The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-07-02
AGAINST ouEls WITH sAegas.
Discussion Apropos of the Recent Fats
Encounter In Italy.
From the Pail Mall Gazatte

Discussion Apropos of the Recent Fata
Encounter In Italy.
From the Pail Mall Gazette.
The saber duel has never been very
familiar on the records and of late
years its absence therefrom has been
even more conspicuous than it was.
The reason for this is. no doubt, that
the saber is not every duellist's weap-
on. and that when it happens to suit
o combstants the results. as the
Italian chamber has duly recognized
by permitting the trial of Deputy Ma
cola for poor Cavalotti's death. are apt
TO be OF a decidedly serious character.
The weapon has been seen oftenest IN
the field of honor. perhaps, during the
disturbed period in France which fol-
lowed the restoration, when there were
any number of Napoleon's unconverted
old officers prowiing about in military
buttoned frocks, eating their hearts out
ON half pay, and always spelling for a
fight. Balzac's Philippe Brideau was
such a one. That ex-colonels duel with
the local "bretteaur." Maxence Gilet,
will readily suggest itself as a typical
encounter of the kind. 1t was fought
with sabers, both men meaning bust
ness. The description of this combat
is in the masters best manner AMI
complete, besides, in every technical
detail. You can follow il with the
keenest appreciation from the
that the pair engage at the formidable
hanging guard" to its conclusion, not
many minutes later. when the colonel,
wounded in the face by Gilets charge.
replies by hat mastery 'moulinet,
or wrist stroke, which splits his adver-
sary's forehead and shears half his face
away. In this duel, il will be noticed.
the thrust does not seem TO have been
barred. as II sometimes Is. 1t was the
thrust-the point, anyhow-which killed
Cavallotti, and in a way. too. which
constitutes a record.
a thrust in the mouth. which Sits
the tongue and sewers the windpipe and
ends all in five minutes. Is not TO be
found in the books very readily. In
the Sirey-Duprepaire saper duel, fought
in November of 1886, the point again
proved fatal, Duprepaire being run
right through the liver. Seven years
later his slayer had the life thrust out
of him by Caumartin. In Brussels. In
these cases, evidently, the point had
not been ruled out.
In the Castenschiold -Rahden duel at
Copenhagen i'm July. 1890, thrusting
was forbidden. The saber seems 20
have been chosen because both parties
were cayalrymen. Castenschiold was a
lieutenant in the Danish dragons. The
Baron de Rahden had been in the Rus
sian service, The difference arose At
Busch's circus, when the baron's wife
was engaged as an equestrian perform
or. There was a keen contest or put
hrief duration. The baron was cut
across the forehead. The flow OF blood
half blinded him and the seconds In
tervened.
The Millot-Baruti duel, fought IN
BeIfort between two French subalterns
might have had more serious conse'
auences. Lieutenant Millot got a slash
across the arm, which severed all tins
great blood vessels. He was very near
ly lead before the bleeding could %
stopped. and 1t took two mortal hours
to stitch him UP.
In Hungary the saber duel has beer
by no means unpopular in its time
The last was fought only a few year
hack between two officers OF the Hon
we'd army, also of the cavalry arm. 1hs
point stroke was barred, but Lieuten'
ant LAYER, IL is stated, a his sword
arm nearly Topped OF.
IL is not difficult to understand why
the saber duel has not been popular
IL is less easy TO understand why l
should have been the weapon chosen
for the settlement Of the Cavalotti-Ma
cola difference. The meeting was most
Iy to please the gallery. nae
been "out" 33 times before and Macoli
Is. They had made their proofs, am
there seems to be little IL any i'll feel
ing. once on the ground, however, thel
would naturally warm up. And thel
the saber is apt not to pardon.