THE HORSEMAN. 



109 



PART 11. 



CHAPTER VI. 



RULES FOR THE SABRE EXERCISE IN THE SADDLE. 



Section I. — Cuts. 



There are only seven ways of directing the edge of the 

 sahre. 



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 the greatest caution j 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. 



