the proper action is taken. (43)

=1606.= Officers of the guard will remain constantly with their
guards, except while visiting patrols or necessarily engaged elsewhere
in the performance of their duties. The commanding officer will allow
a reasonable time for meals. (44)

=1607.= A commander of a guard leaving his post for any purpose will
inform the next in command of his destination and probable time of
return. (45)

=1608.= Except in emergencies, the commander of the guard may divide
the night with the next in command, but retains his responsibility;
the one on watch must be constantly on the alert. (46)

=1609.= When any alarm is raised in camp or garrison, the guard will
be formed immediately. (Par. 1793.) If the case be serious, the proper
call will be sounded, and the commander of the guard will cause the
commanding officer and the officer of the day to be at once notified.
(47)

=1610.= If a sentinel calls: "=The Guard=," the commander of the guard
will at once send a patrol to the sentinel's post. If the danger be
great, in which case the sentinel will discharge his piece, the patrol
will be as strong as possible. (48)

=1611.= When practicable, there should always be an officer or
noncommissioned officer and two privates of the guard at the
guardhouse, in addition to the sentinels there on post. (49)

=1612.= Between reveille and retreat, when the guard had been turned
out for any person entitled to the compliment (See Pars. 1782 and
1784), the commander of the guard, if an officer, will receive the
report of the sergeant, returning the salute of the later with the
right hand. He will then draw his saber, and place himself two paces
in front of the center of the guard. When the person for whom the
guard has been turned out approaches, he faces his guard and commands:
=1. Present, 2. ARMS=; faces to the front and salutes. When his salute
is acknowledged he resumes the carry, faces about, and commands: =1.
Order, 2. ARMS=; and faces to the front.

If it be an officer entitled to inspect the guard, after saluting and
before bringing his guard to an order, the officer of the guard
reports: "=Sir, all present or accounted for="; or, "=Sir, (so and so)
is absent="; or, if the roll call has been omitted: "=Sir, the guard
is formed=," except that at guard mounting the commanders of the
guards present their guards and salute without making any report.

Between retreat and reveille, the commander of the gua