though some there are who refuse to use it,
yet it is the safest of all.

_The Counter caveating Parade_, &c.

When you observe your Adversaries Thrust coming home within your Sword,
then immediately slope your Point, and bring it up again with a quick
Motion on the other side of your Adversaries, and Parie his Thrust
without your Sword, that he intended, to give within your Sword, holding
your Nails neither in Terce nor in Quart, but so hold them as when you
presented your Sword; and observe further to do this, Parade with a
Spring, and if you perceive he is about to give in his Thrust without
your Sword, instantly slope your Point, and bring it up again with a
quick Motion upon the inside of his Sword, and so Parie his Thrust, that
was to be given without your Sword, within your Sword, and if you do
this very quick you will rarely be hit with a home Thrust; and in this
Parade there is great advantage, because by it all Feints, which in
other Parades cannot be so well noted or shunned, are by this baffled
and Confounded.

Lessons Offensive. 1. _Of Approaching or Advancing._

Observe here; (when you are standing to your Guard, and your Adversary
without your measure, so that without Approaching you cannot reach him)
that you lift your Right-foot about a Foot Forward, and presently let
your Left-foot follow close by the Ground, your Left-knee a little
bowed, taking notice at the end of every step, that your Feet be at the
same equal distance as when you first presented your Sword, or if in any
thing you vary, let it be in bringing them something nearer; and so
your Elong will come as much nearer to your Adversary as you brought
your Left-foot nearer to your Right: Always then remember to redouble
this Step, or any other that is to be used on this Occasion till you
think your Adversary is within your measure. This step must be always
made on plain Ground, lest you Trip and fall, which is very dangerous;
but if it be on rugged uneven Ground, there is another suitable to it,
called the Double Step, after this manner;

In the first place throw your Left-foot before your Right, (which may be
done, by raising your Body a little on your Right-foot) about a Foot,
then bring your Right-foot forward again, as far before your Left, as
when you presented your Sword; these two Motions must be done
immediately after the other, or else doing of this Step will appear
ungraceful; and here you must keep a thin Body as possible, b