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


carried away senseless, in the midst OF a
clamor that sounded like vast clamor OF
terror
After this succession of victories with
out precedent in the history of the duel,
one might readily suppose the French
master was wearied out. In that un-
heard dof contest. which, timed by the
watcht had lasted scarcely forty minutes,
Jean-Louis had delivered twenty-seven
sword thrusts, of which three were in
staneously fatal. There were only two
of his adversaries left out of the fifteen
who had been at the outset so anxious to
measure themselves with him. Assur-
edly, those two men were not whit less
brave than those who had gone before
them, but however strong human wills
may be, how could their courage fail to
be shaken by the successive shock of so
many poignant emotions! Nevertheless
neither of them showed any signs of the
despair which must have invaded their
hearts. Pale, but resolute, they remained
erect, shuddering, but ready to advance
to their fate
A sort of momentary truce had re-
suited from that moment of terror for
one side, of proud enthusiasm for the
other. The colonel, an old soldier
bronzed by twenty-five years of cam
paigns, now deemed that the terrible but
necessary lesson had produced the effect
desired. 1t was now possible, without
the least blemish to military honor, to
check the reparation exacted at its thir-
teenth victim.
The colonel went up to Jean-Louis,
who, in his bronze immobility, seemed
like some antique statue of Fear.
Master, he said, ''you have valiant
ly sustained the honor of the regiment.
In the name of the whole Thirty third,
thank you! But thirteen successive
duels must have almost snapped your
muscles asunder. Withdraw now If
your fellow fencing masters choose to
finish the contest with the two remain
ing adversaries, they can do So"
Jean-Louis' anger exploded-as though
the colonel's words contained the intima-
ton of doubt-or as though he felt a
bitter pleasure in giving voice to the
overfulness of emotion which oppressed
him.
"No!" he shouted-"no! / will not
abandon the post assigned to me by the
confidence of the Thirty second regi-
ment; l will stay right here; and / will
fight just as long as can hold sword -
In uttering these words Jean-Louis
made an energetic gesture. In the over
eXerted condition of his nerves, he had
not noticed that the circle of spectators,
encouraged by the colonel's intervention,
was closing in about him. In gesturing
his sword described a swift half circle,
slightly wounding one of his comrades in
the leg.
Jean-Louis observed the accident be-
fore the wounded man had even time to
utter complaint; his feverish ardor
instantly left him. He sprang to his
friend; and tears were seen in the eyes
of the man who, without regret or weak
ness, had Just shed the blood of thirteen
adversaries.
"Ahl" he cried" only one man of
the Thirty second has been wounded to-
day, and that wound was given bv me I"
The colonel took advantage of the in
cident to terminate the encounter.
Jean-Louis," he said--''that is a
warning! Enough blood has been shed.
All have acted like brave men-will you
not take my word for it as judge of
military honorW
why, colonel2"
well, l declare that honor has been
fully satisfied; and that only one thing
remains for the Thirty-second to do
namely, to shake hands Loyalty with the
first"
An enthusiastic cheer arose. Only the
two remaining provosts of the First regi-
Ill
The colonel, pointing to them, said to
Jean:
"You know they cannot be the first to
come to you"
Jean. Louis felt himself conquered. He
threw down his sword, and advancing to
the two provosts, held out his hand to
them.
"Vive Jean Louis !-vive Thirty. sec
ond !" shouted ten thousand voices
"Vive lie First regimentm cried Jean
Louis--''we are all of one family. Vive
Parmeem
1t was the signal of reconciliation-a
reconciliation that was sincere and COM
plete. In a moment both friends and
adversaries had gathered about Jean
Louis, to compliment him, to dispute the
honor of pressing his hand. Much
affected. the fencing-maSter tore him
self away with difficulty, by reminding
them that it was his duty to look alter
the wounded. This mark of sympathy
won all hearts to him. From that
moment all ill-fealing between the two
regiments ceased; and the treaty of peace
was celebrated the same evening with
many bumpers of Xeres wine.
Thus ended this duel, or rather duel
brean, which realized in the nineteenth
century the legends of ancient chivalry.
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