The bayoneteer has the longer weapon. You have the handier one. You must therefore use such tactics as will give it the advantage.
On taking guard, keep out of distance, and by feinting, endeavour to find out whether, if you attack him, he will parry or counter with a thrust, which some men, relying on the superior length of the rifle and bayonet, do when attacked.
If you think that the latter is his intention, make false attacks, as described in page [76], and draw out his thrust, which, having guarded, return with the greatest rapidity. A counter with a bayonet must be avoided by every means possible.
Should you see that he is disposed to guard, you may attack him without much fear of a counter.
You should not attack too often, but rely more upon your guard and quick return. When, however, you do attack, use the feints very much. Doing so gives the advantage to the handier weapon.
Your returns, in which the thrust should take a prominent part, must be made with the greatest rapidity, and the opposition in them, as in the attacks, strictly maintained, so that he cannot possibly deliver a remise thrust.
PLATE XXVIII.—HOW TO SEIZE THE RIFLE AFTER PARRYING PRIME.
PLATE XXVIII.
How to Seize the Rifle after Parrying Prime.
If you at any time have an opportunity of parrying his thrusts with your left hand, or of seizing the barrel of his rifle with it, do so. You must not then struggle and try to get it out of his hands, but must deliver a cut or thrust as quickly as possible. In an actual combat you would then have little difficulty in getting his weapon should you want it.