The Cuts should be continuous, the regular succession always beginning from Carte or the Inside, that is, from the rear of the left shoulder. As in the “Moulinet,” the less the arm is bent and the sword-hand is moved from the line of direction (to the front), the greater is the value of the movement. The recruit, who must walk before he runs, should deliver the whole dozen in continuous sweep without pause, but at first very slowly, till, by the proper and timely use of the wrist, the Cuts lead into one another. The more advanced swordsman, whose pliability of strength is free from contractions and other vicious habits, should practise the series of twelve with increased rapidity till the blade whistles through the air. All the Cuts should be given strong, with the edge leading well forwards and with the arm extended to its utmost in the delivery. The following are the Twelve Cuts:-- I. and II. These Cuts are made, after falling into Tierce or Outside Guard, from above downwards at the opponent’s head. In No. I. the point, beginning as usual from the left shoulder (Carte), describes a full circle (“Inside Moulinet,” the _brisé à gauche_ of the French _Manuel_), the hand moving as little as possible so as to cover the body; the knuckles turned up and the blade passing close to the breast: it finishes by delivering a vertical Cut, with the “Feeble” close to the point, at the right half of the adversary’s crown. No. II., which follows without interruption, reverses the process; the knuckles are turned down and the blade sweeps past the right shoulder (_brisé à droite_); ending with the left half of the opponent’s head. The latter Cut is by far the more difficult to make without moving the hand, but it is good practice for “breaking” the wrist. III. and IV. The horizontal face-cuts, also beginning from the left (Carte), an invariable rule, and ending with the right, that is, at the adversary’s left cheek. The reason of this practice is to make the movement habitual to the recruit; cutting from left to right always causes less exposure of the inner wrist than cutting from right to left. V. and VI. The slanting shoulder-cuts, also from above downwards (Nos. 1 and 2, or rather 2 and 1, of the ‘Infantry Sword Exercise,’ pp. 14, 17, and the _Coups de Banderole_ of the _Manuel_); describing two diagonal Moulinets, first from left to right, and then from right to left. The sword again makes a double “Moulinet” with the edge downwards, and descends first upon the opponent’s right and then upon his left shoulder. VII. and VIII. The horizontal breast-cuts, parallel with the face-cuts, and, like them, delivered with the blade as horizontal as possible. IX. and X. The horizontal stomach-cuts, parallel with, and lower than, the breast-cuts.