The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1904-01-06
A HISTORICAL DUEL.
THIRTEEN SWORoSmsN SLAIN BY
ONE MAN BEFORE AN Army.

IhOubhhE " IL kbSts
to the Terrible Work of one sword.
To give an idea of what brave man
can do If he knows fencing thoroughly
and but keeps cool and collected in
danger we will relate historical duel.
So extraordinary is this combat tlat it
would be held romance hdd ii not
been witnessed by whole army. I lie
hero Is Jean Louis, one OF tie great
masters of the beginning OF hast cen
In 1873 He was the master-atarms of
the Thirty second regiment Of French
infantry. The First regiment com
posed entirely of Italians. formed part
of the same brigade.
Regimenta esprit de corps and rival
rles of nationality caused constant
quarrels, when swords were often
whipped out or bullets exchanged.
After small battle had occurred In
the streets OF Madrid, in which over
200 French and Italian soldiers had
taken part, the officers of the two resi-
ments In council Of war assembled.
decided to give ST, Il breaches of order
great blow and Ia te-establish disci-
pine They decreed at the masters
alarms of the two rsiments should
take up the quarrel ahd fight 1t out.
Imagine a whole arm. in battle array
ON one OF the large aims that sur
round Madrid. In the renter large
ring is left open for Tie contestants.
This spot Is raised above the plain so
that not one OF the spectators of this
tragic scene - gayly dressed officers,
soldiers in line, Spanlards. excited as
never bull fight excited them--will
miss one phase of the contest. 1t is
before 10000 men that the honor OF an
army IL about to be avenged III the
blood OF thirty brave men.
The drum is heard. Two men, naked
to the waist. step In 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. deathlike silence
ensaes
..On quart
The two masters e==ss ==ea}s Cha
como Ferrari lunges t,psU.. d.Y at Jean
Louis, but In vain. His every thrust is
met by n parry. He makes up his mind
to bide his chance and caresses and
teases his opponents blade. Jenn Louis.
calm and watchful lends himself to
the play, when. quicker thnn lightning,
the Italian jumps aside with loud
yell and makes II terrible lungc at Jean
Louis, Il Florentine trick. often sue
cessful But with extraordinary rapid
ity Jean Louis has parted and rlsposts
quickly In the shoulder
ut Is nothing, cries Giacono; "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, penetrates
deeply Gincomo'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, lie
calmly awaits the next man.
The best fencer of the First regiment
has Just been carried away II corpse,
but the day is not yet over. Fourteen
adversaries 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, n lunge, II parry, a ris-
post and then II cry. a sigh, and all is
over. A second body Is before Jean
Louis.
A third adversary advances. They
want Jean Louis 10 rest II am not
tired" he answers, with a smile.
The signal is given. The italian is us
tall as the one who lies there a corpse
covered by military cloak. He has
closely watched Jean Louis play and
thinks he has guessed the secret of his
NNAoAieS AIc muitlpilts Ills lSlillS anu
tricks: then. all at once, bounding like
tiger on his prey, he gives his opponent
n terrible thrust In the lower line. but
Jean Louis sword has parted and is
now deep within his opponents breast.
What need we TO relate any more?
Ten 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 the les
son sufficient, Jean Louis after much
pressing consented TO stop the combat,
and he shook hands with the two sur
vivors. applauded by 10000 men.
From that day fights ceased between
French and Italian soldiers.
This wonderful and gigantic combat
might be held fable were not all the
facts above stated still found In the
archives Of the ministry of war.-Lip-
pincotts.
Knew Three of Them.
Dearborn-Do you know the seven
wonders of the world?