in the midst
of that silence, suddenly bursts forth
these two words, heard by ten thousand
spectators: "En garde"
The two fencing masters cross swords.
From the first instant Giacomo Ferrari
seeks to make deadly thrust at jean
Louis, but in vain-his sword per-
petually encounters the immovable blade
of his adversary. He retires step and
resigns himself to more patient manGu-
vres. He caresses, he leases the sword.
Calm and watchful, Jean-Louis lends
himself to all his advcrsary's .flourshes
Suddenly the Italian utters one of those
roars peculiar to swordsmen of his
race, and makes a sudden leap to one
side, followed by lightning upward
thrust. 1t is an old Florentine trick that
has often done him good service. But
almost at the same instant CRY of anger
rather than of pain, escapes the lips of
Giacomo Farrari with unparalleled
rapidity Jean-Louis has parried the
thrust, and his own blade, after tapping
about his adyersary's to present another
lunge, suddenly abandons its apparent
purpose, and delivers a swift riposte,
burylng itself in the Italians shoulder.
"lt is nothing" says Giacomo, recov-
ering himself with difficulty.
Again the swords cross; but almost
Immediately the Italian feels himself
struck in the breast. This time it is the
sword of Jean-Louis which attacks; and
it has entered deeply. A livid pallor
suddenly overspreads the face of Gia-
como; his sword slips from his grasp,
and he falls heavily to the ground.
They rush TO his side. lie is dead.
Jean-L Louis has already resumed his
first position. lie wipes his sword, and
holding the point downward. waits.
The first fencing master of the first
regiment has been carried off dead; but
nothing has been decided. Fourteen
more adversaries, fencing masters and
provosts, are standing at the foot of the
mound, impatient TO measure themselves
with the victor, and eager also to avenge
the death of that chief whom they had
believed invincible.
Jean-Louis has scarcely taken two min
utes rest. lie is again ready; new ad-
yersary leaps to meet him. their swords
cross. A sinister clash, n cry, gasp;
Jcan-Louis has delivered his thrust, and
RECEIVERS himself holding his sword point
downward. second corpse is l. ing
before him. The third adversary pre-
sents himself. The judges of the com
bat are actually compelled TO interfere in
order to prevent him from rushing reck-
lessly at Jean-Louis, who with an eye
aflame-now surer Of himself than before
and without thinking of rest, is equally
ready 10 meet him.
Il am not at all tired" he simply re-
marked.
The signal is given. The Italian is a
very tall man, like the f. st fencing mas
ter whose corpse lies beyond, with mill
tary cloak thrown over it, lie has at
tentively watched the sword-play of the
mulatto; he thinks that he has surprised
his secret. He multiplies leaps, feints,
surprises. Finally, crouching almost 10
the very ground, like tiger preparing