Part 3 (1/2)

CUTS AND GUARDS.

CUTS.

_Cut_ 1.--The young swordsman extends his right arm, and makes the cut clear through the target. When the point has cleared the target, continue the sweep of the sword, and by the turn of the wrist bring it with its back on the left shoulder, its edge towards the left. The arm is then ready for

_Cut_ 2.--Bring the sword from 2 to 3, continue the movement of the sword, and turn the wrist so that the point is below the right hip and the edge towards the ground.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

_Cut_ 3.--Cut through the target diagonally, bringing the sword from No.

3 to No. 2, and bring the sword onwards, so that it rests with the edge downwards, and point below the left hip. At

[Ill.u.s.tration: _First Point._]

_Cut_ 4.--Cut from 4 to 1, and bring the sword round until its point is over the right shoulder, and its edge well to the right.

_Cut_ 5.--At the word Five, make a horizontal cut from 5 to 6, and sweep the sword round until it rests on the left shoulder, with its edge to the left, and its point well over the shoulder.

_Cut_ 6.--Cut horizontally through the target from 6 to 5, and bring the sword over the head with the edge upwards, and its point hanging over the back. From this position,--

_Cut_ 7.--Make a downward stroke until the sword reaches the center of the target. Arrest it there, and remain with the arm extended, waiting for the word.

POINTS.

First Point.--Draw back the sword, until the right wrist is against the right temple, the edge of the sword being upwards. Make a slight pause, and then thrust smartly forward toward the center of the target, raising the right wrist as high as No. 1, and pressing the left shoulder well back.

Second Point.--Turn the wrist round to the left, so that the edge comes upwards, draw the hand back until it rests on the breast, and give the point forwards, to the center of the target, raising the hand as before.

Third Point.--Give the handle of the sword a slight twist in the hand to the right, so that the edge again comes uppermost, and the guard rests against the back of the hand. Draw back the hand until it rests against the right hip, and deliver it forward towards the spot at the bottom of the target, raising the wrist as high as the spot in the center. The object in raising the wrist is to deceive the eye of the opponent, who will be more likely to notice the position of your wrist than of your point. In all the thrusts, the left shoulder should be rather brought forward before the point is given, and pressed well back while it is being delivered.

[Ill.u.s.tration: _Second Point._]

GUARDS.

Wait after the third point has been delivered for the word,

DEFEND.--At this word draw up the hand smartly, and form the first guard. Make the other guards in succession as they are named, while the instructor proves their accuracy by giving the corresponding cuts. The guards must be learned from the target, by placing the sword in exactly the same position as those delineated. The guards are these:

[Ill.u.s.tration: _Third Point._]

A First guard. E Fifth.

B Second. F Sixth.

C Third. G Seventh.

D Fourth.