125. The normal interval between skirmishers is one-half pace, resulting practically in one man per yard of front. The front of a squad thus deployed as skirmishers is about 10 paces. _To Increase or Diminish Intervals._ 126. If assembled, and it is desired to deploy at greater than the normal interval; or if deployed, and it is desired to increase or decrease the interval: 1. _As skirmishers, (so many) paces_, 2. _MARCH_. Intervals are taken at the indicated number of paces. If already deployed, the men move by the flank toward or away from the guide. _The Assembly._ 127. Being deployed: 1. _Assemble_, 2. _MARCH_. The men move toward the corporal and form in their proper places. If the corporal continues to advance, the men move in double time, form, and follow him. The assembly while marching to the rear is not executed. _Kneeling and Lying Down._ 128. If standing: _KNEEL_. Half face to the right; carry the right toe about 1 foot to the left rear of the left heel; kneel on right knee, sitting as nearly as possible on the right heel; left forearm across left thigh; piece remains in position of order arms, right hand grasping it above the lower band. 129. If standing or kneeling: _LIE DOWN_. Kneel, but with right knee against left heel; carry back the left foot and lie flat on the belly, inclining body about 35 deg. to the right; piece horizontal, barrel up, muzzle off the ground and pointed to the front; elbows on the ground; left hand at the balance, right hand grasping the small of the stock opposite the neck. This is the position of order arms, lying down. 130. If kneeling or lying down: _RISE_. If kneeling, stand up, faced to the front, on the ground marked by the left heel. If lying down, raise body on both knees; stand up, faced to the front, on the ground marked by the knees. 131. If lying down: _KNEEL_. Raise the body on both knees; take the position of kneel. 132. In double rank, the positions of kneeling and lying down are ordinarily used only for the better utilization of cover. When deployed as skirmishers, a sitting position may be taken in lieu of the position kneeling. _LOADINGS AND FIRINGS._ 133. The commands for loading and firing are the same whether standing, kneeling, or lying down. The firings are always executed at a halt. When kneeling or lying down in double rank, the rear rank does not load, aim, or fire. The instruction in firing will be preceded by a command for loading. Loadings are executed in line and skirmish line only. 134. Pieces having been ordered loaded are kept loaded without command until the command _unload_, or _inspection arms_, fresh clips being inserted when the magazine is exhausted.