First.—With a quick motion, direct the point to the front by extending the arm, the arm moving in a straight line to the front of the “First Guard” position, and without altering the direction of the edge.
Parry.—Brace up the arm quickly and parry upwards by forming “First Guard.”
Second.—Deliver the point quickly by extending the arm and sword to the front.
Parry.—Draw back the arm and parry to the right, by forming “Second Guard.”
Third.—Lowering the point, extend the arm.
Parry.—Draw back the arm, and parry to the left by forming “Third Guard.”
Fourth.—Raise the point and deliver the thrust.
Parry.—Parry downwards to the right by forming “Fourth Guard.”
It will be worth the reader’s while to compare carefully the preceding four cuts and points and their guards and parries, with the earlier exercises, the description of which commences on p. 37.
It will be seen that the third and fifth guards (old style) are merged in one, that the fourth and sixth are also merged in one, and the first guard—the old guard in quarte—is dispensed with altogether, and its place taken by a low hanging guard, which is a variation of the old seventh guard, formed with the hand held rather more to the left.