The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1893-02-11
4 FAMOUS DUEL.
Thirteen swordsmen Slain By Ono la
in tho 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 dan
ger. we will relate an historical duel. So
extraordinary is this combat that it would
be held romance, had it not been wit
messed by whole army. The hero il
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 1918. He was
the master at arms of the 32d Regiment
of French Infantry; the LIST Regiment
composed entirely of Italians. formed
part of the same brigade.
Regimeptsl esprit de corps and rivalries
of nationality caused constant quarrels,
when swords were often whipped out or
bullets exchanged. After small battle
had occurred in the streets of Madrid, in
which over two hundred French and Ital-
ian soldiers had taken part, the officers Of
the two regiments, in council of war as.
sembled, decided to give such breache.
of order great blow. and to reestabllsh
discipline; they decreed that the masters.
alarms of the two regiments should take
up the quarrel and fight it out.
Imagine whole army in battle-array
on one of the large plains that surround
Madrid. In the center large ring il
left open for the contestants. This spot
is raised above the plain so that not one
OF the spectators of this fresh scene
gayly dressed officers, soldiers in line
Spaniards, excited as never bull fght
excited them-will mics one phase of the
contest. 1t is before 10000 men that the
honor of an army is about to be avenged
in the blood of thirsty brave men.
The drum is heard. Two men, naked
to the waist, step in the ring. The frs,
is tall and strong; his black eyes roll dis
painfully upon the gaping crowd; he ii
Giacomo Ferrari, the celebrated Italian
The second, tall, also handsome and with
muscles like steel, stands modestly await.
ing the word of command; his name j.
Jean Louis. The seconds take theil
places on either side of their principals
A deathlike silence ensucs.
son guard!"
The two masters cross swords Giacomo
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 caresses and leases hi:
opponents blade. Jean Louis, calm and
watchful, lends himself to the play, when
quicker than lightning, the italian jumps
aside with loud yell and makes terrible
iunge at Jean Louisa Fl0rentlne trick,
often successful. But, with extraordinary
rapidity, Jean Louis has parried, and
risposts quickly in the shoulder.
s.lt 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. Cha.
como's face becomes livld, his sword
drops from his hand, and he falls heavily
ON the turf. He 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 in the LIST Regiment
has just been carried away corpse; but
the day is not yet over. Fourteen adver-
sarics are there, impatient to measure
swords with the conqueror, burning to
avenge the master they had deemed in
gincible.
Jean Louis hardly had two minutes
rest. He is ready. A new adversary
stands before him. A sinister click Of
swords is heard, a lupge, q parry, ris-
post, and then q cry, sigh, and all is
over. A second body is before Jean Louis
A third adversary advances. They want
Jean Louis to rest. ~ am not tired" be
answers, with smile.
The signal is given. The Italian is q
tall as the one who lies there a corpse
covered with military cloak. He has
closely watched Jean Louis play, and
thinks he has guessed the secret of his
victories. He multiplies his feints and
tricks, then, all at once, bounding like 9
tiger on bis prey, he gives his opponen,
terrible thrust in the lower line. But
Jean Louis sword has parried 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 ye!ls and roars Of an army.
At the request of the 32d Regiments
Colonel, who thought the lesson sufR.