Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1912-08-20
A FAMOUS FENcER.

A FAMOUS FENcER.
Master at Arms Jean Louis Was q
Wizard With the Sword,
To give an idea of what brave man
can do II he knows fencing thoroughly
and but keeps cool and collected in
danger we will relate historical duel.
So extraordinary is this combat that It
would be held a romance had 1t not
been witnessed by a whole army. The
hero Is Jean Louis, one Of the great
masters of the sword Of the beginning
Of last century, and the duel happened
in Madrid in 1913. He was the master
at arms Of the Thirty-second regiment
Of French infantry. The First regi-
ment, composed entirely Of Italians,
formed part Of the same brigade.
Regimental esprit de corps and RI
valries Of nationality caused constant
quarrels, when swords were often
whipped out or bullets exchanged. At
ter small battle between the two fac
tions of the brigade had occurred in
the streets Of Madrid, In which over
200 French and Italian soldiers had ta-
ken 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 re-establish disci-
pline. They declared that the masters
at arms Of the two regiments involved
should take up the quarrel and fight 1t
out.
Imagine a whole army In battle ar
ray on one Of the large plains that sur
round Madrid. In the center a large
ring is left open for the contestants.
This spot Is raised above the plain 80
that not one Of the spectators Of this
tragic scene-gayly dressed officers,
soldiers in line. Spaniards. excited az
never q bullfght excited them-will
miss one phase of the contest. 1t Is be-
fore 10000 meh that the honor Of an
army Is about to be avenged In the
blood Of thirty brave men.
The drum is heard. Two men, ma
ked 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 handsome
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.
"On guard"
The two masters cross swords. Gia-
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 and caresses
and teases his opponents blade. Jean
Louis, calm and watchful, lends him
self to the play, when, quicker than
lightning, the italian jumps aside with
loud yell and makes a terrible lunge
at Jean Louis, a Florentine trick often
successful. But with extraordinary ra-
pidity Jean Louis has parried and ris-
posts quickly in the shoulder.
1T is nothing" cries Giacomo. "a
mere scratch" And they again fall on
guard. This time the sword Of Jean
Louis, who is now attacking, pene-
trates 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
adversaries are there, impatient to
measure swords with the conquerer,
burning to avenge the master they had
deemed invincible.
Jean Louis hardly has two minutes
rest. He is ready. A new adversary
stands before him. A sinister click OF
swords is heard, lunge. q parry, a
rispost and then a cry, sigh, and all
is over. A second body is before Jean
Louis.
A. third adversary advances. They
want Jean Louis to rest. am not
tired" he answers, with a smile.
The signal is given. The Italian Is
as 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 victories. He multiplies his
feints and tricks; then. all at once
bounding like a tiger on his prey, ne
gives his opponent a terrible thrust In
the lower line. But Jean Louis sword
has parried 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
lesson 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 a fable were not all the
facts above stated still found In the
archives of the ministry Of war.-Lip-
pincott's.
IA "And yet they say there's no
such thing as luck" whats hap
Ia .rA l11