THE SWORD EXERCISE differs from F. with the foil; in that, the weapon employed has one cutting edge as well as a point, and is therefore intended to cut and thrust. The sword is the arm of all officers in the army and navy, of many non-commissioned offi cers, and constitutes the sole mode of attack and defense for the officers of the British volunteers. A certain degree of profi ciency in its use is therefore always service able. In practice, the usual substitute is a .stout, straight stick, called a "single-stick," having a basket-handle to protect the knuckles.
'The position of the combatant is the same as that assumed in F. with the foil; the lunge is similar, as are also the "advance" and "retreat," and other minor points. According to the instructions of drill masters, there are seven cuts, with seven corres ponding guards, and three thrusts. The theoretical directions of all these are shown on the accompanying diagram,.which represents a target placed opposite a pupil, so that he may see the motions he is expected to perform displayed before him. The center of the target is supposed to be in a line with the center of his breast.
The cuts proceed from the circumference towards the center along the thick lines. Nos. 1, 3, and 5 are inside cuts, and attack the left cheek, left side, and inside of the right leg respectively; 2, 4, and 6 are outside cuts, attacking the enemy's right cheek, right side, and right leg on the outside. No 7 is a vertical cut, aimed at the head.
The dotted lines show the position of the sword in the several guards by which the cuts are opposed. The sword-handles illustrate the situation of the right hand with reference to the center of the body.
The points or thrusts are shown by the black circles. That towards No. 1 should be directed with the wrist and edge of the sword upwards to the right; towards 2, with the edge upwards to the left; and in the 3d point, with the wrist rising to the center, and the edge upwards to the right.
The " parry" is an additional defensive movement, and consists in bringing the wrist nearly to the right shoulder; whence, as center, a (circular sweep of the sword is made from left to right.
A considerable latitude is allowable in regard to the cuts, as to the part of the adver sary's body at which they are directed, provided the general inclination of the blow be observed; similarly, the cut may at times be parried by a guard other than that intended specially for it, according to the discretion of the fencer.
In engaging, or joining swords, with the enemy, press the blades but lightly together, so that the hand and wrist may he readily susceptible of any motion. In making the guards, care must always be taken to receive, if possible, the feeble of the enemy's blade on the forte of your own, so as to offer the greater opposition. It should also be borne in mind that, in all cuts at the leg, when at proper distance, the shifting of your own leg, and delivering a cut at the same moment, becomes the most effectual and advan tageous defense, particularly if you happen to be taller than your adversary, as you will then probably be out of his reach, while he is within yours.
In contending with bayonet or pike, the most effectual guard is the 5th, which, if well timed, enables the swordsman to seize the musket or pike with his left hand, and then make the Eth cut at his opponent's neck. In an encounter with the rapier, the best cuts are Nos. 3 and 4, as they attack the enemy's arm, which must be advanced within reach before he can touch your body, and also constitute a defense against his thrust. If the enemy—no matter how armed—be on horseback, the dismounted swordsman (provided he have proper nerve and agility) has decidedly the advantage. Endeavor to place yourself on his left, where he has less power of defending himself or his horse, and cannot reach to so great a distance as on his right: an attack on the horse will probably render it ungovernable, and it becomes easy then to avoid the rider's blows, while he himself may be attacked with impunity in almost any direction.