Lesson Nine
DE LOS GOLPES
The tiradores are placed one in front of the other with navajas in hand, and trying to wound their adversary, they commence with moving their hands, or that is their heirros, with the aid of the movements of the feet, which are most essencial for giving the golpes.
There are several classes of golpes that can result from the different positions and ways of striking with the navaja; and they recieve distinct denomination according to the manner and place they are given, although all are placed below the general categories of golpes and puñaladas.
Before we start we will say that the body of the diestro is divided into two parts which are called parte alta and parte baja.
By parte alta we mean all the half of the body from the waist to the top of the head.
By parte baja we mean all the half of the body from the waist to the feet.
So that the golpes are altos or bajos according to wether they are given in the parte alta or in the parte baja.
If the puñal or moj, as say the jitanos, is thrust into the belly, then this technique is called atracar, and the golpe itself is called viaje; thus it is said among the barateros "vamos echar un viaje" for "vamos reñir darnos una puñalada*."
When one of the tiradores presses himself too much upon his adversary, he can be very easily wounded with only a quick extension of the arm and presentation of the point of the navaja most times in the parte alta, whose golpe recieves the name of floretazo, and nothing could be more appropriate for its similarity to the thrust given with the florete under equal circumstances, as seen in the following figures.
The floretazo is not always given in the parte alta, since there is a technique, which occupies first place among the more secure and lethal, which requires this same golpe in the center of the parte baja;-the method of making it will be discussed at an opportune moment.
The jabeque or chirlo is the golpe given to the face, which imprints in it a seal of ignominy towards the barateros; since in effect, of all the golpes which in a fight the diestro may recieve, there is no other that with more truth manifests weak destreza, and reveals the disregard with which he has treated his opponent.
The act of wounding in the face is itself called enfilar.
The golpe given in the parte alta and behind the side and over the shoulders, is called desjarretazo; and is one of those which prove the skill of he who strikes it, sometimes opening with a wide wound, the vertebral column, vulgarly known as as espinazo. It is mortal, and is generaly given in the jiros.
By plumada is meant the golpe or puñalada struck from right to left generaly describing a curve.
The golpe struck with the hand turned towards the outside and from left to right is called revs.
The plumada and the revs according to the previous explanation are understood to be struck with the right hand; since if they come from the left hand, the plumada is from left to right, and the revs is from right to left.
*("we are going to strike off on a journey" as a way of saying
"we are going to fight or give a stab."
viaje=journey
puñalada=thrust or stab)