112 THE HORSEMAN. 



The third guard is also a hanging guard, formed by 

 extending the arm to the right front, hand higher than 

 the head, edge out, and sabre nearly vertical. This 

 guard, when correctly made, will, with but little varia- 

 tion, protect against cuts two, four, and six ; and if ex- 

 tended to the right rear, will save yourself and horse 

 from any of the above named cuts. 



All guards should be made at the full extent of the 

 arm. 



If the guards are made close to the body, they are 

 liable to become broken, and you may still receive the 

 cut ; but the further the guards are extended, the further 

 the antagonist is kept off. 



In the hanging guards numbers two and three the 

 point of the sabre is sometimes thrown out or in, accord- 

 ing as the cuts are made. 



In forming the second and third guards, it matters not 

 \vhat your position may be in the saddle, they can be 

 named at whatever point they are made. For instance : 

 if you extend the arm to the front, it is called the front 

 hanging guard; if to the right front, the right front 

 hanging guard, and so on, until the guard is formed en- 

 tirely around you ; and it can be made at any point from 

 the left rear to the rear, raising the point of the sabre 

 over the horse's neck. 



It is to be supposed that, in single combat, swordsmen 

 will meet sword arm to sword arm ; they will then be on 

 equal footing as regards position. 



It seldom happens (unless through excedingly bad 



