4. Along this line measure the given distance from the known point. This length gives the point.

d. Coordinates.-The lines that form the squares of a gridded map are numbered. To indicate a point on such map

(1) Write down the number of the line on the left side of the square and place a period after it. Suppose it is 53.

(2) Taking 10 units as the distance between the sides of the square, place after the square the number of the units the point is from the side of the square, say 3 units. This gives us 53.3.

(3) Make a dash and write down the number of the line on the bottom of the square and place a period after it. Suppose it is 46. This gives us 53.3-46.

(4) As in (2) above find the number of units from the bottom of the square to the point. Suppose it is 4. This gives us 53.3-46.4. The point is then completely located.

e. Routes.--(1) In picking a route from a map consider the weather for the past few days. This precaution is especially necessary if your route traverses low ground, creek bottoms, or swamps.

(2) Consider the nature of the different kinds of woods that must be passed through. Evergreens offer few obstacles to an uninterrupted march, while other kinds of growth may be almost impenetrable.

(3) Brush is generally thicker in valleys and ravines than on summits and ridges.

(4) The edge of a swamp usually offers a covered route.

(5) Many small features of the terrain not shown on maps offer cover. (6) A road usually has more bends in it than are shown on the map. A road going up or down hill is shown to be a little shorter than it actually is. Map distances are, therefore, generally a little shorter than ground distances. (7) Do not expose a map near the enemy. Anything white catches the eye at once.

f. Positions.-(1) If a tree is chosen as an observation post, be sure to select one with its trunk concealed from the enemy.

(2) A large tree may be climbed by throwing a piece of rope around it, tying it above the buttocks, and alternately hitching it up and bearing against the trunk with the feet. The rope may be replaced by gunslings, bandoleers, or a piece of vine. When conditions permit, a small tree may be cut down, laid against the large tree, and used as a ladder.

g. Searching.-In looking across a body of water when the sun is shining, shade the eyes from below instead of from above.

h. Tracks.-(1) Horse.

(a) A horse's hind feet are usually longer and narrower than the fore feet.

(b) Tired horses and pack animals show irregularities in pace because
they shuffle instead of picking up their feet.

(c) Animals drawing heavily loaded carts uphill make tracks very
close together with the toes of the front feet deeply indented.
(d) Heavily loaded wagons going down hill often make the wheels
slide when the brakes are on.

(e) Mule tracks are longer and narrower than those of a horse.

(f) The droppings from horses help to indicate the age of tracks. The effect of rain, frost, and sun must be considered when examining them. Fresh droppings are warm, of light color, moist, and have a strong odor. With age they become hard and lose their odor. Week-old droppings often become musty.

(g) One hoof mark lighter than the other indicates that the animal making the track was lame in that foot.

(2) Human.

(a) A man walking fast makes an even track with a pace slightly under 36 inches.

(b) A man running leaves a track deeply indented at the toes with a space over 36 inches.

(c) Scouts should study the tracks made by various sorts of footwear. They should be able to distinguish between the tracks made by various sorts of military boots, and between the bare or sandaled foot of the peon and the moccasined foot of the Indian.

(3) Troops.

(a) A few tracks overlapping each other on both sides of the road indicate a patrol in staggered formation. A large number of tracks indicate troops in column of twos or single file, depending on the nature of the tracks.

(b) A large column wears a dry road smooth and flat.

(c) Mule and small wheel tracks show the presence of machine guns or light accompanying wagons.

