WOMEN'S DUEL WITH KNIVES
REMARKABLE SCENE IN BOMB. Barely has such an exciting duel been fought as that which took place on Saturday, July 15, between two young women of the ciiminal classes at the entrance to the Villa Borghese, a short distance from the palace of Queen Margherita in Home. The principals in this extraordinary ■ combat were Angelina Fabiani and Pusqualina Nobili, respectively. 90 and -4 years of age, both natives of the Aoruzzi, and they were assisted in the duel by nine men, three ou oue s'de and six on the other. The quairei began as far back as May, 1910, when Fabiani, having "stolen" Nobili's lover, the latter revenged herself by stabbing her rival. Noblli wont to prison, and as soon as she was released she swore to get even with Fabiani, chiefly because, contrary to the custom among criminals, she had revealed the name of her assailant. She came out of prison on July 12, and Immediately be gan her search for Fabiani. Her industry was rewarded a few evenings ago, when she met Fabiani and her lover in the Piazz.i Colonna. Compliments were exchanged, and in the end Fabiaal's lover struck Nobili, who thereupon challenged her rival to a "rustic duel." The challenge was accepted, and the duel was fixed to take place at nine o'clock in the evening at the entiance to the Villa Borghese. At the appointed hour the combatants and their respective "suites" were on the spot. They faced each other for a moment, holding Ion? knives in their hands. A particularly gross insult from Fabiani stung Noblli to fury, and bounding forward like a tigress she plunged her knife up to the handle into Fabiaui's abdomen. In spite of the terrible wound this inflicted, Fabiani continued the battle, and the two women slashed blindly at each other. Meanwhile the seconds or supporters of the two infuriated women were becoming anxious to take part in the battle. The friends of Nobili were armed with knives; those of Fabiani with cudgels. Soon the cudgels were whirling in the air, dealing blows on backs, arms, and legs, while the men with the knives sought in vain to get to close quarters with their opponents. Nohill clenched with Fabiani and bit her severely in the right wrist. Then her cavaliers, finding that they could not overcome their adversaries' cudgels, gave up the contest and rushed ofr along the Via Vineto. Fabiani's supporters gave chase. While ail this was happening not a policeman had appeared in light. While Nobili was washing her face nt a neighbouring fountain two agents came up and arrested her. as well as her supporters, who had returned. Fabiani was taken In a desperate condition to *be hospital, where at first she refused to say how she had come by her terrible wounds. But finally the whole of the drama came to light, and Fabiani's supporters were also arrested.
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Bibliographic details
Auckland Star, Volume XLII, Issue 209, 2 September 1911, Page 17
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487WOMEN'S DUEL WITH KNIVES Auckland Star, Volume XLII, Issue 209, 2 September 1911, Page 17
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