The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1897-09-01
PRINCE AND COUNT FIGA
Fierce Duel Near Paris Between the
Royal Youths.
HENRI OF ORLEANS WOUNDED.

The Combat Grew Out OF Statements
Made by the Prince Regarding the
Conduct of the italian Prisoners Cap
tured by King Menelek-Details Of
the Contest-Great Rejoicing in Rome.
PARIS, France (By Cable).-The duel be-
:ween Henri of Orleans and the Count OF
Turin, nephew of King Humbert, which grew
out of statements made by the Prince re-
garding the conduct ofthe Italian prisoners
who were captured by King Menelek dur
ing the recent disastrous campaign In
Abyssinia took place at o'clock Sunday
morning in the Bois des Marechaux, about
ten miles from Paris. The fight was des-
perate one. The Prince was severely
wounded, and was removed from the field
hors de combat. The Count was slightly
wounded. The place where the meeting
occurred Is favorlte duelling ground,
A majority of the Parisians treat 1t as
an international event of. the most tragic
importance. The victim is the hero Of the
hour, and bulletins from his bedside were
read with breathess interest on the boule-
wards. Nothing indeed, has thrown Paris
into such q fever Of excitement since
President Carnot was assassinated.
It was between 8 and o'clock q. m. that
Mn. Leontieff and Mourrichon, seconds OF
the Prince, proceeded in landau to the
Bois des Marechaux, whittier Prince Henri
drove with his medical attendants, while
the Count OF Turin went to the trysting
place in company with his seconds. Both
Princes were attired in the garb which ap-
pears to be de rigueur on such occasion.
They wore frock coats and tall hats.
The encounter after all that had occurred !
was bound to be no mere parade. Prince
Henri Is tall of stature, and, although be is
of rather slight build, he was strong and
active, the energetic life which he has led
having considerably developed his muscles.
He Is an expert'fencer. The Count OF Turin
has also q manly figure.
No time was lost in arranging the preiim-
tnaries of the combat. A glade had been
selected bounded by lofty trees. 1t was a.
convenient spot in every respect for the
purpose to which 1t was to be adapted. 1t
was exactly o'clock when the duel began.
Prince Henri and the Count OF Turin,
throwing off their waistcoats, took their
positions, bareheaded, facing each other.
It was O thrilling moment for the seconds
who were to witness the encounter between
the scions of the houses of Orleans and
Savoy.
Each of the combatants held, the French
Prince in his bare, the Italian in his gloyed
hand, rapier of the pattern most In vogue
in his own country, but each, as expressly
stipulated, Of the same length as the other.
The fight was directed by Count Leontieh,
snd as soon as the word was given the prin-
cipals began with will. There were In all
Ave encounters, and the vigor with which
the attack was carried on will be easily un-
derstood when it is said that several times
the duel had to be interrupted, as the prin-
cipals had come to close quarters. They
we're we'll matched. Both were in capital
condition, and both were expert swords
men. Each felt that he was fighting not
only for himself, but for his country's
honor.
Hardly had the rapiers been crossed,
when Prince Henri attacked his opponent
with the utmost energy, but in moment
it was the Count Of Turin who, assuming
the offensive, thrust with great skill, put
ting his adversary on his mettle.
Eventually the Count hit the Prince In the
right breast, which brought the first en-
papement to close. The doctors speedily
examined the injury, but were agreed In
pronouncing 1t 80 slight, the skin only nav
ing been cut, that the Prince was not Inn
peded In any degree from resuming the
combat.
The encounter which followed was car
ried on with even more vigor than the for
mer one. The third encounter was very
exciting. There was sharp struggle at
the close, in which the Count Of Turin was
slightly hurt in the right hand.
The fourth engagement was even more
vigorously conducted than its predeces-
sors. The Prince and Count thrust and
parried with lightning like rapldity, and
soon the point Of Prince Henri's rapier
struck button on his opponents clothing
and was turned, so that another weapon
had to be substituted. Had 1t not been
that the button was there to parry the
thrust, the Count Of Turin must inevitably
have been run through. =
The hottest OF all was the fifth and final
encounter. Scarcely had it been resumed
when Prince Henri received the wound
which put an end to the duel. A thrust
from his adversary's rapier caught him In
the right side of the abdomen, and Count
Leontieff, who had been directing the tght
with the utmost attention and impartlal1ty,
brought the encounter to an end.
The Princes injury was examined by the
doctor, who, without the Slightest hesita-
tfon, declared that it was too serious to ad-
NIT of O renewal of the fight. While his
wound was being dressed Prince Henri
raised himself, and addressing the Count
of Turin asked to shake hands with him.
The Count promptly responded, and they
pressed each others hands kindly, like
gallant foes who have learned to appre-
eiate each other. The Count soon after
ward returned with his seconds to Paris,
and later left for Italy.
Prince Henri, after having his wound
dressed, was able to walk to bis carriage,
and was driven to his fathers house.