10th do.—Head. Head. Hit under right arm. Thrust at breast. Head.
11th do.—Head. Head. Hit outside leg. Thrust at breast. Head.
12th do.—Feint a thrust under the blade, and hit at the head. Inside leg. Thrust at the breast. Head. Head.
In these exercises you must not get into the habit of cutting only at each other’s swords, and thereby making a mock combat, but you should try to hit each other on every occasion.
THE SALUTE.
The Salute is a ceremony usually performed by two sabre players previous to making an assault. It is a mark of respect to those looking on, and an act of courtesy to each other.
Both should move together, and keep correct time throughout its performance.
There is no established method, but the following is that generally adopted by the best sabre players I know.
The two adversaries, facing each other in the first position, without wearing masks, which should be laid on the floor on their left, go smartly on guard, as shown in Plate [II]., and having beat twice on each other’s blades, return to the first position.
Both bring the hilt to the mouth, the point of the thumb level with the lower lip, sword upright, and edge to the left. This is called “Recover swords.” Then turning the face and directing the eyes to the left, slowly and gracefully extend the arm and the sword in the same direction until the point is level with the centre of the face and arm nearly straight, hand in quarte, and as high as the shoulder.