The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-03-24

alone ] was disappointed not to see the
grace Of movements one expects in fenc-
ing. But this is not fencing. The duel
must not last longer than fifteen minutes,
but all time is taken out as we do in
foot ball. so that they may last over TWEEN
ty minutes A round consists of only three
strokes, when the seconds call out and
knock up the swords with their own. Al
ter two or three rounds. or az the request
Of a second, the referee win come and ex-
anime each man for wounds and keep
tally on card he has for the purpose,
which Is afterwards given to the victor.
During these intervals the fighting arm
is lowered ana supported, while the sword
Is wiped off and Strengthened and the men
get a short rest. The surgeon is also in
evidence examining the extent OF the in
juries. The blood flows very freely, and it
is not long before each man is drenched
with crimson. More than once / saw
small tuft Of hair fly Off the head Of one
Of the men.
There was some fascination in hearing
the clash of the steel and IN seeing the
swords knock and slash. The duel can
be stopped at any time IL in the opinion
Of the surgeon the wounds of one or both
OF the contestants are OF such a nature
as 10 render further fighting dangerous.
saw five duels that morning, and there
one Of the seconds received a long cash
across his cheek which is rather unusual
Two of the other three were fought to the
limit AT the end Of the dues the men
bowed and shook hands, and were led
back into the ante-roOm. The duel of
our host was the fifth and although there
were to have been seven. l left after
seeing him, to my great disappointment
receive a severe defeat.
The services of my medical friend had
been requested by those of the previous
duelsts so / had several opportunities 10
assist with the practical surgical work
Needless 10 say. the surgical work was
well done, and / was surprised at the care
and antiseptsis employed This insures
nearly always a primary union of the
wounds The greatest number of cuts were
on the scalp and forehead and they heal
very rapidly These wounds leave scars
which disfgure the face for life, but thew
are source of great pride. Strange as
it may appear, the G erman girls show a
decided preference for a multi-scarred
face 50 that perhaps it is a chivalrous
instinct which tends TO popularize the
duel
''One cannot help admiring the nerve"
of these men, who stand without finch
ing while receiving severe punishment
and with blood streaming from numerous
wounds they fight on in the same man.
ner, and did not see a man lose his tenn
per, or, If he did, show II in his manner
Of fighting. After the duel when they
are in the surgeons hands and away from
the intoxication of the fight with its ex-
element and spectators, they exhibit the
same fortitude. Not one man showed any
indication of pain when we took the
stitches in his face and sewed up his
cuts
The university has a law prohibiting
dueis but Il seems to be very dead, as no
effort is made TO check or to repreess them
although the plasters and bandages which
so often adorn the faces of the students
must bring to the attention of the faculty
the frequently of this forbidden sport.