150 MANUAL FOR NONCOMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 



extending his arm as in signal forv/ard (par. 990), dropping 

 the hand to the side when the guide's horse is straightened 

 in the neio direction. Wlien tlie troopers liave become suffi- 

 ciently practiced in adjusting themselves to the movements 

 of the instructor, the latter makes the changes of direction 

 more marked, and moves, during such changes, on the arcs of 

 smaller circles. Finally, he requires the squad to apply the 

 principles of leading in the manner' indicated in pars. 34G-349. 

 As each movement is taken up the principles of leading that 

 apply are explained in detail, so that all may understand 

 clearly the identity and position of the base. The base 

 trooper (guide) must clearly understand his duties. (Fig. 31.) 



Squad Formations. 



The formations, of the squad for drill, march, or combat are 

 as follows : 



CLOSE OEDEE. 



368. (a) Line: The troopers are abi^east of each other with 

 intervals (Def.) of C inches (mounted) or 4 inches (dis- 

 mounted) between troopers. 



(&) Column of fours: The troopers of each four are ar- 

 ranged as in line. The fours follov,^ successively one behind 

 another with distances (Def.) between successive fours of 4 

 feet, mounted, or 92 inches, dismounted. When a four in- 

 cludes loss than four troopers it is an incomplete four. Places 

 in an incomplete four are habitually filled in the following 

 order : No. 2, No. 3, No. 4, No. 1 (par. 374). 



(c) Column of twos: The troopers of each two are arranged 

 as in line, the twos following successively, one behind another, 

 with distances between successive twos of 4 feet, mounted, or 

 40 inches, dismounted. If any two have but a single trooper 

 the latter takes the position corresponding to the right trooper 

 of the incomplete two (par. 374). 



(d) Column of troopers: The troopers of each four follow 

 successively, one behind another, with distances between con- 

 secutive troopers of 4 feet when mounted, or 14 inches when 

 dismounted. 



