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. | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guard. | Hanging Guard. | Hanging Guard. | ||||
| Third Point. | Prepare to give Third Point. | Prepare to Parry. | ||||
| Point. | - | Give Third Point, and when parried spring back to 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 practise. 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. |
|---|---|---|
| Guard. | Hanging Guard. | Hanging Guard. |
| Leg. | Cut Four. | Cut Seven. |
| Inside Guard. | Inside Guard. | Inside Guard. |
| Leg. | Cut Six [at Leg]. | Cut Six [at Neck]. |
| Outside Guard. | Outside Guard. | Outside Guard. |
| Leg. | Cut Five [at Leg]. | Cut Five [at Neck]. |
| Guard. | Hanging Guard. | Hanging Guard. |
| Slope Swords. | Slope Swords. | Slope 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.
FOURTH PRACTICE.
| WORD OF COMMAND. | FRONT RANK. | REAR RANK. |
|---|---|---|
| Guard. | Hanging Guard. | Hanging Guard. |
| Head. | Seventh Cut. | Seventh Guard. |
| Head. | Seventh Guard. | Cut Seven. |
| Leg. | Fourth Cut. | Seventh Guard. |
| Leg. | Seventh Guard. | Fourth Cut. |
| Head. | Seventh Cut. | Seventh Guard. |
| Head. | Seventh Guard. | Seventh Cut. |
| Guard. | Hanging Guard. | Hanging Guard. |
| Slope Swords. | Slope Swords. | Slope Swords. |
In this and the preceding exercise, the power of shifting the leg is shown. If two swordsmen attack each other, and No. 1 strikes at the leg of No. 2, it will be better for No. 2 not to oppose the cut by the third or fourth guard, but to draw back the leg smartly, and cut six or seven at the adversary’s head or neck.
In loose play, as it is called, i. e. when two parties engage with swords without following any word of command, but strike and guard as they can, both players stand in the second position, because they can either advance or retreat as they choose, and can longe out to the third position for a thrust or a cut, or spring up to the first position for a guard with equal ease.