Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1893-02-18
A FAMOUS DUEL.
Twelve Swordsmen Slain by One Man I'm
the Presence of an Army.

oughly, and but keeps cool and col |
lected in danger, we will relate an !
historic duel. So extraordinary is
this combat that il would be held !
romance, had il 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 century, and the
duel happened IN Madrid in 1913. He
was the maStcr-at-armS OF the
TwentY-second Regiment of French |
Infantry; the First Regiment COM
posed entirely of Italians, formed
part of the same brigade.
Regimental esprit de corps AMI
rivalrieS of nationality caused con-
slant QuarrelS, when swords were often
whipped out or bullets exchanged.
After a small battle had occurred in
the streets of Madrid, in which over
POO French and Italian soldiers had
taken part the officers OF the two
regiments, in a council Of war as
sembled, decided to give such breaches
of order a great blow, and TO re-
establish discipline; thew 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 lett open for the con
testants This spot is raised above
the plain so that not one of the spec
tators Of this tragic scene - gayly
dressed officers. soldiers in line, Span
iards, excited as never Il bull fight
excited thcm-will miss one phase Of
the contest 1t is before 40, 600 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 disdalnfully upon the gaping
crowd; he is Giacomo Ferrarl, the
celebrated Italian, The second, tall,
also handsome, and with muscles
like steel, stands modestly awaiting
the word Of commands; his name Is
Jean LOUIS. The seconds take their
places on either side Of their prnci-
pals, A death-like silence ensues.
con guard.
The two masters cross swords. Gia-
como Ferrari lunges repeatedly at
Jean Louis, but in vain; his heavy
thrust is met by parry. He makes
up his mind to abide his chance, and
caresses and leases his opponents
blade. Jean Louis calm and watch
full, lends himself to the play when,
quicker than lightning, the Italian
jumps aside with loud yell and
makes a terrible lunge at Jean L"us
IA Florentlne trick, often successful.
But, with extraordinary rapidity,
Jean Louis has parted, and risposts
quickly in the shoulder.
'It is nothing" cries Glacomo, ia
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,
enetrates deeply. Giacomo's face
becomes livid. his sword drops from
bis hand, and he falls heavily on the
turf He is dead
Jean Louis is already in position
He wipes his reeking blade, then will
the point of his sword in the ground
he calmly awaits the next man.
The best fenccr Of the First Regi
iYu :
corpse but the day is not yet over
Fourteen adversaries are there, i'm
patient to measure swords with TIN
conqucror, burning to avenge tn
master they had deemed inyinclble
Jean Louis hardly had two min
, utes' rest He is ready. A new ad
versary stands before him. A siniste
, click OF swords is heard, lunge,
parry, rispost, and then cry a sigh
, and az is over. A second body
before Jean LOuis.i
a third adversary advances. The
, want Jean Louis to rest. 81 am no
. tired, >" he answered, with a smile.
: The signal is given The Italia
J, is rs tall as the one who lies there
corpse covered by a military cloak
He has closely watched Jean Louis
play, ana thinks he has guessed Tn
secret Of his victories He multiple
/. his faints and tricks then, all a
= once, bounding like a tiger on hi
, prey, he gives his opponent o terribl
@ thrust in the lower line. but Jea
. / Louis sword has parried and is nov
o deep within his opponents breast
t What need to relate any more? TIE
G new adycrsarles follow him, and TN
r. ten fell before Jean Louis amid tn
e excited yelIs and roars of an army
u At the request Of the Thirty
n second Regiments Colonel VIII
,. thought the lesson sufficient, Jea
= Louis, after much pressing, consente
t to stop the combat; and he shoe
Hdnds with the two survivors, az
Z plauded by 10, 900 men.
g From that day fights ceased b.
r tween French and Italian soldiers,
$ This wonderful and gigantic con
IT bat might be held a fable were M
n all the facts above stated still fOun
!. I'm the achieves Of the Ministry &
War -LippneOtts.
y. \ Tale About banana Meal