The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1904-02-25
4 HISTORICAL DUEL.
THIRTEEN SWORDSMEN SLAIN Nv
ONE MAN BEFORE AN ARMY.

A Scene More Exciting Than Any
Battle In the Annals of MOder
History-Ten thousand Witnesses
to the Terrible work of One sword.
To give al idea of what a brave man
can do if he knows fencing thoroughly
and but keeps cool and collected in
danger we will relate a historical duel.
So extraordinary is this combat that il
would be held a romance had it not
been witnessed by a whole army. The
hero is Jean Louis, one of the great
masters of the beginning of last cen
fury. and the duel happened ir Madrid
in 1913. He was the nTaSter-at-a[ ms OF
the Thirty-sec0nd regiment of French
infantry. The First regiment, COIN
posed entirely of Italians. formed part
Of the same brigade.
Reginental esprit de corps and rival
ries of nationality caused constant
quarrels, when s,. ords were often
whipped out or bullets exchanged.
After q 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
a great blow and to r~e-establish disci-
pline. They decreed that the masters
alarms of the two regiments should
take up the quarrel and fight it out.
Imagine a whole army in battle array
on one of he large plains that sur
round Madrid. In the center Il large
ring is left open for the contestants.
This spot Is raised above the plain so
hat not one Of the spectators of this
tragic scene - gayly dressed officers.
soldiers in line, Spaniards. excited as
never a bull fight excited them-will
miss one phase Of The contest. 1t is
before 10000 men that the honor of al
army is about to be avenged in the
blood Of thirty brave men,
The drum is heard. Two men. naked
to the waist, step i'm the ring. The first
Is tall and strong. His black eyes roll
disdainfully upon the gaping crowd.
He is Giacomo{ Ferrari, the celebrated
Italian. The second, tall, also hand
some and with muscles like steel. stands
modestly awaiting the word of COM
mand. His name is Jean Louis. The
seconds take their places on either side
of their principals. A deathlike silence
ensues.
lon guard.
Tho two moctarS GROSS swords Cia-
como Ferrari lunges repeatedly at Jean
Louis, but in vain. His every thrust is
met by a parry. He makes up his mind
to bide his chance ard 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 Il terrible lunge at Jean
Louis, a Florentine trick. often sue
cessful. But with extraordinary rapid
ity Jean Louis has parted and risposts
quickly in the shoulder.
1T is nothing" cries Giacomo; "a
mere scratch" And they again fall OH
guard. Almost directly he is hit in the
breast. This time the sword of Jean
Louis. who is now attacking. penetrates
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 on the ground, he
calmly awaits the next man.
The best fencer of the First regiment
has just been carried away a corpse,
but the day is not yet over. Fourteen
ad~versaries are there, impatient to
measure swords with the conqueror,
burning to avenge the master they had
deemed invincible.
Jean Louis hardly had two minutes
rest. He is ready. \ new adversary
stands before him. A sinister click of
swords is heard, a lunge. a parry. a ris-