(d) Artillery, tanks, and trains make very distinctive tracks. (e) The scout familiar with his enemy by study will, by noting the varying tracks, be able to make an accurate estimate of the force. (f) The condition and morale of troops are shown by the following points: The distance between points where hourly halts are made indicates the rate of march. If the ground is cleaned up after the halt, it indicates good discipline. If rubbish, packs, and rifles are scattered about, they show low morale and poor discipline. Tracks leaving a column in the direction of orchards, farmhouses, and wells indicate poor discipline. Heaps of good stores and materials in good condition left by a retreating force indicate a hasty withdrawal or rout. Burned supplies and partially destroyed materials indicate a more orderly withdrawal. (4) Vehicles.-The speed and direction of a vehicle are shown by the following: The side of the road the tracks are on and the side of the road on which the car passed others according to custom of the country; a car passing through mud or water will show wet tracks in the direction in which the car was going; mud and water are scattered more by a swiftly moving car than by one moving more slowly; piles of dirt and sand are scattered by a swiftly moving car whereas slow moving wheels leave deep smooth tracks; a wheel passing slight holes in the ground leaves deeper tracks on the side last hit; the greater the speed the deeper this imprint will be; a swiftly moving bicycle leaves a steadier track than one going more slowly. (5) Following tracks.

(a) The scout should practice tracking on soft ground first, then proceed to more difficult soil, and finally work on rocky ground. In

this last stage he should not be discouraged if at first it appears blank, for daily practice will bring steady improvement. The scout in tracking should not continually look at the ground at his feet. He should form the habit of looking forward 20 or 30 paces where scratches on hard ground, bent blades of grass or twigs, which in themselves mean nothing, form a line to the front and indicate a trail.

(b) If the tracks a scout is following merge into many others and there is a chance of losing them, he should take accurate measurements and attempt to pick them up where they emerge from the confusing ones. There will come times when the tracks appear entirely lost, so that a cast* must be made to relocate them. In such a case all but two men should halt before their tracks blot out or confuse those being followed. One man should proceed in the original direction while the second man goes about the spot where the tracks were last seen in circles of ever increasing size. In making a cast, the scout should put himself in the enemy's place and figure out what action would be natural under the circumstances.

i. Natural signs.—(1) Determining direction.

(a) The scout should remember that although the "big dipper" changes position in the sky the "pointers" continue to point to the North Star.

(b) The densest growth of trees and brush is found on the southern slopes of hills.

(c) Field flowers usually turn their coronas to the sun. If the sun
has been out of sight long, they will be found facing the direction
in which it last appeared.

(d) The longest branches of trees usually grow on the south side.
(e) The south side of stumps in a clearing, in the North Temperate
Zone, can usually be determined because it will be found to be
bleached and dry rotted, while the other side will appear fresh,
with darker wood and bark.

(2) Marking return routes.

(a) Breaking branches or blazing trees are good methods of marking a prospective return route. The scout must be sure that his "blaze" marks can be seen from the opposite direction. He should mark both the far and the near side of the tree.

(b) Knots may be tied in long grass to mark a return route.

(c) The scout's best guide is his memory of the landmarks passed on the way out. He should continually cultivate the ability to recognize points he has once seen.

41. Individual conduct by night.—a. General.—(1) Delicate reconnaissance missions can best be carried out on dark, stormy nights.

(2) When the enemy is using many flares, he probably has few patrols out, when he is not employing fires, his patrols are apt to be numerous.

(3) Gas masks, if part of the equipment, should be carried at the alert and well up on the chest so as not to interfere with movement in the prone position.

A cast is a systematic search for a lost track.

(4) Substitute chewing gum for chewing tobacco. The latter necessitates spitting, which often causes the spitter to make an unmistakably human sound. (5) A threatened sneeze may often be stopped by pressing upward with the fingers against the nostrils.

(6) A threatened cough may often be stopped by a slight pressure on the Adam's apple.

(7) A ringing noise in the head, which interferes with hearing, may often be stopped by yawning.

(8) Sometimes a man is found who can not see at all in semidarkness. He is said to be night blind and is of no use for night scouting.

(9) If necessary to whisper, expel most of the air from the lungs to avoid hissing when sounds are made.

(10) Avoid unnecessary delay by moving boldly when firing is going on. Take advantage of any sound, such as shelling, wind rustling, or distant firing, to push forward.

(11) In damp and rainy weather when the enemy has been using gas keep out of shell holes; they may be saturated with mustard gas.

(12) Whenever stopped, look and listen.

