The San Francisco call., 1897-08-16

The Count of Turin was ready to cross
swords with Prince Henry in France, but
one express condition was that not liv-
ing soul besides the prime pals, seconds
and medical attendant should be present
at the scene of combat. The Count was
stranger fighting in foreign land in what
was regarded in many quarters as an in
ternational quarrel The affair had al
tracted immense attention, and anything
in the shape of a dem onstration might
lead to trouble. The Italian Prince even
went so far as to declare If any outsiders
were permitted 10 witness the fight his
seconds would at once stop it, and 1t
might be resumed in his own country.
With these views Prince Henry entirely
concurred. Hence extreme secrecy was
maintained all along. Some pains, more
over, were taken to put everybody COM
pletely off the scent, and by way of
additional precaution the representatives
of the two Princes had quietly selected
several spots. so if any intruder was de-
tected at one place the parties might re-
pair to another. For this reason the
place to which they would first proceed
was only chosen and the hour for meeting
fixed at the last possible moment Fur
thermore, in order to foil any one who
might be on the lookout in the neighbor-
hood of the hotel during the small hours
of the morning, Count Leon tieff removed
for the night to another house, and his
example was followed by M. Mourrichon.
Between and o'clock NM. Leontieff
and Mourrichon proce eded in landau to
the Bo;s des Marechaux, whittier Prince
Henry drove with his medical attend
ants, while the Count OF Turin went TO
the trysting place in company with his
seconds. On arrival 1t was at once per-
ceiveG to their great relief that they
were secure from prying eyes.
Both princes were attired in the garb
which appears to be de rigu ur on such oc-
casions. They wore frock coats and tall
hats. There was no picnic air about
them. On the contrary they looked stern
and serious and as if they meant business
Prince Henry is tall of stature, and al
though he is rather of slight build, the
strong, active and energetic life which he
has led has considerably d veloped his
muscles. He is an exp xpert fencer and on
Saturday spent some time in practice
The Count of Turin has also manly
figure, carries his uniform well and is un
beau cavalier.
No time was lost arranging prelimi-
naries. A glade had been selected,
bounded by lofty trees. 1t was conven-
lent spot in every respect for the purpose
to which it was to be adapted 1t was
exactly o'clock when the duel began.
Henry and Turin, throwing off their
walstcoats, took their positions, bare
headed, facing each other. 1t was thrill
ing moment for the seconds, who were to
witness an encounter between the scions
of the houses o! Orleans and Savoy
Each Of the com batants held--the French
Prince in his bare and the Italian in his
gloved hand-a rapier OF the pattern most
in vogue in his own country. but each, as
expressly stipulated, was the same length
as the other. The representatives of
Turin had shown decided preference for
the cavalry saber but the seconds of his
adversary had objected to this. and the
rapier had been finally chosen as being
the iairest arm.
The fight was directed by Count Leon
tieff and as soon as the word was oivan
the principals began with a will. There
were in all five encounters, and the vigor
with which the attack was carried on will
be easily understood when it is stated
that several times the duel had to be in.
terrupted, as the principals had come to
close quarters They, in fact, assailed
each other with an amount of fire and furv
seldom witnessed on such occasions.