Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-10-31

man OF mature years. who, after telllng
me that be had fought "a dues, explained
| the nature Of the proceedings ABOUT 10
/ take place, which be was to direct, as
sisted by certain umpires. ! was the only
J stranger present. On the ground were Two
small casks Of beer. third contain
| ing water, diminutiye camp table uPon
which were spread numerous bandages,
some lint plasters and sundry medlca-
ments. and a camp stool. The students
shook hands with each other in friendly
wav, smoked their pipes, and conversed
in an undortOne until "A muster roll was
called. to which "A replied.
The business Of the meeting then COM
meuced. The names of two students of
different universities being called, they
prepared tor combat by removing their
hats. coats. waistcOats, collars, and ties,
and protecting their necks, breasts, arms,
and thighs with stout pads, and their
eyes with stout metal spectacles, which
also cover the temples, their heads and
faces being otherwise wholly exposed.
Having shaken hands, the combatants set
to slashing at each other with all the skill
Of which they were masters, the seconds
promptly interfering at the smallest ex-
hibItiou Of temper or passion. The sur
geon in attendance had no easy berth.
blood gushing forth on both sides, three,
gave in.
The antagonists seemed fairly matched,
except in one encounter, when a lad OF
10 OF II years, novice, was pitted against
man of double hig age. The boys blood
flowed freely his face and head heinz
hacked until both were completely COW
cred with bandages, he meanwhile retus-
ing TO lower his sword until II at last fairly
dropped out of his hand. He was then led
fk on q rat D.
diately called for his pipe. THAT YOUTH"
whispered my friend, "will be IN a state
OF high fever tonight; he will have to
keep his bed for the next three or four
weeks, and he may even succumb TO the
effects Of his wounds" This CHANGED to
be the third encounter, and ] turned
away sick at heart and would have taken
my leave, but l was asked not to 90 until
the end.
Thus were fought twelve duels. I thur
ried away so soon as / obtained permits
sion, and my friend and ! returned to
town on foot, having kept the wood the
greater part Of the way. There was no
bantering or chatting during the proceed
lngs, which were conducted IN a most or
derby manner, beer being literally passed
TO those who asked for il. some OF whom,
1t struck me, must have been uncommon
ly thirsty.
One feature Is worth special mention.
Like most young men, many students
were accompanied by their dogs, and be-
fore any swords We're crossed these ami
mails we're firmly chained TO the smaller
trees around. Upon inquiTing the reas-
on, / was told that instances OF the nose
OF combatant being sliced off was
sufficiently frequent to necessi-
tate such a precaution, for
tn t member Of the face had some
times disappeared when dogs were loose,
and this to the permanent Disagreement
OF the wounded man; whereas, il the
nasal organ were instantly picked up, it
was restored to its place by the surgeon.
The swords used were of the length of an
ordinary foil, the blades being narrow,
flexible, and keen edged.
Now, the strangest part Of the story is
this, that these sickening fights were not
the consequences OF any bona fide insult
offered by one university TO the other.
When students were dull and diversion
was needed, student would 90 up to
student OF some other university and call
him Schafskopf, or say "Na, Du bist Elm
hummer Jungep This was at once re-
sented by the mettle and skill of each
university being put to a test by recourse
to the banefui encounters have
described. The same night |
attended at hneipe or beer
house, where some fifty or sixty youths
sat at long table, with huge SchODfen in
front Of them filed with beer. la the
chair was the senior student, but none of
those who had been engagedlwere present.
sat from to IL listening to some very
pretty and inspiriting songs, sung in cho-
rus, the rapidity with which the SchOpfep
were emptied and refilled being incon-
ceivable. j. BUCHAN TELLER,
Captain. Il. n.