PLATE XXXIV.—CUTTING AN APPLE ON A MAN’S HAND.
PLATE XXXIV.
To Cut an Apple in Two on a Man’s Hand Without Injuring Him.
This is called the “Napier Feat,” from the fact that it was done on Sir Charles Napier’s hand when in India by a native swordsman.
It is very dangerous and difficult, and none but those who have great command over a sword should attempt it.
The man who holds the apple should have good nerve, and should keep his hand very steady. He must raise the palm of his hand as much as possible, and, keeping the four fingers close together, bend them back. The thumb must also be pressed back, and kept as far as possible from the forefinger.
Place the apple on his palm, and standing so that your sword will pass between his thumb and forefinger and point in the same direction, deliver a downward cut without the slightest draw and with sufficient force and no more than will cut the apple.
This is such a delicate and dangerous feat that whenever I have to do it I practise on several apples of the sort I intend to cut, so that I may find out the exact force to apply. Apples differ so much in toughness.
To Cut an Apple in a Handkerchief Without Injuring the Latter.
Take a pocket-handkerchief and tie the four corners together with a piece of string. Hang it four or five feet from the ground, then put in the apple so that it will rest exactly in the centre.
Aiming under the apple, give an upward cut of sufficient force to pass through. If you make the slightest draw you will cut the handkerchief.