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648 ILLUSTRATED W(
his experience—that quickly singled him
out as being different from any one of
the other five thousand eager young fellows.
He was watching bayonet practice
along with his camp comrades, when
suddenly he exclaimed: "Why, I know
a better way of doing it than that!"
"Tell Colonel Nicholson," someone
suggested.
The young fellow grinned. The idea
seemed absurd to him. He was not in
the habit of seeing privates give direc­
tions to their officers. Urged, however,
he sought out the commander.
It is a fine commentary on the spirit
of our army that its officers are eager to
learn from any source anything about
war as it is being waged today. Colonel
Nicholson was impressed by young
Smith's statements. When he saw a
demonstration he was more than satisfied
that the young man had something of
real importance to contribute to the vital
business of beating the Germans. Under
the direction of his superiors, Smith at
the present time, is drawing up a book
of regulations that covers the new bayonet
practice.
If you have ever seen work with the
bayonet in the regular army you will
probably remember that the left arm of
the soldier is held crooked at all times.
He may execute a front, rear, or side
pass with his feet; lunge, cut, or parry,
with his weapon, but always the left arm
is bent at the elbow.
There is a simple reason for this. It
is not intended that the strength of the
left arm should be brought fully into
play. It is intended that it be used
partly to guide the right arm. But its
chief function is that of a pivot. Consequently,
the crook permits the force exerted
by the right arm to be turned at
will in whatever direction may be necessary
to make an attack or to guard
against it.
Understand, this is the method that
the U. S. Army regulations prescribe,
and it is well to keep this fact in mind,
for the position of the elbow makes pos-