Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1893-03-03

To give an idea of what brave man
can do IL he knows fencing thoroughly
and but keeps cool and collected in
danger we will relate q historical duel.
So extraordinary Is this combat that Il
would be held n romance had II not
been witnessed by whole army. The
hero is lean Louis, Of whom we have
already spoken as one OF the great
masters at the beginning OF this century,
and the duel happened in Madrid in
1914. He was the master-at-arms OF
the thirty.second regiment of French
infantry; the first regiment composed
entirely of Italians, formed part Of the
same brigade.
Regimenial esprit de corps and rival
ries OF nationality-caused constant
quarres, when swords were often whip
ped out or bullets exchanged. After a
small battle had occurred IN the streets
OF Madrid, in which over 400 French and
Italian soldiers had taken part, the
officers OF the two regiments, in couu-
Gil OF war assembled, decided to give
such breaches OF order great blow,
and TO re.cstablsh discipline they de-
creed that the masters alarms of the
two regiments should take up the quar-
rel and light It out
Imagine n whole army in battle ARA;
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 none
Of the spectators of this tragic scene
galy dressed officers, soldiers in line,
Spaniartls, excited men--will miss one
phase of the contest. Ii Is before 10000
men that the honor Of an army is about
to be avenged in the blood OF thirteen
brave men.
The drum Is heard. Two men, naked
to the waist, step in the ring. The first
tall and strong; his black eyes roll dis.
dainiully upon the gaping crowd; he is
Giacomo Ferrari, the celebrated 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
the places on either side Of their phnci-
pals a deaih-like silence ensues.
ION guard"
The two masters cross swords. Gia-
como Ferrari lunges repeatedly at lean
Louis, but In vain, his every thrust IL
met by parry. lie makes up his mind
to bide his chance, and caresses and
leases his opponents blade. lean Louis,
calm and watchiIl, lends himself to the
play, when, quicker than lightning, the
Italian Jumps aside with loud yell and
makes terrible lunge at Jean Louis--a
| Floreniine trick, often successful. But,
with extraordinary rapidity, Jean LOUIS
has parted, and rispots quickly in the
shoulder.
at is nothing cries Giacomo, "a
mere scratch" aud they again fall on
guard. Almost directly he is hit in the
breast. This time the sword Of Jean
Louis, who is now attacking, penelrates
deeply. Giacomo's face becomes liyid,
| his sword drops from his hand, and he
falls heavily on the turf lie is dead.
Jean Louis is already in position. lie
wipes his reeking blade, then, with the
point OF his sword in the ground, he
calmly awaits the next man.
The best iencer OF the First regimen,
has Just been carried away a corpse; but
the day is not yet over. Fourteen ad.
versaries are there, impatient to measure
swords with the conquerer, burning To
avenge the master they had deemed in
| vlncible.