The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-02-11
a FAMOUS HISTORICAL DUEL
Twelve Swordsmen slain by One Man In
the Presence of an ARMY.

Twelve Swordsmen Slain BY One Man In
the Presence of an Army.
To give an idea of what brave man
can do if he knows fencing thoroughly,
and but keeps cool and collected in
danger, We viii relate an historical
duel So extraordinary is this cou bat
that 1t would be held a romance, had it
not been witnessed by whole army.
The hero is Jean Louis, of whom we
have already spoken as one of the great
masters of the beginning of this cen
fury, AID the duel happened in Madrid
IN 1918. He was the naste--at-arms OF
the Thirty-second regiment of French
infantry; the first regiru 1T. comD1sed
entirely of Italians, fornci part Of the
same brigade.
Regimental esprit de corps and rival
ries OF nationality caused canStant quar-
rels, when swords were often whipped
out or bullets exchanged Aftera small
battle had occurred in the streets OF
Madrid in which over two hundred
French and Italian soldiers had t. ken
part, the officers of the two regiments.
IN council of war assem- bled, decided
to give such breaches OF order great
blow, and to re-eStablish discipline;
they decreed that the masters-at-arnas
OF the two regiments should take -
the quarrel and fight it out.
Imagine a whole army in battle-arrny
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
not one of the spectators of this tragic
scene-gayly dressed officers, soldiers
IN line, Spaniards, excited as never a
bull fight excited them-wilI 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, Giacomo Ferrari, the celebrated
Italian. The second, tall also hand
some, 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-like si-
lence 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
to bide his chance, and earesses and
leases his opponents blade. Jean
Louis calm and watchful lends him
self to the play, when, quicker than
lightning, the Italian jumps aside
with a loud yell and makes a ter
rible lunge at Jean Louisa Floren-
tine trick, often successful But
with extraordinary rapidity, Jean
Louis has parried, and risposts quickly
in the shoulder.
ut 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, penetrates
deeply. Giacomo's face becomes livid,
his sword drops from his hand, and he
falls heavily on the turf. He is dead.
Jean Louis is already in position. lie
wipes his rocking 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 a corpse;
bat the day is not yet over. Fourteen
adversaries are there, impatient 20
measure swords with the conqueror.
burning to aveuge the master they had
deemed invinciblc.
Jean Louis hardly had two minutes
rest He is ready. A new adversary
stands before him. A sinister click Of
swords is heard, a lunge, parry, riS-
post, and then a cry, a sigh, and all is
over A second body is before Jean
Louis
4 third adversary advances. They
want Jean Louis TO rest. Il am not
tired" he answers, with a smile.
The signal is given. The Italian is
as tall as the one who lies there
corpse covered by a military cloak. lie
has closely watched Jean Louis play
and thinks he has guessed the secret of
his victories He multipIes his feints
and tricks, then, all at once, bounding
on his prey, he gives his opponent IA
terrible thrust in the lower lane. Bat
Jean Louis sword has parted and is
now deep within his opponents breast
What need to relate any more? 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 combat.
and he shook hands with the two suT-
vivors. applauded by ten thousand men.
From that day fights ceased between
French and Italian soldiers
This wonderful and gigantic combat
might be held a fable were not all the
facts above stated still found in the
archives of the ministry Of war.-Lip-
pincotts.
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