New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-03-20
PRINCES OF THE SWORD FIGHT A MEMORABLE DUEL
VTVID DESCRIPTION OF MEETING or TWO PARISIAN
FENCING MASTERS RESULT 4 DRAW.

I fencing gloves and strips Of leather were wound
around the forearm from The wrist "a. the elbow.
They were naked 10 the waist. They wore Rus
sian caps. 20 protect their eyes from the sun.
san Malato was in excellent condition. mus
cular, why and alert. Pint was the stouter man
I Of the two, but his muscles are enormous and
he looked like gladiator. PM IS 7fty-two
years old. San Nal1to it. thi-ty-s0ur. Both are
OF the same height-f~e feet seven inches. u.
AdoIpha TavsrDiar. Editor Of LIE Figaro" and
author Of several treatises on fencing directed
/ the combat" and. advancing between the two
. Comh2 tart~. pronounced the usual word Of conf
nand, "AHez MessieUrs"' Both adversar1es
used basket hiIted swords TIE two men glaret
at each other like tigers. PM was determined
fierce and more cool headed than his rival. sar.
Ma'ato daveed about like Wild Indian. and
shouted and yelled like a mailman. u was an
parent from che outset that they were evenfv
matched. san Malato began the attack yyt-h
his long. straight sword extended at fun
/ arms length. and his thrusts were as a
rule very high P!ni crouched with his
body as near to the ground "a possible and
Kept his guard very low. seeking to get his
[ blade home beneath San IIaIato's long reaching
sword San Malato sought to fatigue his on
ponent, and made his attacks with The rapidfty
OF lightning. The swords flashed incessantIy.
and the peculiar ring Of steel resounded all over
the place. 1t vas a wonderful exhibition %
science. san MaIato showed his temper AMI
reared like Hon. and with each thrust shouted:
"Eh IA OH PM retorted with Kissing between
his clenched teeth: En- "a. Eh IA Pfnfs
thrusts were so low that several times when
San Malato parted them the points Of tho
swords buried in the turf This made
halts necessary, and a redistribution Of disin-
fectants on the soiled blades
At the sixth round it was thought that PM
had been wounded on the arm. and again at
the ninth. but these were mere scratches that
scarcely drew blood Thirteen rounds continued
without either opponent being really touched
In the fourteenth Pint received a scratch on thu
upper part OF the nose A few drops OF blood
trickled down. A piece Of sticking plaster was
adjusted. and the battle continued. Pint had
meanwhile been forced by san MaIato to tho
extreme limit OF his space OF fifteen PAGES. sud
denly with the spring OF a panther PM bounded
sideways and in three gigantic leaps accom-
plished a volt with such precision that he stood
! exactly IN the former position OF his adversary
Both had turned completely around. At This
moment Pints sword scratched the breast OF
San Malato. and IN parrying the point Of san
Malatos sword touched PM between the eyes
Neither party was wounded. but an enthusiasts
spectator. ChevaIier ScaIisi tried 70 interviews
and shouted You are both Of YOU brave
as lions. Stop fighting and embrace each
Otherr' Not bit OF IT," exclaimed Pint
I am going 70 fight II out 70 the DEATH Tho
duel went on for an hour longer. thus making
two and half hours altogether. Seconds and
spectators urged the ACCESSIBILITY OF a cessation
OF hosti1ities. At the eighteenth round San Ma
latO complained that blister had formed on the
palm OF his right hand. caused by the long and
strenuous eXertion Of the contest The surgeon
examined the blister and declared that Il placed
San MaIato an obvious disadvantage in re-
gard to his opponent.
An inpetuOus journalist ran 20 the telephone
70 inform his newspaper that the combat had
come 70 an end owing 10 exhaustion OF both ad-
versaries." PM. Overhearing the message.
burst into violent rage and exclaimed: NO. sir,
Don't speak for me. PM is never exhausted
Both the irascible fencing masters wished
continue the duel another day as soon as san
MalatO's blister could be cured. Common friends
interpOsed. San Malato advanced toward Pint
and remarked; Il might have written that you
were afraid OF my sword before this combat but
can certainly not say so after IT, PM laughed
good na .uredIy and the farocious antagonists
shook hands. They both jOyfCliy accepted Or.
Doyen's invitation to lunch together. Friends
and spectators crowded around them % offer
cOngratula tons for their marvellous prOwess.
Oceans OF champagne were drunk. and
''Finita n commedia.' or. ''Filita Ia tragedia,'
those who were present at THIS memorable
duel may prefer to qualify IT, c. l. 3.