The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-11-11
A FAMOUS DUEL
In Which One Frenchman Overcame Thir.
teen Italians.

In which One Frenchman Overcame Thir-
teen Italians.
Imagine a whole army in battle ar
ray on one of the large plains that sur
round Madrid. In the center large
ring is left open for the contestants.
The 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-fight excited them-will miss one
phase of the contest. 1t is before ten
thousand men that the honor of an
army is about to be avenged in the
blood of thirty brave men.
The 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; he is Giacomo Ferrari, the cele-
brated Italian. The second, tall. also
handsome, and with muscles like steel,
stands modestly awaiting the word of
command; his name is Jean Louis. The
seconds take their places on either side
of their principals. A death-ike silence
ensues.
''On guard!'
The two masters cross swords. Gia-
como Ferrari lunges repeatedly at Jean
Louis, but in vain; his every thrust is
met by parry. He makes up his mind
leases his opponents blade. Jean
Leuis, calm and watchful, lends him
self to the play, when, quicker than
lightning, the Italian jumps aside
with loud yell and makes a terrible
lunge at Jean Louisa Flerentine
trick often successful But, with ex-
traordinary rapidity, Jean Louis has
parried, and risposts quickly in the
shoulder.
SIT is nothing" cries Giacomo, ''a
mere scratch, and they again fall on
guard Almost directly he is hit on
the breast. This time the sword of
Jean Louis. who is now attacking,
penetrates deeply. Giacomo's face be-
comes livid, his sword drop from his
hand, and he falls heavily on the turf.
Ee is dead.
Jean Louis is already in position.
He wipes his reeking 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 corpse;
but the day is not vet over Fourteen
adversaries are there, impatient to
measure swords with the conqueror,
burning to avenge the master they had
deemed invincible
Jean Louis has hardly had two min
utes' rest. He is ready. A new adver-
sary stands before him. A sinister
click of swords is heard, lunge. a
parry, rispost, and then cry, a sigh.
and all is over. A second body is be-
fore Jean Louis.
A third adversary advances. They
want Jean Louis to rest. Il am not
tired" he answers, with smile.
The signal is given. The Italian is as
tall as the one who lies there corpse
covered by military cloak He has close
ly watched Jean Louis play, and thinks
he has guessed the secret of his victo-
res He multiplies his feints and tricks.
then, all at once. bounding like
tiger on his prey, he gives his oppo-
nent a terrible thrust in the lower line
But Jean Louis's sword has parried,
and is now deep within his opponents
breast.
What need to relate any moreP Ten
new adversaries followed him. and the
ten fell before Jean Louis amid the ex-
cited yells and roars of an army.
At the request of the Thirty-second
regiments colonel, who thought the
lesson sufficient, Jean Louis. after
much pressing. consented to stop the
com bat; and he shook hands with the
two survivors, app lauded by ten thou
sand men.
From that day fights ceased between
French and Italian soldiers.
This wonderful and gigantic combs
might be held fable were not all the
facts above stated still found in the
archives Of the ministry of war.-Lip-
pincotts