XI. and XII. The slanting groin or thigh-cuts, diagonally from downwards upwards; in fact, the reverse of the shoulder-cuts (Nos. 4 and 3 of the ‘Exercise,’ and the _brisés_ of the _Manuel_). In these diagonal Moulinets, the elbow must not be bent; the hand should deviate as little as possible from the directing line under pain of dangerous exposure; and the two movements should follow each other without a break. Whenever the recruit fails to carry the edge well forward in making the attack, he should be practised slowly and repeatedly in combining the opposites, as Head-cut (No. 1) and Thigh-cut (No. 12), Head-cut (No. 2) and Thigh-cut (No. 11), and so forth. The instructor must see that the edge leads on to the respective lines of the Target, the point being darted out at the end of each cut. The Cuts will be practised first in No. 2 “Second Position” (Guard), and afterwards in No. 2 “Third Position” (Lunge). [Illustration: Prime, or Hanging Guard.] § 4. _The Engaging Guards, or Engagements._ As the ‘Infantry Sword Exercise’ has a deficiency of Cuts, so it has a superfluity of “Engaging Guards.” I have already expressed my opinion concerning the Guard (p. 18 of 1874) popularly called the “Hanging Guard.” Even with the best position, the head erect and the eyes looking straight and not upwards, it is utterly faulty; it displaces the arm and the sword, and, as no serious attack can be made directly from it, it necessitates a movement entailing a considerable amount of exposure. It is now chiefly confined to students’ duels with the German Schläger, wherein slitting the opposing nose, which can be done with a mere jerk upwards, is the swordsman’s highest aim and ambition. The “Engaging Guards” are thus reduced to the two following:-- Tierce (or outside) Guard; defending the outer lines, arm, shoulder, back, and flank. The recruit having assumed the “Second Position” (No. 2), brings the pommel of his sword to the centre of his right breast; opposes the point to the adversary’s right eye; extends his right arm with an easy bend of the elbow; inclines the wrist with the knuckles upwards to his own right, so as to cover himself in case of a straight thrust, and places his left hand upon his left flank with the fingers to the front and the thumb to the rear. In Tierce of course the edge of the sword is to the right or outside. [Illustration: Engaging Guard in Tierce (Outside).] Carte (or Inside) Guard. This movement defends the inner lines, chest and stomach; the knuckles are turned down; the opposition is made to the left, and the edge is carried in the same direction. [Illustration: Engaging Guard in Carte (Inside).]