Saxon, here, used to show us some brave schwertspielerei, but he hath not the weight for such smashing blows as this.' 'My eye is still true and my hand firm, though both are perhaps a trifle the worse for want of use,' said Saxon, only too glad at the chance of drawing the eyes of the chiefs upon him.

'At backsword, sword and dagger, sword and buckler, single falchion and case of falchions, mine old challenge still holds good against any comer, save only my brother Quartus, who plays as well as I do, but hath an extra half-inch in reach which gives him the vantage.' 'I studied sword-play under Signor Contarini of Paris,' said Lord Grey.
'Who was your master ?' 'I have studied, my lord, under Signer Stern Necessity of Europe,' quoth Saxon.

'For five-and-thirty years my life has depended from day to day upon being able to cover myself with this slip of steel.

Here is a small trick which showeth some nicety of eye: to throw this ring to the ceiling and catch it upon a rapier point.

It seems simple, perchance, and yet is only to be attained by some practice.' 'Simple!' cried Wade the lawyer, a square-faced, bold-eyed man.