MANUAL FOR NONCOMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 279 



place himself in the best possible position to receive or, if 

 necessary, to arrest the person or party. . 



187. In case a mounted party be challenged, the sentinel ^Yill 

 call, "Halt, Dismount. Who is there? " 



188. The sentinel will permit only one of any party to ap- 

 proach him for the purpose of giving the countersign (Pars. 

 209 to 217), or, if no countersign be used, of being duly recog- 

 nized. When this is done the whole party is 'advanced, i. 8., 

 allowed to pass. 



189. In all cases the sentinel must satisfy himself beyond a 

 reasonable doubt that the parties are what they represent 

 themselves to be and have a right to pass. If he is not satis- 

 fied, he must cause them to stand and call the corporal of the 

 guard. So, likewise, if he have no authority to pass persons 

 with the countersign, or when the party has not the counter- 

 sign, or gives an incorrect one. 



190. A sentinel will not permit any person to approach so 

 close as to prevent the proper use of his own weapon before 

 recognizing the person or receiving the countersign. 



191. When two or more persons approach in one party, the 

 sentinel, on receiving an answer that indicates that some one 

 in the party has the countersign, will say, "Advance one with 

 the countersign," and if the countersign is given correctly, 

 will then say, "Advance (so-and-so)," repeating the answer to 

 his challenge. Thus if the answer be " Relief (friend with 

 the countersign, patrol, etc.)," the sentinel will say, "Advance 

 one with the countersign"; then "Advance, relief (friends, 

 patrol, etc.)." 



192. If a person having the countersign approach alone, he 

 is advanced to give the countersign. Thus if the answer be 

 "Friend with the couYitersign (or officer of the day, or etc.)," 

 the sentinel will say, "Advance, friend (or officer of the day, 

 or etc.) with the countersign"; then "Advance, friend (or 

 officer of the day, or etc.)." 



193. If two or more persons approach a sentinel's post from 

 different directions at the same time, all such persons are 

 challenged in turn and required to halt and to remain halted 

 until advanced. 



The senior is first advanced, in accordance with the fore- 

 going rules. 



