Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-04-26
A FAMOUS FENCER
Master at Arms Jean Louis Was
a Wizard With the Sword.

To give an idea Of what brave man
can do Il he knows fencing thoroughly
and but keeps cool and collected in
danger we viii 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 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 rival
ries Of nationality caused constant
quarrels, when swords were often
whipped out or bullets exchanged
After a small battle between the two
factions Of the brigade had occurred In
the streets Of Madrid. in which over
200 French and Italian soldiers lad
taken part, the officers Of the two regi-
ments, in q 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 it
out
Imagine a whole army in battle array
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 SO
that not one Of the spectators Of this
tragic scene-gayly dressed officers,
soldiers in line, Spaniards, excited as
never q bullhght excited them-will
miss one phase of the contest. 1t is
before 10000 men that the honor Of an
army is about to be avenged In 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
command. His name is Jean Louis.
The seconds take their places on either
side of their principals. A deathlike
silence ensues.
ION guardr'
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 leases his opponents blade. Jean
Louis, calm and watchful, lends him
self to the play, when. quicker than
lightning, the Italian jumps aside with
q loud yell and makes a terrible lunge
at Jean Louis. Elorentine trick often
successful. But with extraordinary ra-
pidity Jean Louis has parted and ris-
posts quickly in the shoulder.
1T is nothing" cries GiacomO, "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. pen
etrates deeply. Giacomo's face be-
comes livid, his sword drops from his
hand and he falls heavily on the turf.
he is dead.
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 conqueror.
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. a parry, a ris-
post and then cry, sigh. and all is
over. A second body is before Jean
Louis.
A third adversary advances. They
want Jean Louis to rest. II am not
tired" he answers, with a smile.
The signal is given. The Italian is
as tall as the one who lies there