(13) Do not strain the eyes by concentrating on one object too long. If objects blur, lower the eyelids slowly, keep the eyes closed for a few seconds, then open them slowly.

(14) Sounds of persons walking are heard better if the ear is held close to the ground. Sounds are transmitted a greater distance in wet weather than in dry.

(15) Never look at a flare; look at the ground until the light goes out to avoid temporary blindness. A flare which bursts in the air or on the ground behind a scout makes it easier for the enemy to see him.

(16) All patrols or persons met should be considered the enemy until the contrary is established. When some one is met, crouch low to get him silhouetted against the sky and, at the same time, to offer him an indistinct target if he proves to be an enemy. If fired on close to the enemy line, do not return the fire except to avoid capture.

(17) If lost, lie still for a while and think it over. Do not wander aimlessly about.

(18) Be as careful in returning as in starting out. Enemy patrols may be lurking near your lines and there is always danger of your own sentries firing, unless you approach them properly.

(19) Black goggles are useful in daylight training to simulate night conditions.

b. Cutting wire.—(1) A piece of sandbag wrapped around the wire cutters will deaden the sound of wire cutting.

(2) Do not cut a gap in the wire perpendicular to the front.

(3) If a gap is cut in the enemy wire, it is well to leave the top wires intact to lessen the chances of its discovery.

c. Crossing trenches.-(1) Before crossing a trench, wait outside for a while and listen.

(2) Do not cross a trench near its junction with a communicating trench. (3) Never enter a trench from the front if it is possible to do so from the rear, as sentries pay much more attention to sounds in front of them than to those in rear.

(4) Do not move about in the enemy trenches, because work can be much more effectively done from the outside.

d. Ascertaining direction without a compass.-(1) The direction of the wind, stream courses, stars, and prominent points in the skyline are useful in keeping direction at night.

(2) Notes made from a map may be helpful in some cases.

(3) For close-in work, talcum powder sprinkled along the route will help a patrol to find its way back.

(4) In stabilized positions the sense of smell may aid patrols considerably. The familiar smell of certain vegetation, or refuse, of a dead man, or of a kitchen may from time to time orient scouts and guide them back to their own lines.

(5) White tape may be laid on the ground to aid raiding parties to the proper point in the enemy wire.

(6) Smooth wire stretched from tree to tree may be used to guide patrols through woods at night.

42. Daylight patrols.—a. Equipment.—(1) The following items of equipment are useful for patrols working in the daytime: Rifle, pistol, haversack with rations, canteen, map, compass, watch, pencil and paper, field message book, field glass, and helmet covered with burlap.

(2) White uniforms may be used in snow-covered countries.

(3) For patrols operating in canebrakes, woods, jungles, and swamps the bolo will be useful.

(4) When their use is necessary, snowshoes or skis should be provided for long-distance patrols.

(5) The mission and probable actions of a patrol should be studied before its equipment is chosen. When finally equipped, it should be able to meet any probable situation.

b. Signals. (1) Members of a patrol should be thoroughly familiar with the infantry arm signals for the execution of the following: Forward; By the right (left) flank; To the rear; Halt; Lie down or (Take cover); Double time or (Rush); Change direction; Assemble; As skirmishers; Are you ready or (I am ready); Fix bayonets; Enemy in sight in small numbers; Enemy in sight in force.

(2) In addition men who may be used on patrols should know the following specific signals:

(a) To observe. Man looks through imaginary binoculars.

(b) To report. Man writes an imaginary message.

(3) Each man of the patrol should be thoroughly familiar with the patrol formation, so that if he wishes to give a signal he will know the location of the man to whom he wishes to send it.

(4) Signaling by word of mouth should be avoided, because it leads to too much talking. This is especially true of patrols operating in woods.

(5) The patrol leader should instruct all men that, whenever they are away from the center of the patrol, they must look to the nearest man for signals at least once every minute.

c. Formations.-(1) The patrol leader governs the rate of advance of a patrol.

(2) Flankers must be careful not to move too far away from the patrol. (3) When a patrol approaches a point from which the enemy may have ob