You are a fencer, are you not ?" The Doctor laughed.

He was, in fact, a consummate MAITRE D'ARMES; and Captain Brentwood, before spoken of, no mean fencer, coming to Baroona on a visit, found that our friend could do exactly as he liked with him, to the Captain's great astonishment.

And Sam soon improved under his tuition, not indeed to the extent of being a master of the weapon; he was too large and loosely built for that; but, at all events, so far as to gain an upright and elastic carriage, and to learn the use of his limbs.
The Major issued an edict, giving the most positive orders against its infringement, that Sam should never mount a horse without his special leave and licence.

He taught him to ride, indeed, but would not give him much opportunity for practising it.

Once or twice a-week he would take him out, but seldom oftener.