FIGHT WITH SABRES.

Putaruru Press, Volume VII, Issue 315, 21 November 1929, Page 6

FIGHT WITH SABRES.

DUEL OVER GIRL. Miss Betty Fletcher-Mossop, a beautiful London girl, who lives in Sloane street, S.W., and is a goddaughter of Lady Stalbridge, has been the innocent cause of a sabre duel between two Italians, as a result of which one man was wounded on the throat, arm and thigh, nose, chest and cheek, writes the Brioni correspondent of the Daily Mail. A few weeks ago Miss FletcherMossop, accompanied liy her chaperon, Mrs. Louis Sheldon, a rich American of Boston and sister of Mr. King Sheldon, the racquets player, went in a party by motor-boat to Fasana, a small town on the mainland noted for its lobsters. On arrival at a cafe they found another party from Brioni, which included Signor Volante, of Naples, and Signor Luling, of Florence. During dinner a number of the local inhabitants jeered at the visitors. This infuriated a friend of Signor Luling, and both men spoke their minds to'the people causing the disturbance.

On their return to their party, however, Signor Volante said to Signor Luling that in his opinion Signor Luling had behaved badly in front of the women, including Miss FletcherMossop, by taking notice of the local people and speaking as he did. Signor Luling made some reply to Signor Volante, and this small beginning led to a challenge to a duel and its acceptance. Signor Volante had never handled a sword before. But etiquette and honour compelled him to go on with the incident. Signor Luling, on the other hand, was a practised swordsman.

As it was decided that the duel would continue until one man was incapacitated, a doctor had to be found, as well as seconds. Both sides, too, had to spend an hour or more, according to etiquette, writing a resume of the events preceding the challenge. This was necessary in case of either man being killed. Sabres were secured from the local master-at-arms. The two men stripped to the waist and wore gauntlet gloves to protect their wrists and hands. There stood Signor Volante with the sabre in front of him like a broomstick, and advancing confidently upon him was young Signor Luling.

First he slashed at Signor Volante’s head and nearly took an eye out. Then he cut him slightly on the throat, two inches from the jugular vein. He next cut his arm. He then chipped his nose and cheek, scratched his chest, and made a lunge at his hip. This last thrust cut the skin and removed most of the seat of Signor Volante’s trousers. Then the doctor called a halt. Signor Volante was removed, but his day was not over. He knew that it was etiquette for the beaten man to stay up as late as his victor on the night of a duel to show that he had endurance. Signor Luling, absolutely untouched, remained in the bar of the hotel until after 3.30 a.m., and his unfortunate victim had to do the same.