[Illustration: Are you ready or: I am ready] Are you ready? or I am ready. Raise the hand, fingers extended and joined, palm toward the person addressed. [Illustration: Commence Firing] Commence firing. Move the arm extended in full length, hand palm down, several times through a horizontal arc in front of the body. Fire faster. Execute rapidly the signal "Commence firing." Fire slower. Execute slowly the signal "Commence firing." [Illustration: To swing cone of fire to right] Swing the cone of fire to the right, or left. Extend the arm in full length to the front, palm to the right (left); swing the arm to right (left), and point in the direction of the new target. Fix bayonet. Simulate the movement of the right hand in "Fix bayonet." [Illustration: Suspend firing. For Cease firing--Swing arm up and down several times.] Suspend firing. Raise and hold the forearm steadily in a horizontal position in front of the forehead, palm of the hand to the front. Cease firing. Raise the forearm as in suspend firing and swing it up and down several times in front of the face. [Illustration: Platoon] Platoon. Extend the arm horizontally toward the platoon leader; describe small circles with the hand. [Illustration: Squad] Squad. Extend the arm horizontally toward the platoon leader; swing the hand up and down from the wrist. Rush. Same as double time. Use of the platoon and squad signals. The signals platoon and squad are intended primarily for communication between the captain and his platoon leaders. The signal platoon or squad indicates that the platoon commander is to cause the signal which follows to be executed by platoon or squad. You will observe that in no case is the right hand or the left hand specified. The officer may either face the company or have his back toward it. CHAPTER VII FIRST AID TO THE INJURED In the army, as in civilian life, you are very often your brother's keeper, as well as your own. Doctors cannot accompany a scout, a patrol, or the firing line. They are seldom present when a man falls overboard. When a soldier on the firing line is wounded, he may remain for several hours where he falls. He, or his comrade, bandages the wound. Suppose you are wounded, bitten by a snake, etc., what would you do? You may have to give a practical answer to these questions at some time during your life. This chapter tells you what to do and what not to do in case of the most frequent disabling accidents that may befall a soldier or a civilian. Ask your mother, father, older brothers, and sisters to read it. Part of it is for them. FIRST-AID PACKET Each soldier carries on his belt a first-aid packet. This packet contains two perfectly pure bandages and a couple of safety pins. It should be air tight. Examine yours every week and if the seal is defective, ask your captain for a new packet. CAUTIONS 1. Act quickly but quietly. Be calm and quiet. Don't lose your head. 2. Make the injured party sit or lie down.