The Cruise of the Branwen

THE OLYMPIC GAMES of Wales, arrived on the terrain, and spent ~ome time examining the swords used and the eaps and colours of the English team, who were kept waiting some little while by the Germans. This was the first heat of the . International Epee Team Tournament, and great interest was manifested in the result. The Crown Prince of Greece had offered a prize, in addition to the Olympic medals, and the King of Greece's private secretary was president of the jury. Nothing better than the ground which had been prepared could be wished for an epee fight, and the sun shone brightly as the first pair of epeistes were called into the arena. I need not here give the details, which I have quoted on another page from the account published in the Field, so it will suffice to say that Lord Desborough, Sir Cosmo Duff Gordon, Newton Robinson, and Seligman won handsomely by nine points to two out of a possible sixteen. The German eaptain was then presented to King Edward, who thereupon asked the English eaptain to give three cheers for the German team, which were very heartily shouted by the large assemblage present. It was generally recognised that the Italian style in which the Germans fought was chiefly responsible for their defeat by so large a margin. But Lord Desborough, and Newton Robinson never showed better form in their lives, and a German had only to move his guard a few inches to be hit immediately by their watchful points upon his wrist. This naturally encouraged us all very much, and I fear 66