In _open ground_ the skirmishers drop on the right knee; in _intersected ground they make the best of_ any near cover (see “the Essentials,” Article IV.) Front rank men fire, (even on the drill field carefully covering an object—“Essentials” II.;) and when these have nearly re-loaded, the rear rank men give their fire in like manner, and so on. Front rank load “as front rank,” muzzles to the front; rear rank “as rear rank,” muzzles to the rear. “ADVANCE.” The front rank dashes forward _fifty_ paces at the “double quick,” drops on the knee or makes the best of cover, and fires (as the rear rank by that time will have loaded). The rear rank then springs forward to _fifty_ paces in advance of the front rank, repeating the same practice, and so on, alternately. The centre file of direction giving in _a general manner_ the time of starting and the distance. “SINGLE LINE ADVANCING.” “COMMON QUICK.” (The “cease firing” not having been ordered). The rank which is loaded steps up to one pace in front of the rank that is loading, both advance together loading and firing _as they move on_; the man who has fired stepping a little to the left, to allow his comrade to pass in front of him. (In this mode of “firing” in “single line” “advancing,” there can be no running or kneeling. It may be especially useful against small and distant bodies of cavalry.) The skirmishers may “TAKE GROUND TO THE RIGHT” OR “LEFT,” in “SINGLE LINE FIRING” to the front, on the same principle. “ALTERNATE RANKS.” The front rank dashes forward fifty paces _as before, all kneeling again at the halts_. “RETIRE.” The rank which happens to be in front gives its fire, and retires at the “double quick” to thirty paces in rear of the rank that is loading, and so on successively; with the simple difference of principle from firing advancing, that, whereas, while advances under accurate fire from long ranges cannot be too rapid, with due regard to the preservation of physical strength and correct firing, retreats cannot be too slow and dogged, with due regard to the danger of being pressed _too_ closely by the enemy. _Fifty_ paces of interval are therefore fixed as the “ordinary rule” for the advance, and only _thirty_ for the retreat. “CEASE FIRING.” After this order, not one shot. All finish loading, the rank which happens to be in front stands up, “arms at the order;” the rank which happens to be in rear moves forward and joins it, taking up the same position. “_To the Centre, Close._”