At the sound of the trumpet the line is formed. Master of Calvary to
the Sir Knight Warden, "When a Council of Knights of the Red Cross is
about to be formed and opened, what is the first care?" Warden--"To
see the Council chamber duly guarded." M. C.--"Please to attend to
that part of your duty, see that the sentinels are at their respective
posts, and inform the Captain of the Guards that we are about to open
a Council of Knights of the Red Cross for the dispatch of business."
W.--"The sentinels are at their respective posts, and the Council
chamber duly guarded." M. C.--"Are all present Knights of the Red
Cross?" W.--"They are." M. C.--"Attention, Sir Knights, count
yourselves from right to left--right files handle sword--draw
sword--carry sword--right files to the left double--second division
forward, march, halt--right about face!" Sir Knight Master of
Infantry, accompanied by the sword-bearer and Warden--"Please inform
the Sovereign Master that the lines are formed waiting his pleasure."
At the approach of the Council the trumpet sounds. M. C.--"Form avenue
(the Council pass); the Sovereign Master passes uncovered; recover
arms, poise arms!" Sovereign Master--"Attention, Sir Knights; give
your attention to the several signs of Masonry; as I do, so do you."
[The Sir Knights give the signs from the first to the seventh degree.]
S. M.--"Draw swords, and take care to advance and give the Jewish
countersign--recover arms; take care to advance and give the Persian
countersign--recover arms." S.M. to Sir Knight Master of the
Palace--"Advance and give me the word of a Knight of the Red Cross;
the word is right--receive it on your left." The word is then passed
around; when it arrives at the Chancellor he says, "Sovereign Master
of the Red Cross, word has arrived." S. M.--"Pass it on to me [he
gives it to the Sovereign Master]. Sir Knight, the word is right." S.
M. to Sir Knight Chancellor--"Advance and give me the grand sign,
grip, and word of a Knight of the Red Cross; it is right--receive it
on your left." The word passes around as before, as will hereafter be
explained, and when arrived at the Master of the Palace, he says,
"Sovereign Master, the grand sign, grip and word have arrived." S.
M.--"Pass them on to me; Sir Knight, they are right. Left
face--deposit helmets--centre face--reverse arms--to your devotions
[the Sir Knights all kneel and repeat the Lord's prayer]--recover
arms--left face--recover helmets--centre face--right about face--to
your posts--march!"
* * * * *