behind the Right, a little farther outwards,
which gives the Body almost the Figure of a Left-handed Man; having
turned about a Quarter round, the Body in this Posture must necessarily
be in Disorder. _See the 10th Plate_.

Having finished these Motions, if you find, for want of the Enemy's
having suficiently abandoned himself, that you have not an Opportunity
of Joining, you must without stirring the Body or Left-foot, return
with your Sword on the Enemy's, and from his Sword to his Body, and from
the Body to the Sword, as often as you shall see proper, which may be
easily done, your Thrusts being but of small Extension, as well by
reason of the Action of the Enemy coming to you, as by the Advancement
of the Volt; you should, at the same time, oppose with the Left-hand, to
avoid the Thrusts that the Enemy might make upon the Time of yours; by
this means you may easily come to Guard again, or if he retires you may
push at him, the Left-foot by it's Advancement having given a great
Advantage to your Thrust, and if instead of retiring, he has a mind to
join, you must prevent him by seizing the Guard of his Sword, presenting
your Point to him.

If in an Assault the Foil be entangled in the Shirt or elsewhere, or
that in Battle the Sword be too far entered, or that the Enemy lay hold
on the Blade; in these Cases you must shift your Sword to the other
Hand, which is done after the Volt, advancing your Right-foot, taking
hold of your Blade with the Left-hand about four inches from the Guard,
whilst with the Right you seize his Guard, and drawing back your Sword
you present him the Point.

Tho' Volting is not best in Combat, yet it may on some Occasions be
necessary, besides it is my Business to speak of them, at the same time
advising that 'tis much better to make use of Parades and Risposts, than
of Time of what Sort soever.

The Joining on a Volt is the same as on passing in _Quarte_.

CHAP. XVIII.

_Of Joining or seizing the_ Sword.

You may join after having parryed any Thrust or Pass whatever, as also
after having pushed, passed, or volted in whatever Figure, or on
whatever Side it may be, especially when the Enemy abandons himself, or
you abandon yourself: If the Enemy abandons himself by a Lunge or Pass;
in case of the first, you must close the Measure in parrying, seizing at
the same time the Guard of his Sword with your Left-hand and carrying
the Right-foot back present him the Point; and in case of a