57.  The adversary may attempt a greater extension in the thrust and lunge by quitting the grasp of his piece with the left hand and advancing the right as far as possible.  When this is done, a sharp parry may cause him to lose control of his rifle, leaving him exposed to a counter attack, which should follow promptly.

58.  Against odds a small number of men can fight to best advantage by grouping themselves so as to prevent their being attacked from behind.

59.  In fighting a mounted man armed with a saber every effort must be made to get on his near or left side, because here his reach is much shorter and his parries much weaker.  If not possible to disable such an enemy, attack his horse and then, renew the attack on the horseman.

60.  In receiving night attacks the assailant’s movements can be best observed from the kneeling or prone position, as his approach generally brings him against the sky line.  When he arrives within attacking distance rise quickly and lunge well forward at the middle of his body.

VI.  FENCING EXERCISES.

61.  Fencing exercises in two lines consist of combinations of thrusts, parries, and foot movements executed at command or at will, the opponent replying with suitable parries and returns.

62.  The instructor will inspect the entire fencing equipment before the exercise begins and fissure himself that everything is in such condition as will prevent accidents.

63.  The men equip themselves and form in two lines at the order, facing each other, with intervals of about 4 paces between files and a distance of about 2 paces between lines.  One line is designated as number 1; the other, number 2.  Also as attack and defense.

64.  The opponents being at the order facing each other, the instructor commands:  SALUTE.

Each man, with eyes on his opponent, carries the left hand smartly to the right side, palm of the hand down, thumb and fingers extended and joined, forearm horizontal, forefinger touching the bayonet.  (Two.) Drop the arm smartly by the side.

This salute is the fencing salute.

All fencing exercises and all fencing at will between individuals will begin and terminate with the formal courtesy of the fencing salute.

65.  After the fencing salute has been rendered the instructor commands:  1. Fencingexercise_, 2.  GUARD.

At the command GUARD each man comes to the position of guard, heretofore defined, bayonets crossed, each man’s bayonet bearing lightly to the right against the corresponding portion of the opponent’s bayonet.  This position is known as the ENGAGE or ENGAGE RIGHT.

66.  Being at the ENGAGE RIGHT:  ENGAGE LEFT.

The attack drops the point of his bayonet quickly until clear of his opponent’s rifle and describes a semicircle with it upward and to the right; bayonets are crossed similarly as in the engaged position, each man’s bayonet bearing lightly to the left against the corresponding portion of the opponent’s bayonet.