I FENCED, PLEASE FORGIVE ME.

BEFORE YOU RING ASIO, THE POLICE OR WHATEVER, I learnt the noble art of SABRE FENCHING at St Mary’s Fencing School in Sydney, NSW, Sabre was my weapon of choice.

A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRELIMINARIES FOLLOWS;

Standing with one’s leading foot pointing at the opponent and your other foot at right angles, one addressed the assembled group. At about ten paces stood the antagonist with his seconds on either side, your seconds stood beside one. NOW are you ready for what follows?
You acknowledge and salute the fencing party thus; One held the saber in an upright position close to your face.

Pointing your saber downwards you addressed the opponents second on your left, he is the second on the right of the opponent, secondly you acknowledge the opponents second on your right, he is the second on the left of your opponent, right?, thirdly you address your own second on your left first and your second, you are on his left, next, right?.

Fourthly, one addresses the only person left, he is the one directly ahead, the one in the middle of his left and right seconds, you know that he is the one because he has a sword, you raise your saber to an upright position in front of your face then point the sharp end at his face and gallantly sweep it away making a “Zorro” sound.

And finally if he is still awake the unfortunate does likewise, now if you are left handed? Will I start again? I continued with this sport for some time and just like most things found other interests.

ALARMINGLY, I HAVE AN IDEA I MAY HAVE PLAGIARIZED, THESE CAN’T BE MY THOUGHTS!
Full story; (http://www.johnfarls.com/), BORN IN THE CITY 1.