The Appeal. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. ;) 1889-19??, 1899-01-28
FOUGHT A DOZEN.
The Story of a Duel in Which One
Man Fnced Twelve.

The Story of a Duel in Which Onel
Man Faced Twelve.
Pearson's Weskly: So extraordinary is'
this combat that it would be held ro-i
nance had it not been witnessed by a.
whole army. The hero was Jean Loujs.
CHE Of the greatest masters Of swords
manship who ever lived, and the combat
happened in Madrid in 1918. He was the
master-at-arms of the Thirty-second reg1-
nient of French infantry-the First regt-
uent, composed entirely of Italians form
ing q part Of the same brigade. Regi-
mental es.ecit de corps and rivalries of
nationality caused constant quarrels,
when swords were often whipped out or
bullets exchanged.
After a small battle had occurred in
the streets of Madrid in which over two
hundred French and italian soldiers had
taken part, the officers of the two regi-
ments, in council of war assembled, de-
Iidedh to give such breaches Of order q
great blow and to re-establish discipline
they agreed that the masters alarms Of
tho two regiments should take up the
quarrel and fight it out.
The drum is heard: two men. naked
to tho waist, step into the ring. The
first is tall and strong; his black eyes
rove disdainfully upon the gaping crowd:
he is Giacomo Ferrari the celebrated
italian. The second. tall, also handsome.
and with muscles like steel, stands mod.
name is Jean Louis. The witnesses as.
sumo their places on either side of their
principles. A deathlike silence ensues.
ION guard!' The two masters cross
swords; Giacomo Ferrari lunges repeat
eddy at Jean Louis, but in vain; his every
thrust is met by a parry. He makes UP
his mind to bide his chance and caresses
and leases his opponents blade.
Jean Louis. calm and watchful. LENDS
himself to the play. when, quicker than
lightning, the italian Jumps aside with a
loud yell and makes a terrible lunge at
| cessful. But. with extraordinary rapid
ity, Jean Louis has parted, and risposts
quickly in the shoulder.
ut is nothing" cries Giacomc. "a mere
scratch" and they again fall on guard.
Almost directly he is hit in the breast.
is now attacking, penetrates deeply. Gfa-
comos 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
ly awaits the next man. He has hardly
had two minutes rest. He is ready. A
new adversary stands before him.
A sinister click Of the swords is heard,
a lunge, parry, a riapot and then a cry.
sigh and all is over. second body is
before Jean Louis. A third adversary
| advances. They wanted Jean Louis to
rest '''-
II am not tired" he answers, with
smile. The signal is given. The Italian
is as tall as the one who lies there g.
corpse. covered by a military cloak. He
| has closely watched Jean Louis play,
and thinks he has guessed the secret Of
his victories. He multiplies his feints
| and tricks, and then. all at once. bound
ing like tiger on his prey, he 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. Ten
new adversaries followed him, and the
ten fell before Jean Louis, amid the ex.
| cited wells and rOarS OF an army