San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1888-02-09
A MASTER OF FENCE.
A sWoRDsMAN KILLS THIRTEEN oP'
PoNENTS IN A SINGLE HOUR.

The Story Of an Extraordinary Combat
A RcgimentaI Quarrel Settled In the
Presence OF tho Whole Army OF French
and Italians.
To give m idea of what brave man
can do II he knows fencing thoroughly,
and but keeps cool and collected In dan
ger, we will relate an historical duel. 81
extraordinary is this combat that II would
be held n romance had IL not been wit
messed by whole army. The hero is Jean
Louis one of the greatest masters OF the
beginning of this century, and the duel
happened in Madrid in 1913. He was the
master mt arms of the Thirty-second regi-
ment of French infantry. The First reg
iment, composed entirely of Italians,
formed part of the same brigade.
Regimcntal esprit de corps and rivalries
of nationality caused constant quarreS,
when swords were often whipped out or
bullets exchanged. After small battle
had occurred in the streets OF Madrid, in
which over 200 French and Italian SOL
diers had taken part, the officers OF the
two regiments decided to give such
breaches of order great blow and to re-
establish discipline; they decreed that the
should take up the quarrel and fight it
out
AWAITING THE WORD.
Imagine whole army in battle array
on one of the large plains that surround
Madrid. In the center large ring is left
open for the contestants. This spot Is
raised above the plain, so that not one of
the spectators will miss one phase of the
contest.
The drum is heard; two men naked to
the waist step in the ring The first is
tall and strong; his black eyes rove dis
painfully upon the gaping crowd; he is
Giacomo Ferrnri, the celebrated Italian.
The second, tall, also handsome, and with
muscles like steel, stands modestly await
ing the word Of command; his name is
jean Louis. The witnesses assume their
places on either side Of their principals.
A deathlike silence cnsues.
''On guardm
The two masters cross swords: Gincomo
Ferrari lunges repeatedly Mt Jean Louis;
but in vain, his every thrust is met by
parry. He makes up his mind to bide his
chance, and caresses and leases his oppo-
nent's blade. Jean Louis, calm and
watchful, lends himself TO the play, when
quicker than lightning, the Italian jumps
aside with u loud yell, and makes terri
BILE lunge at Jean Louisa Florentine
trick, often successful. But, with extra
ordinary rapidity, Jean Louis has parried
and risposts quickly in the shoulder.
at is nothing" cries Gacomo, "a mere
scratch" and they again fall on guard;
almost directly he is hit in the breast
This time, the sword Of Jean Louis, who
Is now attacking, penetrates deeply. Gla-
como's face becomes livid, his sword drops
from his hand and he falls heavily on the
turf. He is dead.
THE NEXT MAN.
Jean Louis is already in position; he
wipes his rocking blade, then, with the
point of his sword in the ground he
calmly awaits the next man.
The best fencer of the First regiment
has Just been carried away n corpse; but
the day is not yet over. Fourteen adver-
saries are there, impatient to measure
swords with the conqueror burning to
avenge the master they had deemed in
vincible
Jean Louis has hardly had two minutes
rest. He is ready. A new adversary
stands before him. A sinister click of
swords is heard a lunge, q parry, ris-
post, and then Il cry, y sigh, and all is
over. A second body is before Jean Louis.
A third adversary advances. They
wanted Jean Louis TO rest. 81 am not
tired" he answered&ith a smile.
The signal is given. The Italian has
closely watched Jean Louis play, and
thinks he has guessed the secret of his
victories. He multiplies his feints and
tricks then, all at once, bounding like n
tiger on his prey, he gives his opponent n
terrible thrust in the lower line. But
Jean Louis sword has PARTED and is
now deep within his opponents breast.
What need To relate any more; ten new
adversaries followed him, and the ten fell
before Jean Louis amid the excited yells
and roars of an army.
At the request of the Thirty second regi
Ilcnt's colonel, who thought the lesson
sufficient, Jean Louis, after much press
ing. consented TO stop the combat, and he
slook hands with the two survivors, np-
pluuded by 10000 men.
From that day iishts ceased between
French and Italian soldiers
This wonderful and gigantic combat
might Ice held fable were not all the
facts above stated still found in the ar
chiyes Of the ministry of war.-Outing.
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