Every Boy's Book: A Complete Encyclopaedia of Sports and Amusements Part 34

16. Cut Seven.

17. Seventh Guard.

18. First Point. [Prepare for the point in First Position.] Two.

[Thrust in Third Position.]

19. Second Point. [Prepare for it in First Position.] Two. [Thrust in Third Position.]

20. Third Point. [Prepare.] Two. [Thrust.]

21. Parry. [Prepare to parry in First Position.] Two. [Parry.]

22. Guard.

The young swordsman must remember that in this, as in all the exercises, the cuts and points must be given in the third position, as in the accompanying ill.u.s.tration, which shows the swordsman just as he has delivered the seventh cut, and is waiting for the next word before he resumes the first position.

[Ill.u.s.tration: SEVENTH CUT.]

The guards, on the contrary, are given in the first position, as is seen in the figure on p. 219, which ill.u.s.trates the seventh guard.

These exercises are always learned with the single-stick, or basket-hilted cudgel, in order to avoid the dangers which would be inevitable if the sword were used. But as the single-stick is only an imitation of the sword, I will give the method of getting the sword out of the sheath into any position required.

DRAW SWORDS.

The first word of command is _draw swords_. At the word _draw_, seize the sheath just below the hilt, with the left hand, and raise the hilt as high as the hip, at the same time grasping the hilt with the right hand, turning the edge of the sword to the rear, and drawing it partially from the sheath, to ensure its easy removal.

[Ill.u.s.tration: SEVENTH GUARD.]

At the word _swords_, draw the blade smartly out of the scabbard, throwing the point upwards, at the full extent of the arm, the edge being still to the rear.

RECOVER SWORDS.

The wrist is now smartly lowered until it is level with the chin, the blade upright, and the edge to the left. This is the position of recover swords. The elbow must be kept close to the body, as in the cut.

[Ill.u.s.tration: RECOVER SWORDS.]

CARRY SWORDS.

The wrist is now sharply lowered until the arm hangs at its full length, the wrist being in the line with the hip, the edge of the sword to the front, and its back resting in the hollow of the shoulder, the fingers lightly holding the hilt. The left hand hangs at the side until the word _inside guard_, when it is placed on the left hip.

SLOPE SWORDS.

At the word _swords_, raise the right hand smartly, until it forms a right angle at the elbow.

RETURN SWORDS.

At the word, raise the blade until it is perpendicular, move the hilt to the hollow of the left shoulder, drop the point of the sword into the scabbard (which has been grasped by the left hand and slightly raised,) at the same time turning the edge to the rear. Pause an instant, and send the sword smartly into the sheath, removing both hands as the hilt strikes against the mouth of the scabbard: drop them to the side, with the palms outwards, and stand in the first position.

PRACTICES.

There are many exercises with the broadsword, called _Practices_. I have given one of them, which is to be practised alone; but when the pupil has attained some confidence in the use of his weapon, he must be placed opposite another pupil, and they must go through them, each taking the attack and defence in turn.

The young swordsman must be provided with a very stout wire mask, which defends the face and part of the neck, and which should be worked in a kind of helmet above, to guard against the disastrous consequences of receiving the seventh guard. No practices, loose or otherwise, should be permitted without the masks, as neither party would be able to cut or thrust with proper confidence.

SECOND PRACTICE.

This is very useful in teaching the point and parry, as well as giving steadiness on the feet. Two boys are placed opposite each other, at just such a distance, that when perfectly erect they can touch the hilt of their adversary's sword with the point of their own.

The one who gives the first point is called Front Rank, (there may be a dozen in each rank, each having tried the distance to his right by extending his sword,) and the one who gives first parry is called Rear Rank.

WORD OF COMMAND. FRONT RANK. REAR RANK.

Guard. Hanging Guard. Hanging Guard.

Third Point. Prepare to give Third Point. Prepare to Parry.

Point. {Give Third Point, and when } Parry Third Point, {parried spring back to First } and prepare to {Position, and prepare to parry.} give Third Point.

Point. {Parry Third Point, and prepare } Give Third Point, {for Third Point. } and prepare to { } Parry.

Point, &c. &c.

This should be continued until both are weary. Both swordsmen should learn to do it more rapidly every time they practise. Next time of going through it, front rank and rear rank change places, as they must do in all the practices.

THIRD PRACTICE.

WORD OF COMMAND. FRONT RANK. REAR RANK.

Guard. Hanging Guard. Hanging Guard.

Leg. Cut Four. Cut Seven.

Inside Guard. Inside Guard. Inside Guard.

Leg. Cut Six [at Leg]. Cut Six [at Neck].

Outside Guard. Outside Guard. Outside Guard.

Leg. Cut Five [at Leg]. Cut Five [at Neck].

Guard. Hanging Guard. Hanging Guard.

Slope Swords. Slope Swords. Slope Swords.

In this and the other practices, the cuts must be delivered in the third position, and the guards in the first. In the third and fourth practices, the cuts must be given lightly, as many of them are not intended to be guarded, but merely to show the powers of the sword in various positions.

FOURTH PRACTICE.

WORD OF COMMAND. FRONT RANK. REAR RANK.

Guard. Hanging Guard. Hanging Guard.

Head. Seventh Cut. Seventh Guard.

Head. Seventh Guard. Cut Seven.

Leg. Fourth Cut. Seventh Guard.

Leg. Seventh Guard. Fourth Cut.