e two other Ways of making these Thrusts: The one by an Interval
between the first and second Motions, joining or uniting the other two;
and the latter between the second and third Motions, joining the two
first. Though both these Methods are good, I prefer the latter, which
puts you in a better Condition, not only to avoid your Adversary's
Thrust, but also to chuse your own; the Interval giving you a favourable
Opportunity of doing both.

There has been so much said of the Feints which I have described, with
their Opposites, that I shall say no more of them, nor will I speak of
an infinite Number of other Feints, strait, single, and double, within,
without, and under, in disengaging, or cutting over the Point, or under
the Wrist, in risposting, or redoubling Thrusts; all which, depend on
the three which I have described; in which, as in all Thrusts, the Body
must be kept back, and the Fort of the Sword before you; by which Means,
you are more out of Danger, and the Wrist is better prepared. Some Men
mark Feints with the Head and Body, which is a very disagreeable Sight,
and dangerous with Regard to Time.

A Feint is the Likeness of the Beginning of a Thrust: It is made to put
the Adversary off his Guard, and to gain an Opening. In order to take
Advantage of the Time and Light which you get by your Feint, you must
take care to avoid an Inconveniency into which many People fall, by
uncovering themselves in endeavouring to uncover the Adversary.

CHAP. XIV.

_Of cutting over the Point of the_ Sword.

In order to cut over the Point, within from without, the Wrist must be
turned towards _Tierce_, which gives it a swifter Motion. When your
Point is over your Adversary's, you must turn the Wrist in _Quart_,
pushing with your Fort to his Feeble: Though this is a regular Way of
cutting, what is most essential to perfect the Thrust is wanting, that
is to say, the Motion that should precede it, which is commonly a
Half-thrust or Feint, by which, two Advantages are gained: First you
discompose your Adversary, and secondly, your Thrust is swifter, being
by so much the more vigorous, as the Motion previous thereto is so. At
the Time you make a Half-thrust or Feint, you must make a little Beat
with the Foot, bearing back the Body to break your Adversary's Measure.

The Cut from the Inside to the Outside, has commonly more Success than
that from the Outside to the Inside, the Adversary going more readily to
his Parade on