Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1892-06-30

The Story Of a Duel,

TO answer the challenge Of Jslcopo, |
the Swordsman -
This announcement, made in one
Of the principal streets Of Florence
on fine Summer morning In the
latter part Of the sixteenth century
was quite sufficient to gather an ex-
cited crowd around the speaker the
instant he uttered it !; for Jacopo
Belloni lpopnlarly known as Jacopo
the Swordsman," from his deadly
skill in fencingl was widely renown-
ed as the most formidable prize
fighter in all Italy, although fac
cording to the custom Of the times)
be fought not with his fist bnt with
his sword.
The redoubtable Jacopo had al-
ready killed three or four fencers
Of renown who had ventured to
encounter him, and then, finding
that people seemed to be getting
rather shy Of testing his prowess,
He had lasely issued formal chal-
lenee to all corners, and had offered
to lake . pretty large sum upon
the result.
This challenge, however, had al
ready been thrice repeated without
anyone appearing particularly anx-
ious to accept it 4; and therefore, it
was no great wonder that the an
nouncement quoted above should
have been received with looks and
ordinations of doubt, and even of
fiat disbelief.
cit is impossible Mas [Toml.
No man living would be 50 mad r.
s'It must be a jest-and a sorry
one, too"
Cor else Maso is lying. Confess
that thou art lying, according tos
thy custom, brother Maso, and we
viii forgive the 20
Laugh if ye viii my friends, !"
said Maso slightly affronted, ''but
lie not. 1t stands writ out in the
Market Placs, full fair to see, that
there is man ready to meet Jaco-
pc on the seventh morning from to-
day.
"Then there is one more fool in
town than l thought" grunted
stout armorer," and there viii be
one less sooa."
ssWho is the man ?" He must
be a stranger here, or he would
know BETTER
81 can not tell, said Alaso for
although his challenge is fairly writ !;
s-sis no name signed to t."
1t must needs be q jest, "
sen~lsturdy butcher, beside
July
Appri 'faith,'' cried Maso !;
osflath staked one thousand
undred pistples on the event. +"
p0aible as Maso's news APP
2fed, however, it was speedily
nd surely confirmed, Aand the IT,
dings of the expected combat Jew
abroad like wildfire, kinGiing uni
versal excitement. When the day
appointed for the fight came, not
only all Florence, but al the coun-
try round seemed to have gathered
to watch the sport, and in the ranks
Of the spectators were to be seen
young mobiles from ali the greatest
families in Northern Italy.
The stage upon which the two
champions were to meet was a large
platform Of smooth planking Chick
ly strewn with sawdust to keep their
feet from sftrsing) which being full
thirty feet In length by at least
twenty in breadth, gave ample space
for all their movements. AT either
end of the stage was a smaller plat
form on which stood a tent Of white
canvass, and upon these tents all
eyes were fixed in eager expectation,
for they hid from sight the heroes.
Presently one Of the tents was
seen to open, and forth stepped the
famous Jacopo Belloni himself,
bowling condescendingly in acknowl-
edgement of the laundering cheers
that greeted his appearance.
The renowned swordsman's tall,
active sinewy figure was a perfect
model of well-trained agility and
strength but his dark, lean, wolf
ish face, with It's hooked nose,
sIoping forehead, bristly, black
moustache, white teeth and fierce,
restless, gray eyes winch were turned
hungrily upon the opposite tent
were anpleasantly suggestive Of
some ferocious bsast Of prey.
And now the other tent opened
- - n---- a IL