The young officers were instructing their men in the first essentials of bayonet combat.
The last piece of paper disposed of, Prescott at last arose, stretched slightly, then strode out of the office to the drill ground.
He was just in time to hear one of his lieutenants explaining to a line of men: "When pursuing a retreating enemy one of the most effective thrusts with the bayonet can be delivered right here.

Learn to mark the spot well." Half-turning, the lieutenant pointed to the spot in the small of his own back, before he went on, impressively: "A bayonet thrust there will drive the blade through a kidney.
I will admit that that doesn't sound like sportsman-like fighting, but unfortunately we're not to be employed against a really civilized enemy in this war.

Page, you will stand out.

It isn't a popular role to which I am going to assign you, but you will run slowly past me and represent a fleeing enemy.

Dobson, you will take a blob-stick and chase Page, running just fast enough to overtake him in front of me.