The subdivision so ordered receives the words (as before) “_unfix bayonets_,” “trail arms,” “quick march,” “from the centre extend,” and proceeds to its extended line, the men of the other subdivision fall into their proper places in line two deep as the support. Word of Command, “FORM SQUARE;” or Bugle ....... “ALARM,” “ASSEMBLY.” The formation commenced as before, but the enemy being too near to allow of its completion, the order is given— Word of Command, “RALLYING SQUARES;” or, Bugle ....... “DOUBLE QUICK:” upon which the support clubs into a solid mass, facing outwards on all sides; and with all skirmishers the “officers, exercising most actively their intelligence, in proper numbers and at proper distances, hold up their swords or caps, and the men rush round them into masses of defence.”—(See “The Essentials,” art. VII.) ADVANCED AND REAR GUARDS. An advanced guard, on a road on the line of march, consists of _a large reserve_, _a small reserve_, _a support_ and _skirmishers_. The _first_ of these, according to the “Field Exercise of the Army,” may be _one subdivision_, about five hundred yards in advance of the head of the main column; the _second, a complete section_, two hundred yards further on; and the _third_, one hundred yards more in advance, _the remaining section_ of the company, throwing out one hundred yards again to its front a double file of skirmishers on the road, and a double file (if the strength of the section admits of so many) obliquely to each flank. It is of course of the highest importance that this formation, in the whole of its progress, (maintained frequently through a long day’s march, in thick weather, and through intricate roads,) should be preserved in perfect unity by links of ocular connexion. No one portion of it should ever be, for many minutes at least, unseen by some other portion. For this reason, the distances of separation must vary with the hour of the day, the nature of the country, and the state of the weather, and one or two files of communication should remain midway between the several detachments. The ordinary mode of forming an advanced guard of course is, for the body composing it to proceed along the intended road, dropping its different portions and files of communication as they successively attain their relative distances. A rear guard is an advanced guard faced to its proper rear. The foregoing details of the common rules and practice of Light Infantry drill are susceptible of being extended into a very wide range of field application. Upon this subject, much has already been advanced in the Ist, VIth, VIIth and VIIIth Articles of “The Essentials of Good Skirmishing.” Bugle Sounds [Illustration: No. I. _Extend._] [Illustration: No. II. _Close._] [Illustration: No. II. _Advance._] [Illustration: No. IV. _Halt._] [Illustration: No. V. _Fire._]