A BRUTAL DUEL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 8306, 12 July 1890, Page 2 (Supplement)

A BRUTAL DUEL.

The account given by , the New York papers of a duel recently fought by two Italians there leaves upon the mind the impression that in arresting the witnesses of the affair, as has been done, on the charge of complicity in murder, the right course has been taken. Both of the Italians, it seems, were expert witli the stiletto, which was the weapon used, and the combat lasted several hours, the antagonists being in a long room destitute of furniture, with six of their countrymen acting as seconds. After the battle had lasted for upwards of two hours the duellists rested, and called for refreshments. Both of their, were wounded, but, seated opposite one another, they made a hearty meal, and smoked together, after which the tight was resume 1. It continued for a considerable t in\e, the Italians being cautious at first ; but finally they closed, and began to stab each other unmercifully. The seconds did not prevent the slaughter, but, when both of the men fell covered with wounds to tho ground, they were wrapped in blankets, to be carefully carried to the hospital, where they expired whilst being examined by the doctors. It is distinctly a misnomer to call an atl'air of tins kind a duel, in the usual acceptation of the word, and it may be expected that the six Italians who are under arrest for complicity in minder will, by the sentence pissed on them, be brought to regret that they stood by with equanimity whilst two men were killing each other in such savage fashion.