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Rule 7 — To Guard Goods and Cloak

Source Text

If some person is walking with an important load of goods, or in whatever manner it becomes necessary to defend an abundance of goods while being attacked by many, he places the load on the floor. Then, being as close as possible, the left foot placed next to it, launching the right foot to the side, he cuts a tajo, extending the arms and body as much as he can. As soon as the tajo runs, he lifts the left foot and puts it more in front, close to the thing he is guarding, placing the right as described in the manner above. With this step, he makes three tajos, with which he goes completely around the goods. When it cannot be circled with three tajos, he makes one more step afterward, and at the same time another tajo, so that there are four steps and four tajos, and no more. Then he turns with a thrust in a continuous motion over the left foot, taking the right foot and placing it close to that which is guarded, as the left had been. The left is put in with a reves, lifting the right then and putting it more forward, close to the goods. The left sets off in front with another reves, launching it out as much as he can, with the body and all. With this step, he encircles his goods with three steps and three blows of reves, and when he cannot, there may be four, but no more. Those made, he turns, arming thrusts nails-down or -up over the right foot, turns to put the left foot close to the goods, and does the same step and tajos done at the beginning. Finished, he returns with the second step of reves and does it as many times as necessary in the battle.

This rule can be done in guarding a cloak and in guarding a lady, when one will be surrounded, but make the person sit down.

Summary

To defend an important load of goods while being attacked by many:

  1. Place the load on the ground and stand as close as possible to it, with your left foot next to the load.
  2. Begin with a tajo: Launch your right foot to the side and extend your arms and body to cut a tajo. As soon as the tajo is executed, lift your left foot and place it further forward, closer to the goods, then position the right foot similarly.
  3. Make three tajos as you circle around the goods, moving your feet and body as described. If three tajos aren't enough to fully circle the goods, make one more step and tajo, totaling four.
  4. Turn with a thrust: After completing the tajos, turn over your left foot, placing your right foot close to the goods, and make another thrust. Then, execute a reves by lifting your right foot and placing it more forward, close to the goods. The left foot follows with another reves, extending as much as possible with your body.
  5. Encircle with reveses: Use three steps and three reveses to encircle the goods. If three aren't enough, make a fourth step and reves, but no more.
  6. Alternate between tajos and reveses: After completing the reveses, turn again, arm thrusts (nails-down or nails-up) over your right foot, and repeat the tajo and reves steps as necessary to defend the goods.

This technique can also be used to guard a cloak or protect a lady. In such cases, have the person sit down for safety while you defend them.