Chapter 2 — Surrounded in a Narrow Street
Surrounded on Both Sides in a Very Narrow Street
Source Text
When in a narrow street, surrounded on both sides, if it will be such that you cannot play tajos or reveses in it, put your back against one of those walls. Turning the montante at the wrist so that it is above the crook of the left elbow of the left arm, which remains withdrawn to the chest, put the right foot to the left side with much speed, and at the same time extend the arms, giving a nails-up thrust to those on that side. Just as the thrust is given with the foot put in and the back against the other wall, turn the point of the montante in the air, bending at the wrist, above the left arm. In the manner given above, put in the right foot with a nails-up thrust to those on the right side, ending with your back on the other wall, in a manner that putting in the foot, withdrawing the thrust, placing the montante above the arm, and committing the thrust all have to be made in one step and one time.
If it is necessary to retreat, when you put in the foot and leg, put it in suddenly, giving a jump to the side to which you have to leave, which should be the side where you see more weakness. Do this step continually until retreating, and to those on the other side, put in the foot and leg with the ordinary step, only using it for as long as the battle lasts. This rule is practiced in a continuous motion, giving the thrusts, and certainly I want to point out the faults that it has, as they will be noticed in good judgment. If a thrust is thrown to the floor, and another in the air, giving it a good beginning and bad ending, it should indeed be done by the steps and order of the beginning.
Summary
In a narrow street where you are surrounded on both sides and cannot use cuts (tajos or reveses), position yourself with your back against one wall. Hold the montante above the crook of your left elbow, with your left arm withdrawn to your chest. Quickly move your right foot to the left side and extend your arms to deliver a nails-up thrust to the opponents on that side. Immediately after, turn the montante's point in the air, rotating it above your left arm, and deliver a nails-up thrust to those on the right side as you move your right foot and back to the opposite wall. This entire sequence — moving the foot, withdrawing the thrust, positioning the montante, and delivering the next thrust — should be done in one fluid motion.
If you need to retreat, suddenly move your foot and leg, jumping to the side with the most weakness. Continue this step repeatedly until you can safely retreat, while using regular steps for the duration of the battle. The rule requires continuous motion with thrusts, but it has some faults: if a thrust is directed too low or too high, it can start well but end poorly. The proper technique involves following the steps and order from the beginning.
Gangway of a Galley
Source Text
The same rule will be used in a gangway of a galley, the slave benches becoming the "walls" that are dealt with in the beginning of the rule, but this is understood as the opponents being in control of the stern and bow. Being at one of those, it is enough to attack them with nails-down and nails-up thrusts, whichever will cover better according to his sense, putting in the foot and taking it back.
Summary
The same rule applies when fighting in the narrow gangway of a galley, with the slave benches acting as the "walls." This scenario assumes that the opponents control both the stern and bow of the galley. In this case, position yourself at one end (either stern or bow) and attack the opponents with nails-down and nails-up thrusts, depending on which offers better coverage. As you execute the thrusts, you should advance by stepping forward and then retreat by taking the foot back, maintaining a fluid motion.
Attacked on One Side
Source Text
The same can be used in a narrow street when you are attacked on only one side of it.