"We have two officers accustomed to drill and marshal men, and these act as teachers here in the hall. The footmen practise with pike and sword. They are exercised with arquebus and crossbow in the park, and the mounted men are taught to manoeuvre and charge, so that, in case of need, we can show a good face against any body of troops of equal numbers. It is here I practise with my maitre d'armes, and with Montpace and Bourdon, our two officers. "Ah! Here is Charles, my maitre d'armes. "Charles, this is my cousin Philip, who will also be a pupil of yours while he remains here. "What do you say, Philip? Will we try a bout with blunted swords just now?" "With pleasure," Philip said. The art of fencing had not, at that time, reached the perfection it afterwards attained. The swords used were long and straight, and sharpened at both edges; and were used as much for cutting as thrusting. In single combat on foot, long daggers were generally held in the left hand, and were used for the purpose both of guarding and of striking at close quarters. They put on thick quilted doublets, and light helmets with visors. "Do you use a dagger, Philip?" "No, I have never seen one used in England. We are taught to guard with our swords, as well as to strike with them." "Monsieur has learned from English teachers?" the maitre d'armes asked. "I have had English teachers as well as French," Philip said. "We all learn the use of the sword in England; but my uncle, Monsieur Vaillant, has taken great pains in having me taught also by such French professors of arms as lived in Canterbury, or happened to pass through it; but I own that I prefer the English style of fighting. We generally stand upright to our work, equally poised on the two feet for advance or retreat; while you lean with the body far forward and the arm outstretched, which seems to me to cripple the movements." "Yes, but it puts the body out of harm's way," Francois said. "It is the arm's business to guard the body, Francois, and it is impossible to strike a downright blow when leaning so far forward." "We strike but little, nowadays, in single combat," the maitre d'armes said. "The point is more effective." "That is doubtless so, Maitre Charles," Philip agreed; "but I have not learned fencing for the sake of fighting duels, but to be able to take my part on a field of battle. The Spaniards are said to be masters of the straight sword, and yet they have been roughly used in the western seas by our sailors; who, methinks, always use the edge."