Milford chronicle., 1893-02-17
AIt 0TTFT,
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FRIDAY. F

ling Than Any Battle
TuPn aaryoI Modern HistOry-Two
Armies as witnesses Of the Terri
BILE work Of one sword.
To give an idea Of what brave man
can do if he knows fencing thoroughly
and but keeps cool and collected in dan
ger. we win relate a historical duel. SO
extraordinary is this combat that It
would be held a romance had it not been
witnessed by whole army. The hero
Is Jean Louis. one Of the great masters
Of tho beginning Of this century, and
tho duel happened in Madrid in 1913.
He was tho mGster-at-arlns Of the Thir-
tv-second regiment Of French infantry.
The First regiment, composed entirely
Of Italians. formed part of the same bri-
gade.
Regimental esprit de corps and rival
ries Of nationality caused constant quar-
rels when swords were often whipped
out or bullets exchanged. After a small
battle had occurred in the streets of
Madrid in which over 200 French and
Italian soldiers had taken part, the Off
GERS Of the two regiments, in council
of war assembled, decided to give such
breaches Of order a great blow and tore
establish discipline. They decreed that
the master-at-arms Of the two regiments
should take up the quarrel and fight it
out.
Imagine a whole army in battle array
on one of the large plains that surround
Madrid. In the center a large ring Is
left open for the contestants. This spot
is raised above the plain so that not one
Of the spectators Of this tragic scene
gayly dressed officers, soldiers in line
Spaniards, excited as never a bull flghs
excited them-wil miss one phase Of the
contest. It is before 10000 men that the
honor Of an army is about to be avenged
in the blood Of 80 brave men.
Tho drum is heard. Two men, naked
to the waist, step in the ring. The first
is tall and strong. His black eyes roll
disdainfully upon the gaping crowd; ne
Is GiacOmo Ferrari, the celebrated Ital-
ian. The second, tall, also handsome,
and with muscles like steel, stands mod
estly awaiting the word of command;
his name is Jean Louis. The seconds
take their places on either side of their
principles. A deathhke silence ensues.
"On guardr
The two masters cross swords. Cha
como Ferrari lunges repeatedly at Jean
Louis, but in vain. His every thrust is
met by a parry. He makes up his mind
to bide his chance and caresses and
teases his opponents blade. Jean Louis,
calm and watchful, lends himself to the
play, when, quicker than lightning, the
italian jumps aside with loud yell and
makes a terrible lunge at Jean Louis-a
Florentine trick, often successful. Bat
with extraordinary rapidity Jean Louis
has parried and risposts quickly in the
shoulder.
1T is nothing" cries Giacomo, "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, peEetrates
deeply. Giacomo's face becomes livid, |
his sword drops from his hand, and he
falls heavily on tho turf. He is dead.
Jean Louis is already in position. He
wipes his roe5ing blade; then, with the
point Of his sword on the ground, he
calmly awaits the next man.
The best fencer Of the First regiment !
has just been carried away a corpse, but !
,he day is not yet over. Fourteen adver-
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