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.
GuardHanging guardHanging guard
Third pointPrepare to give
third point		Prepare to parry

Point		 Give third point,
and when parried
spring back to the
first position, and
prepare to parry		 Parry third point,
and prepare to
give third point

Point		 Parry third point,
and prepare for
third point		 Give 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 practice. 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.
GuardHanging guardHanging guard
LegCut fourCut seven
Inside guardInside guardInside guard
LegCut six [at leg] Cut six [at neck]
Outside guard Outside guardOutside guard
LegCut five [at leg]Cut five [at neck]
GuardHanging guardHanging guard
Slope SwordsSlope swordsSlope 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.