PART II. CHAPTER VI. RULES FOR THE SABRE EXERCISE IN THE SADDLE. SECTION I.-Cuts. THERE are only seven ways of directing the edge of the sabre. The action of the wrist and shoulder alone should direct the blade; but the elbow may sometimes be a little bent (with safety) to give more force to the cut, thrust, or parry, particularly when acting against INFANTRY. Of the seven cuts, four are made diagonally, two horizontally, and one perpendicularly. The cuts three and four should not be made in mounted service, except with the greatest caution; for, as in making those cuts, the body is somewhat unavoidably exposed, your adversary (if well acquainted with the science) will ever be ready to take advantage of such exposure: he will cause openings to induce an attack at those points, as a cut at the sword arm or bridle arm can be made with the greatest security, and, if well directed, with most fatal effect; and it at once decides the issue of the contest. The edge of the sabre should lead in whatever direction the cut is intended. Every cut should be made with the sabre drawn toward you about an inch, lest it should not prove a cut. It should be remembered that every cut made, exposes more or less of the body, and you should always be ready to guard the part exposed. To enable you to understand the direction of the blade in the cuts, you should have a board about two feet square, and lines marked upon it, thus: At the different points of these lines, place the figures as above represented. Each cut is to commence at its respective figure and terminate at the centre, where the lines cross one another. From the want of habit in the exercise of the wrist in the common occupations of life, the use of the sabre will, at first, be found extremely tiresome; and hence the closest perseverance will be necessary to attain perfection in the first lessons, which are merely for the purpose of acquiring suppleness in the wrist and shoulder, and to bring those muscles of the arm into action which give the weaker man (if a swordsman) a decided advantage over the stronger, if unaccustomed to the use of the weapon. SECTION II.--Guards. There should be but three guards used, either in mounted or dismounted service; and those guards, with very little variation, will receive all cuts that can be made. ches The first guard is nearly horizontal, the arm extended and hand higher than the head-the edge of the sabre up and a little inclined to the front-the point to the left front and about six higher than the hilt. This guard can be made at any point from the left rear to the rear, and will protect against cut seven. As an unerring rule, keep the sword hand directed toward your antagonist's left ear (eying him under the sabre) lest he takes advantage of your sword arm. The second guard is a hanging guard to the left side of the body, hand higher than the head, edge to the left, point of the sabre a little out to the left front, and the arm at the full extent. In the hanging guards, you are able to protect yourself and horse by varying them quicker than your adversary can possibly give the cuts. As the formation of these guards is very simple and effective, they can be made with more safety, more ease, and quicker than the guards of any other broad-sword system. |