The guard for the head, described in page 32, will stop this attack, but
should you find your opponent is passing his sword under your point,
lower your hand quickly and bear it to your left until the pommel is
opposite your left nipple. Point as high as the top of your head and a
little to the left of your hand, edge to the left, wrist sunk, and
inside of forearm resting on the body, to prevent the cut being given
under the wrist.
This is the quarte guard with the hand drawn a little back. It may also
be used against returns at the left breast.
PLATE VI.
FEINT AT THE HEAD AND CUT AT THE LEFT BREAST, AND GUARD.
This is done under the same circumstances and in the same manner as “The
Feint at the Head and Cut at the Left Cheek,” except that the cut is
aimed at the left nipple. Opposition the same as when cutting at the
head.
The guard, also, is the same, except that the hand should be a little
lower when forming the quarte.
In this illustration the guard is formed with the point down (prime).
[Illustration: PLATE VII.—FEINT AT THE HEAD AND CUT AT THE INSIDE OF THE
WRIST.]
PLATE VII.
FEINT AT THE HEAD AND CUT INSIDE THE WRIST.
This is also done under the same circumstances and in the same manner as
“The Feint at the Head and Cut at the Left Cheek,” except that you only
make a half longe, and aiming at the inside of the wrist, make a
retrograde cut by drawing your hand towards your body, and at the same
time retire out of distance to avoid the counter.
The guard for this attack is the same as the one for “The Feint at the
Head and Cut at the Left Cheek.”
None of the three preceding attacks can be made on a man who keeps the
point of his sword well down and forward when guarding the head or left
breast, and who does not attempt to return until he has found his
opponent’s blade.
The head guard, as described in page 32, will guard the left cheek and
wrist, and the engaging guard with the edge a little turned to your left
will defend the cut at the left breast. They should, as a rule, be used
against all attacks directed against these parts.
The guard with the point up ought only to be used as an auxiliary, when
you find that your point in forming the other guard has got too high.
If you always use it to defend the left side, you may easily be hit by a
feint at the left and a cut at the right side or forearm.
[Illustration: PLATE VIII.—FEINT AT THE HEAD AND CUT UNDER RIGHT ARM,
AND GUARD (HIGH SECONDE).]
PLATE VIII.
FEINT AT THE HEAD AND CUT UNDER THE RIGHT ARM, AND GUARD.
This attack, when well executed, is most difficult to judge and guard.
Feint at the head by suddenly straightening the arm and directing the
point to a little above your adversary’s forehead, with the edge of the
sword turned down, then, without drawing back the arm, but with the
action of the wrist only, longe and deliver a cut on the right armpit,
the edge slightly turned up so that the arm may be covered with the
hilt. Always aim this cut high, so that should your adversary form his
guard a little low you will hit the outside of his shoulder.
Opposition, hand as high as and opposite to your right shoulder.
The cut may sometimes be given on the arm.