按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
43
… Page 44…
On Horsemanship
defence。 To come to weapons of offence； we recommend the sabre rather
than the straight sword；＇9＇ since from the vantage…ground of the horse's
position the curved blade will descend with greater force than the ordinary
weapon。
＇9＇ The ｛makhaira｝ （or ｛kopis｝）； Persian fashion； rather than the
｛xephos｝。 〃Cyrop。〃 I。 ii。 13。
Again； in place of the long reed spear； which is apt to be weak and
awkward to carry； we would substitute two darts of cornel…wood；＇10＇ the
one of which the skilful horseman can let fly； and still ply the one reserved
in all directions； forwards； backwards；＇11＇ and obliquely； add to that； these
smaller weapons are not only stronger than the spear but far more
manageable。
＇10＇ For these reforms； the result of the author's Asiatic experiences
perhaps； cf。 〃Hell。〃 III。 iv。 14； 〃Anab。〃 I。 viii。 3； 〃Cyrop。〃 I。 ii。 9。
＇11＇ Reading ｛eis toupisthen｝ after Leoncl。
As regards range of discharge in shooting we are in favour of the
longest possible； as giving more time to rally＇12＇ and transfer the second
javelin to the right hand。 And here we will state shortly the most effective
method of hurling the javelin。 The horseman should throw forward his left
side； while drawing back his right； then rising bodily from the thighs； he
should let fly the missile with the point slightly upwards。 The dart so
discharged will carry with the greatest force and to the farthest distance；
we may add； too； with the truest aim； if at the moment of discharge the
lance be directed steadily on the object aimed at。＇13＇
＇12＇ Al。 〃to turn right…about。〃
＇13＇ 〃If the lance is steadily eyeing the mark at the instant of
discharge。〃
This treatise； consisting of notes and suggestions； lessons and
exercises suited to a private individual； must come to a conclusion； the
theory and practice of the matter suited to a cavalry commander will be
found developed in the companion treatise。＇14＇
＇14＇ In reference to 〃The Cavalry General〃； or 〃Hipparch。〃
44
… Page 45…
On Horsemanship
45