New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-09-03

,,s for his knife whenever his temper is aroused.
great deal of skill often is displayed in street
dues. The strokes of some men nave an inoi ~
uality which can be recognized in the wounds of
those with whom they have fought. They strike
in a certain place and In certain way IL IS sdlo
that hospital surgeons become acquainted with
these characteristics and can tell If the man
brought to them wounded by some one whose
handwork they have seen before
The knives are of the clasp variety. Ihey open
with a spring so as to close without the
spring being purposely loosened when once opened
In shape they exactly like the ancient sclinta
but taper toward the point For at least TWO
inches they are two-edged Some of them. made
solely for the purpose of fighting. are two feet
long the length being evenly divided between the
handle and the blade. The ordinary knife USED
for stabblng and for eating is from four to SIX
inches long The "faja' and navajo. or knife
are the badges of manhood.
A duel usually begins in this manner Two men
get into a quarrel Their words run high lhey
go to a little roadside inn and drink some vie
wine This heats their passions further Ihen
they go outside and, throwing of their sohore''S'
draw their knives. If they are skilful they will
lunge at each other for ten minutes without oeing
) able to touch each other. They turn off the
strokes of the adversary deftly with their SOM
breros Soon however, one or the other receives
a serious wound. The injured man falls to the
ground The crowd which may have gathered 10
witness the fight and the successful one then dis
appear as rapidly as their legs can carry them
The wounded man is left lying in the road until
some of the civil guards appear and take him TO
the hospital There is thought on the part of
those who saw the fray to remain to assist the
wounded man. for the guard is likely to arrest
any one upon whom he lay his hands as the
assauant The fact that man has been WOUNDED
does not appear have any effect upon the feel
tngs of the man WHO has committed the deed. or
upon the witnesses. There is no thought Of IN
terferng with of the duels. and the winner
may use his knife few hours later in eating MS
evening meal without conjunction.
Not all the duels OF this bloody nature. If
one may Judge from the that a certain trav-
eller witnessed This was comic rather than
tragic in character. Ar uproar heard outside
the door of the Inn. On opening the door, IT was
found that crowd OF men and boys had gathered
in the read i little below. They were attenttvely
watching two ragged beggars, who apparently nad
forgotten that they cripples a few moments
before The two were now actively oelaoorlns
ga ch other with their crutches and shouting. one
NJ them receiving a whack. which he seemed 10
think beyond all human endurance. moved hur-
redly off to the opposite side OF the street Fllng
ing away his crutch. he drew long c4dSPhIiAe
from beneath his rags. 1t opened Win d seite'
NJ ratchety clicks. The other oeggar pacAsu ny
m the wall on his side and did the same i'e
crowd was silent regarding the two enrased men
with interest The combatants bent for"aro' lhsir
,,,ves nosed In front OF them, each with MS eyes
1xed tntenty on the other. There was Hio'i'ei'
- rsnAnss and then they went at eacn other with
= wild rush their blades cleaning In the air. Inc