_Of the demarches, or manner of advancing and retiring._
Most of the Faults committed in making Thrusts when the Measure is to be
closed, proceed from the Disorder of the Body, occasioned by that of the
Feet, so that for want of moving well, you are not only in danger of
being taken on your Time, but likewise you cannot execute your Thrusts
neatly, justly, nor swiftly; the Body being disordered and weak. There
are ten Demarches in Fencing; four in advancing, five in retiring, and
one to turn your Adversary, or hinder him from turning you. The first
Demarche in advancing, is made by lifting and carrying your Left-foot
the length of your Shoe before the right, keeping it turned as in guard,
with the Knee bent, lifting up the Heel of the Right-foot, leaning the
body forward, which, on this occasion, gives it more strength and a
better air; then carrying the Right-foot about two foot before the left,
in order to be in Guard, which is done by a smart Beat of the
Right-foot.
The same _Demarche_ in retiring, is made by lifting and carrying the
Right foot the Length of the Shoe behind the Left, with the Knee a
little bent, then carrying the Left-foot on the Line, and to the
Distance of Guard.
The second _Demarche_ is called closing the Measure; which is done by
lifting and advancing the Right-foot a bout a Foot with a Beat, drawing
the Left the same Length; because by drawing it more or less you would
lose your Strength or your Measure, which few People have observed.
There is such a _Demarche_ backward, which is called breaking Measure;
which is done by lifting and carrying the Left-foot a Foot back, drawing
or bringing back the Right in Proportion according as the Ground will
permit.
If the Ground be uneven, or that you have a mind to surprize an
unskilful Man by gaining Measure unperceived, or to oblige one, a little
expert, to push at the time you advance your Body; you must, I say, if
your Adversary is unskilful, bring the Left-foot more or less near the
Right, as you are more or less out of Measure, which gains more Ground,
and less visibly than the foregoing _Demarche_, and is more favourable
to your Thrust: If your Adversary is a little expert, and pushes on this
your advancing you must bring back the Left-foot to it's Place, and he
will be out of Measure, tho' by Means of his Lunge you will be well in
Measure, which is a great Advantage.
The same _Demarche_ may be made in retiring, where the Ground is uneven,
lifting the Right-foot, bringing it near the Left, and putting back the
Left in Guard.
To make a Thrust in three Motions, being out of Measure, you must make a
double Beat, which is done by a small Beat of the Right-foot in the same
Place, beginning immediately with the same Foot to close the Measure.
The three Ways of retiring which I have shewn, are done from the
Situation in Guard. The two which are done after a Lunge are, first by
lifting and bringing the Right-foot back from the Place of the Lunge
behind the Left, and then carrying the Left behind the Right, in order
to be in Guard.
The late Monsieur De Latouche, and Monsieur De Liancour, found this
demarche better than the following one, tho' it is not so generally
used.
The second Retreat after having pushed, is made by drawing back the
Right-foot about the length of the Shoe, bending the Knees, in order to
be in a condition to chace or drive back the Left-foot with the Right,
keeping the Hams very supple, the Body free, and the Sword before you;
not only that you may spring the farther, but also to be in a better
Posture of defence. The Point of the Right-foot should come down first,
leaning immediately after on the Heel; the Left-foot must fall on the
Line at the distance, and in the Situation in Guard, as I before
observed, in order to be ready to take the Time, or to make a Riposte.
The two Masters that I have quoted, condemned this Retreat very much,
especially Monsieur De Latouche, who says in springing back, three
motions are necessary; first to draw back the Right-foot in guard,
secondly to bend the Knee, and thirdly to chace or fly back. Any Master,
will find that there should be but two motions, it being easy to bend
the Knees and draw back the Right-foot at the same Time.
Besides, his rule for springing back is false; for by drawing the
Right-foot back so far as in guard; you lose Time, the first Motion
being too long, and the Feet being so close together, the Body has not
sufficient Strength, and consequently cannot go far. From this it is
plain that three Motions are not necessary for springing back, there
being but two in all. He likewise says that the leaping back, requires
such an effort, that you have not Power to parry; but Experience
sufficiently shows that you may easily parry and spring back. Indeed on
a moving Sand, or slippery Ground, it is very difficult to leap back;
and if we consider things rightly, we cannot find our purpose answered
at all times and places; and tho' the first Retreat that I recommended,
and which these Gentlemen esteemed, is very good, yet if you are
followed closely in retreating thus, as the two Steps do not place you
at so great a Distance, by much, as the springing back, you may be put
to a Nonplus by a redouble.
When you know the just Length of your Adversary's Thrust, you may break
or steal out of measure, by leaning back the Body, without stirring the
Foot.
If in the Field, you have the Disadvantage of the Ground, the Wind, or
the Sun, or that in a School, you are exposed to too much Light, or,
pushing with an awkard Man; in order to obviate these Inconveniencies,
you must go round him, which may be done within or without according as
you have Room.
The Turning must be done out of Measure, and with great Caution: When
'tis within your Sword, you must begin with your Left-foot, carrying it
to that Side, and then bring the Right-foot to it's proper Line and
Distance; and if your Adversary turns on the Outside, you must carry the
Right-foot to that Side, and the Left in Guard, as well to avoid his
Thrusts, as to lay hold on every favourable Opportunity, in case he
should persist in his _Demarche_.
You should never give Measure but to your Inferior: Giving Measure, is
when the Body and Feet advance too much, or in Disorder; or advancing
before you are well situated, although corrected in the _Demarche_, or
advancing when you are near enough, except you be much superior to the
Enemy.
The Measure should be given to oblige the Adversary to push; in order
to get an Opportunity of taking the Time, or of _risposting_.