Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1899-10-18
A FAMOUS CONFLICT.
The GREATEST DUEL WITH SWORDS
THAT HISTORY RECORDS.

killed by the Blade OF Jean Louis
So extraordinary is this combat that
ii would be held 4 romance had ii not
been witnessed 10y whole army. The
hero was Jean Louis. one of the great
est masters of workmanship who ev-
er lived. and the combat happened in
Madrid i'm 1913. He was the master at
arms Of the Thirty-second regiment of
French nfautry-the First regiment,
composed entirely of Italians. forming
part of the same brigade Regimental
esprit de corps and rivalries Of nation
ality caused constant Quarrels. when
swords were often whipped out or bull
lets exchanged.
After n small battle had occurred in
the streets of Madrid. i'm which over
200 French and Italian soldiers had
taken part. the officers Of the two regi-
ments. in a council Of war assembled.
decided to give such breaches Of order
n great blow. and to re-eStablish disci-
pline they agreed that the masters At
arms of the two regiments should take
up the quarrel and fight it out.
The details Of the battle were simple
and quickly arranged. The duel was
10 take place in the open and in the
presence of the whole army. The crack
swOrdsmen Of the two regiments were
selected. and each group arranged the
order in which their men were 10 face
their opponents. The next day was the
time set for the bloody ordeal
Shortly after daybreak. rs the sun
rose. the army assemblies. Then mo-
ment of expectancy.
The drum is heard. Two men naked
to the waist step into the ring. The
first Is tall and strong. His black eyes
rove disdainfully upon the gaping
crowd. Tie Is Giacomo Fcrrari. the
celebrated Italian. The second. tall.
also handsome and with muscles like
steel. stands modestly awaiting the
word Of command. Ills name is Jean
Louis. The witnesses assume their
places on either side Of their prlnci-
pals. 4 deathlil1e silence eusueS.
ION guard The two masters cross
swords. Giacomo Ferrari lungcs re-
peatedly at Jean Louis. but i'm vain.
His every thrust is met by n parry.
He makes up his mind TO hide his
chance and careSSeS and leases his OBJ
ponentS blade.
Jean Louis. calm and watchful. lends
himself To the play. when. quicker than
lightning. the Italian jumps aside with
loud yell and makes a terrible lunge
at Jean Louisa Florentine trick. often
| successful. But. with extraordinary
rapidity, Jean Louis has parted. and
riSpOSts quickly in the shoulder
1T is nothing" cried 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. pene-
trateS deeply. Giacomo's face becomes
livid. 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. He has
hardly had two minutes rest. He is
ready. \ new adversary stands before
him.
y sinister click of swords is heard. n
lunge. parry, a rispost. and then n
cry sigh. and all is over 4 second
body Is before Jean Louis \ third adj
| verSary advances. They wanted Jean
/ Louis 10 rest
Il am not tired he answers. with 4
smile The signal is given. The Italian
Is as tall as the one who lies there q
corpse, covered 10y n military cloak
He has closely watched Jean Louis
/ play, and thinks he has guessed the Sc
cret Of his victories. He multipIies his
feints and tricks, and then. all at once
bounding like a tiger on his prey. be
gives his opponent a terrible thrust in
the lower line. But Jean Louis sword
has parted, and is now deep within his
opponents breast.
What need TO relate any more. Ter
new adversaries followed him, and the
ten fell before Jean Louis, amid the
excited yells and roarS Of an army.
At the request of the Thirty-second
regiments colonel, who thought tn,
lesson sufficient, Jean Louis. after
much pressing, consented to stop the
combat, and he shook hands with the
two survivors, applauded by 10000
men.