d celerity of the
movements will be carefully watched by the instructor, with a view to
the correction of faulty execution.

95. It is not intended to restrict the number of movements, but to
leave to the discretion of company commanders and the ingenuity of
instructors the selection of such other exercises as accord with the
object of the drill.

VII. FENCING AT WILL.

96. As satisfactory progress is made the instructor will proceed to
the exercises at will, by which is meant assaults between two men,
each endeavoring to hit the other and to avoid being hit himself.
Fencing at will should not be allowed to degenerate into random
attacks and defenses.

97. The instructor can supervise but one pair of combatants at a time.
Frequent changes should be made so that the men may learn different
methods of attack and defense from each other.

98. The contest should begin with simple, careful movements, with a
view to forming a correct opinion of the adversary; afterwards
everything will depend on coolness, rapid and correct execution of the
movements and quick perception of the adversary's intentions.

99. Continual retreat from the adversary's attack and frequent dodging
to escape attacks should be avoided. The offensive should be
continually encouraged.

100. In fencing at will, when no commands are given, opponents facing
each other at the position of order arms, salute. They then
immediately and simultaneously assume the position of guard, rifles
engaged. Neither man may take the position of guard before his
opponent has completed his salute. The choice of position is decided
before the salute.

101. The opponents being about two paces apart and the fencing salute
having been rendered, the instructor commands, _At will_, 2.
_ASSAULT_, after which either party has the right to attack. To
interrupt the contest the instructor will command _HALT_, at which the
combatants will immediately come to the order. To terminate the
contest the instructor will command, 1. _Halt_, 2. _SALUTE_, at which
the combatants will immediately come to the order, salute, and remove
their masks.

102. When men have acquired confidence in fencing at will, one
opponent should be required to advance upon the other in quick time at
_charge bayonet_, from a distance not to exceed 10 yards, and deliver
an attack. As soon as a hit is made by either opponent the instructor
commands, _HALT_, and the assault terminates. Opponents alternate in