Savannah morning news., 1885-09-22
NOVEL pUEL on ZOE ,EpAok.
DuDcan c. Ross and a Trenohman Enters
the Lists.
Frou The San Francisco Alta.
1 l..

athlete and champion swordsman o
America, and Capt. Leo Castor, Of tn,
French army, took place according % pro
gramme in the smphitheatre in Wood
wards gardens yesterday afternoon. Sc
prominently had this event been Kept be
fore the people that long before the houl
for the buglers % souud the charge, 3.3,
p. m, the gardens were filled by an i'm
mense throng, which, continuing TO in-
crease, soon packed all the seats, the
elevated platfocm running in front
of the cages OF wild animals, the
stairway leading thereto, and also that
leading to the camera Obscura, While the
small hOy who came early was numer-
ously represented upon The framework OF
The swings, tree limbs, fences, ana all
other uuOccupied points or vantage
from which thev could overlook the crowd
OF spectators who cOnQre gated about the
lists i'm dense array. For the purpose OF
the tournament "A space bad been rOped IN
Ia the centre Of the amphltheatre, at
either end Of which were planted the col
Ors of America aud France. The ground
witnn the lists thus reserved had received
covering Of tan bark, 70 afford good
foothold to the charging horses, and also
TO guard against any accidents in case
either or the horsemen should be thrown
during the encounter. The men were both
on the ground in good season, and Ross,
who had been forced to take a strange
horse At the last moment, owing to the
lameness Of one OF those he had intended
riding. put in part Of the time in prac-
tisng with his steed, in order to become
familiar with him.
Upon the arrival Of the appoined hour
the crowd was pushed mack from the front
Of the lists next the stable. the ropes were
thrown down. and the calValcade, com
posed of the two duelists their respective
seconds. and the umpire, rode IN. The
seconds for Ross were j. B. Barbour and
j. q. Seymour and for CASTOR Y. Mey-
rens and =. Gelberi, while Sergt. owen
Davis, Of the Second United States Cav
airy regiment, acted as umpire. Each
had a trumpeter in uniform, NJ. B. Leh-
mann acting in that capacity for Castor,
and NJ p. Lynch, Of the Second United
States Calvary, for Ross, and Castor was
also attended by an interpreter. The
duelists, who wore steel cOrslets and
heavy iron wire masks, took up their po-
sltiOns at the opposite ends OF the lists,
While the umpire and seconds drew up in
line on one side, the trumpeters standing
opposite them. All being in readiness,
Sergt. Davis gave the command, and each
bugler sounded the charge in succession.
Castor spurred forward, but Ross re-
manned at his post, having fer some rea-
son misunderstood the signal.
The umpire and seconds rode up, and
after m0mentary explanation, a second
charge was ordered. Both then spurred
forward. and after an interchange Of cuts
and parties, Ross rapier reached the
Frenchman's breastplate. The trumpets
blew for a cessation Of hOstilities. The
point was declared in favor OF Ross, and
each returned to his own cOlOrs. Again
they charged, and again Ross made
point, scoring this time on G8stOn's back,
pnd on the succeeding charge made his
third point, this time delivering blow
on Gaston's breast.
ON the fourth bout CASTOR scored the
first point in the contest by getting in a
neat cut on Ross's chest CASTOR now
began to force the lighting, and came for
ward with an apparently determined air
of winning the battle when the bugles
rang out the signal for the fifth charge,
but Ross, after parrying his attack,
wheeled his horse suddenly and gave mis-
opponent two blows, fore and aft, and
secured bis fourth point. Castor, on the
sixth charge, continued the same tactics,
forcing the fighting, while Ross rode away
from him, keeping his horse moving in a
circle tor some time, and then, wheeling
and exchanging cuts, scored his fifth
point by blow on the Frenchman's
che,t
On the call for the seventh bout the
Frenchman dashed forward with his
horse on a run, and charged into Ross
corner, Ross having for some reason re-
malned at his post. After moments
fighting, Ross worked his way into the
centre OF the lists, but the Frenchman
got blow on his shoulder and scored his
second point in very neat style. The
French element, which was very largely
represented cheered their cOmpatriot
loudly as he returned to his cOlors. The
succeeding round was very well contested,
and considerable hacking Of steel was
0done before point was made; but this
time Ross was the winner by a cut on
Gastoh's back, scoring his sixth point.
AT the ninth charge both men spurred
forward, and, meeting in the centre of the
lists, exchanged cuts, when Ross again
won by blow on GastOn's breastplate.
An lntermsson was now ordered, to
allow OF change in the horses. SO far
the contest had been in favor OF Ross,
who had the advantage IN his superior
strength, which enabled him to beat
down his opponents guard and he was
also mounted on better horse, and
seemed TO enjoy a greater freedom OF
movement in the saddle, while In point OF
swordsmanship CASTOR showed TO q rath-
er better advantage. AT the end OF ten
die. Ross mounted on a large bay horse,
almost the counterpart OF the one he was
on before, while CASTOR had exchanged
the small white mustang on which be
first appeared tor a tall black, which APP
peared badly frightened by the crowd and
behaved in very ugly manner for some
time. When the bugle sounded the black
refused to charge, eyincing disposition
rather TO back through the ropes, while
Ross horse came forward IN good style.
CASTOR met his opponents advance. but
he was handicapped by his fractiOus
horse, and Ross scored his eighth point
by cut on GastOn's back
On tbs next bout CASTOR had more
trouble with his horse, but got him under
better control, and got In a cut across
Ross shoulder and chest, scoring a
third point. GastCn's horse came for
ward In better style on the eleventh
charge, and his rder was again Success.
ful, after some rather lively fencing,
scoring bis fourth point. The contest
was now growing exciting, and the sym.
pathizers Of the contestants made the air
ring with their shouts as one or the other
gained a point. On the succeeding bout
GastOn's horse WAS again ugly, and Ross
got in bis ninth point by cut across
GastOn's back, and on the next charge
scored again by cut on Gaston's side
On the fifteenth charge the men met and
exchanged blows In the middle OF The
course, and Ross won Immediately