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_.

CHAP. XII.

_Of_ Disengagements.

There is nothing more nice, or more necessary in Fencing, than
Disengagements; the nicest Motion, being the smoothest and finest, and
the most necessary, there being but few Thrusts where you ought not to
disengage, and to several more than once; and there is no better Means
of avoiding the Advantage that a strong Man has when he presses on your
Sword.

If we confine ourselves, strictly, to the Meaning of Disengagements, we
shall find it to be of three Sorts; which are, upon the Blade, over the
Point, and under the Wrist: But as this might be too intricate in
Lessons, and a Learner mistake one for another; none should be called a
Disengagement, but that which is made on the Blade; and though the
others are, in effect, Disengagements, especially that over the P