ONE OF SANDOW’S ADVENTURES.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 18, Issue 40, 17 May 1907, Page 7

ONE OF SANDOW’S ADVENTURES.

Sandow teUs the following story of a narrow oscapo from assassination which fell to his lot some years ago: I was once visiting a town in Italy, where there was a strong man warned Antonio, who boasted of never being thrown. I promptly sent him a challenge, and it was accepted. The trial was fixed at the local theatre for the next night. Just as I entered the door of the theatre a friend of mine hurried up to me in a great state of excitement, and urged me to leave the place, as it was rumoured that if I threw Antonio the townspeople would never let me leave the town with a whole skin. However, 1 was determined to meet the man, no. matter what happened. As I gazed at the largo and noisy crowd, and saw the people fighting at the ontrance for seats, I felt rather nervous, but once on the stage I became calm and collected again, A big, splendidly formed man was Antonio. You do not want to have details of the performance. Suffice it that in. the end, with a mighty effort, I threw him. A scene of wild excitement ensued when 1 was proclaimed the winner. It was generalrecognised that the throw was a lair one, and, alter many speeches and some ‘health-drinking,’ I got away from the theatre in company with a friend, who was glad to find things had passed off so well. ‘But” (continues Mr. Sandow) “my night’s adventures were not yet at an end. As we wandered along, chatting earnestly, I noticed manv dark figures hurrying past us. For some reason I lelt uneasy. Soon l we readied a little bridge leading over a small canal. Then we saw what it all meant. Both sides of the bridge were lined with furious Italians armed with every kind of weapon. They evidently meant to have revenge on me for conquering their local champion. Retreat would then have been out of the question, and even if it had not been, I question whether I should have retired. My blood was 1 airly up, and 1 determined, with a great nobbed stick which I had, to do battle. I advanced towards the mob, and to my great astonishment they at once gave way, and allowed mo to pass. Immediately I got to the other side of the bridge, I turned round and began to laugh at the cowards. But at once a horrible sight met my gaze, and my laughter ceased. Only a short distance o(T lay my unfortunate friend, stabbed to death. The sight gave me a terrible shock, and the scene of the brutish murder will remaip in my memory as long as I live.”