THE HORSEMAN, 109 



PART II. 



:: 



CHAPTER VI. 



RULES FOR THE SABRE EXERCISE IN THE SADDLE. 



SECTION I. Cuts. 



THERE are only seven ways of directing the edge of the 

 sabre. 



The action of the wrist and shoulder alone should di- 

 rect the blade ; but the elbow may sometimes be a little 

 bent (with safety) to give more force to the cut, thrust, 

 or parry, particularly when acting against INFANTRY. 



Of the seven cuts, four are made diagonally, two hori- 

 zontally, and one perpendicularly. 



The cuts three and four should not be made in mount- 

 ed service, except with t^e greatest caution ; for, as in 

 making those cuts, the body is somewhat unavoidably 

 exposed, your adversary (if well acquainted with the sci- 

 ence) will ever be ready to take advantage of such ex- 

 posure : he will cause openings to induce an attack at 

 those points, as a cut at the sword arm or bridle arm can 

 be made with the greatest security, and, if well directed, 

 with most fatal effect ; and it at once decides the issue of 

 the contest 



