The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-07-19
Il TERRIBLE sWORD sTKoKE.
Feats which are Performed by "a Man who
Knows His Weapon.

Knows HIS Weapon.
Fats Of workmanship, such as cut
ting through triangular bars OF lead OF
carcasses Of sheep, are performed with
special weapons. and IN this subject.
ana that Of sword blows generally, Mr..
Henderson, the well-known professor OF
craftsmanship, and for many years con-
nected with Angeles School OF Arms,
has related some interesting facts 10 a
writer for the Globe. Though no longer
quite so young as he was, he IS still ac-
tive and hearty, and must have been in
his prime a very powerful man. weigh
ing 100 pounds.
He has Inc his time at one stroke cut
through two sheep, one carcass inside
the other. and In a similar manner
through two and three-quarter inches OF
solid lead.
y specially made cuirass, much thought
Of at the time by the Duke OF Cam
bridge. when tested by the redoubtable
Henderson was cut clean through. Steel
plates. six 10 the inch, and ordinary
pokers have been severed at one blow
by the same strong arm Thse exploits
were all accomplished with a sword
made for him by the old firm Of Wilkln-
son. II is called "Excalibur.' and weighs
but four pounds. II is perfectly plain.
slightly curved has a hilt something like
a naval cutlass and is tempered TO per-
lection.
Mr.. Henderson was present at the bat
tie OF Chillianwalah in 1919, and can tes-
tify 10 some remarkable instances OF the
power OF a keen sword. Towards the
termination OF the fight as the British
troops were slowly retiring a sikh chal-
lenged by his gestures and defiant atti
tude an Irish soldier 10 leave the ranks
and engage In single combat.
One thrust from his bayonet went
right through the sikh who. though NOR
tally wounded instantaneously with his
razor-edged tulwar cleft his opponents
head in two as far down as the base OF
the neck, both falling dead at the same
instant. After this engagement a sikh
was found sitting on the ground appa-
rently unhurt, yet holding his hands up
TO his head. and when the surgeon babe
him lower his arms he fell dead on the
spot, with half his skull gone. the en-
tire upper part having been cut clean
through.
Elephants are completely disabled by
one blow from the Arabs two handed
sword, which almost sewers the huge hind
leg. biting keep into the bone. This feat
is varied only by slashing off the trunk
leaving it dangling only by a piece Of
skin. A Ghoorka has been seen by the
late Laurence Oliphant TO behead a buff
falo with a single blow Of his cookrie.
And Sir Samuel Baker a man powerful
enough 10 WELD during his African explo-
ration the Baby" elephant rife
weighing twenty-five pounds. once cut
a wild boar with his big hunting-knife
almost I'm halves as IL was making a
final rush, catching II just behind the
shoulder. where the hide and bristles
are at least a span thick.
Sir Walter Scott relates how the Earl
OF Angus with his huge. sweeping brand
challenged an opponent to fight and at a
blow chopped asunder his thigh bone.
killing him on the spot. There IS story
current in Australia that a Lieutenant
Anderson, In 1852. during an encounter
with bushrangers. cut clean through the
gun barrel OF his adversary with his
sword.
And at Kassassin II Is related that one
of Arab Pasha's soldiers was severed
In two during the midnight charge. But
in the opinion OF experts this IS very i'm
probable. even had the new regulation
sabre been then In use.-London Globe.