Fours may be counted at the halt or marching, mounted or dismounted, in line or in column of twos or troopers. In counting fours in column of twos or troopers the elements count off successively from front to rear in the column and from right to left in each two. =Eyes right= is not executed when counting fours from column of twos or troopers.

TO TAKE INTERVALS AND DISTANCES.

=85.= Being in line at a halt: 1. =Take intervals, to the right (left)=, 2. =MARCH=, 3. =Squad=, 4. =HALT.=

At the command =march=, all face to the right and the leading trooper steps off; the other men step off in succession, each following the preceding trooper at four paces.

At the command =halt=, given when all have their intervals, all halt and face to the front.

=86.= Being at intervals, to a.s.semble the squad: 1. =a.s.semble to the right (left)=, 2. =MARCH.= The trooper on the right stands fast. The other troopers face to the right, close by the shortest line and face to the front.

=87.= Being in line at a halt and fours having been counted: 1. =Take distance=, 2. =MARCH=, 3. =Squad=, 4. =HALT.=

At the command =march=, No. 1 moves straight to the front; Nos. 2, 3, and 4 in the order named, move straight to the front, each stepping off so as to follow the preceding man at 4 paces. The command halt is given when all have their distances.

If there be more than one No. 1, all the Nos. 1 move forward together, guiding on the right trooper. The same principle applies to the other numbers.

=88.= The normal interval and distance of 4 paces indicated, respectively, in pars. 34 and 36, may be increased or diminished by adding to the corresponding preparatory command the indication of the interval or distance desired; thus: 1. =Take interval to the right at 1 pace=, 2. =MARCH=, etc.; 1. =Take distance, at 2 paces=, 2. =MARCH=, etc.

=89.= Being at distances, to a.s.semble the squad: 1. =a.s.semble=, 2.

=MARCH.=

No. 1 of the front rank stands fast; the other numbers move forward to their proper places in line.

INDIVIDUAL INSTRUCTION WITH ARMS.

MANUAL OF THE RIFLE.

=90.= When the recruit has made fair progress in the instruction without arms, including that required by par. 53, he is taught the manual of arms. Instruction without arms and that with arms alternate.

=91.= The following rules govern the carrying of the rifle:

=First.= The rifle is not carried with cartridges in either the chamber or the magazine except when specifically ordered. When so loaded, or supposed to be loaded, it is habitually carried locked; that is, with the =safety lock= turned to the "safe." At all other times it is carried unlocked, with the trigger pulled.

=Second.= Whenever troops are formed under arms, rifles are immediately inspected at the commands: 1. =Inspection=, 2. =ARMS=; 3.

=Order (right shoulder, port)=, 4. =ARMS.=

A. similar inspection is made immediately before dismissal.

If cartridges are found in the chamber or magazine they are removed and placed in the belt.

=Third.= The cut-off is kept turned "off" except when cartridges are actually used.

=Fourth.= =Fall in= is executed with the rifle at the order arms.

=Fall out=, =rest=, and =at ease= are executed as without arms. On resuming =attention= the position of order arms is taken.

=Fifth.= If at the order, unless otherwise prescribed, the rifle is brought to the right shoulder at the command =march=, the three motions corresponding with the first three steps. Movements may be executed at =the trail= by prefacing the preparatory command with the words =at trail=, as, 1. =At trail=, =forward=, 2. =MARCH=; the trail is taken at the command =march=.

When the facings, alignments, open and close ranks, taking interval, and a.s.semblings are executed from the order, raise the rifle to the trail while in motion and resume the order on halting.

=Sixth.= The rifle is brought to the order on halting. The execution of the order begins when the halt is completed.

=Seventh.= A disengaged hand in double time is held as when without arms.

=92.= The following rules govern the execution of the manual of arms:

=First.= In all positions of the left hand at the balance (center of gravity) the thumb clasps the rifle; the sling is included in the grasp of the hand. (Figs. 6, 12.)

=Second.= In all positions of the rifle "diagonally across the body"

the position of the rifle, left arm, and hand are the same as in port arms. (Fig. 6.)

=Third.= In resuming the order from any position in the manual, the motion next to the last concludes with the b.u.t.t of the rifle about 3 inches from the ground, barrel to the rear, the left hand above and near the right, steadying the rifle, fingers extended and joined, forearm and wrist straight and inclining downward, all fingers of the right hand grasping the rifle. To complete the order, lower the rifle gently to the ground with the right hand, drop the left quickly by the side, and take the position of order arms. (Fig. 2.)

Allowing the rifle to drop through the right hand to the ground, or other similar abuse of the arm to produce effect in executing the manual, is prohibited.

=Fourth.= The cadence of the motions is that of quick time; the recruits are first required to give their whole attention to the details of the motions, the cadence being gradually acquired as they become accustomed to handling their rifles.

=Fifth.= The manual is taught at a halt and the movements are for the purpose of instruction, divided into motions and executed in detail; in this case the command of =execution= determines the prompt execution of the first motion, and the commands, =two=, =three=, =four=, that of the other motions.

To execute the movements in detail, the instructor first cautions: =By the numbers=; all movement divided into motions are then executed as above explained until he cautions: =Without the numbers=; or commands movements other than those in the manual of arms.

=Sixth.= Whenever circ.u.mstances require, the regular positions of the manual of arms and the firings may be ordered without regard to the previous position of the rifle.

Under exceptional conditions of weather or fatigue the rifle may be carried in any manner directed.

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 2, par. 92.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 3, par. 93.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 4, par. 93.]

=93.= =Position of order arms, standing=: The b.u.t.t rests evenly on the ground, barrel to the rear, toe of the b.u.t.t on a line with toe of, and touching, the right shoe, arms and hands hanging naturally, right hand holding the rifle between the thumb and fingers.

=94.= =Being at order arms=: 1. =Present=, 2. =ARMS.=

With the right hand carry the rifle in front of the center of the body, barrel to the rear and vertical, grasp it with the left hand at the balance, forearm horizontal and resting against the body. (=TWO=) Grasp the small of the stock with the right hand. (Fig. 5.)

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 5, par. 94.]

=95.= =Being at order arms=: 1. =Port=, 2. =ARMS.=

With the right hand raise and throw the rifle diagonally across the body, grasp it smartly with both hands; the right, palm down, at the small of the stock; the left, palm up, at the balance; barrel up, sloping to the left and crossing opposite the junction of the neck with the left shoulder; right forearm horizontal; left forearm resting against the body; the rifle in a vertical plane parallel to the front.

(Fig. 6.)

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 6, par. 95.]