Then lay your Right-hand on your Sword, taking hold of your Scabbard with your Left; and then drawing, hold your Swords upright before you; after you have held them there a while, bring them down at one Motion, and when by Command your Swords are returned, stand upright to your Arms, facing to your proper Front; and if any thing is to be further known, consider the Exercise of the Pike and Musket distinctly, and you will be informed to your Satisfaction.
Of the Match-Lock.
These Locks were formerly in more use than Fire-Locks, and at this day they are sometimes mixed among them; wherefore I shall speak somewhat relating to the Words of Command, that seem to differ from the Fire-lock, viz.
1. Lay down your Match,
2. Handle your Match,
3. Blow your Match,
4. Cock and try your Match,
5. Return your Match.
All these chiefly consist in keeping your Match in order, with a good hard and well lighted Coal, fastning it on Command, advantageous in your Skrew, blowing the Coal, and so by pulling the Trigger, trying your Pan with false Flashes, laying it down at Command, and by the same order taking it up again; shortning it to the Pan, that it may give true Fire, and upon firing, to return it, and recover the Coal, if it be shattered by the force of the Powder. You must observe also to keep your Match dry, that on occasion you may not be disappointed.
And this in brief is all materially relating to the Match-Lock; the other Postures of the Musket are all ready described, being sufficient to direct the Exercise; yet seeing many lay much stress on the Beat of Drum, Take that a long with you, as it relates to Exercise, and so I shall take Leave of the foot, and make a visit to the Horse.
Exercise by Beat of Drum, relating to the Foot.
There are usually observed in this, six Points, which are called Points of War, and are said to be semi-vocal; because by them the Soldiers understand what is to be done; and can distinguish their Duty and Exercise; and of these in their order.
1. The Call. This is to Summon the Soldiers together to their Arms, or upon any other occasion, as to hear Proclamation, or receive Directions, &c. from the Officers, and are not without leave to Ramble, especially in time of War, beyond the hearing of it, under great Penalties.