This movement is also completed in eight bars.
In the following diagram (Figs. 1, 2, and 3) the movements of the leading
three, Nos. 1, 3, and 5, are shown separately to avoid confusion.
To begin the Chain the side stands in Column (_see_ p. 48). No. 1 turns
_outward_, that is, to the left, and goes forward in an S-shaped double
curve as shown, passing in the middle of the curve the place of No. 3,
and finishing in the place of No. 5.
No. 3 starts out to rightward, and goes in a circle, in the second half
of which he is following the first half of No. 1's track.
No. 5 starts to leftward, making a double curve as No. 1, but opposite,
passing in the middle of it the place of No. 3, and finishing in the
place of No. 1.
[Illustration: Fig. 1.]
[Illustration: Fig. 2.]
[Illustration: Fig. 3.]
Therefore, No. 8 follows No. 1, and No. 5 follows No. 3 round the track
of an imaginary figure 8, or double circle, for that is the shape of the
completed movement. Thus:
[Illustration: Fig. 4.]
[Illustration: Fig. 5.]
[NOTE.--At middle and completion of Chain, all turn inward, as shown in
Fig. 5, and face partners as they jump (_see_ p. 48).]
At the end of the second bar, No. 5 should be at No. 3's place, in the
centre of the figure; No. 1 should have already passed it, and No. 3 be
coming to it, so that No. 5 passes between Nos. 1 and 3. In second half
of Chain, same positions are to be observed.
In the second four bars, for completion of the Chain, the movements
already described are simply reversed. As No. 1 is always leader (_see_
p. 38), and must turn outward and be followed by Nos. 3 and 5 on the
lines of the figure 8, he must now return to his station along the double
curve travelled in the first four bars by No. 5. No. 3 must follow No. 1
in the other circle of the 8, and No. 5 must get back to his station
along the double curve travelled in the first four bars by No. 1. Thus:
[Illustration: Fig. 6.]
[Illustration: Fig. 7.]
The Chain is danced by Nos. 2, 4, and 6 precisely in the same way: No. 2
is always leader; always turns _outward_; and Nos. 4 and 6 always follow
No. 2 on the lines of the double curve, or figure 8. No. 6, as No. 5,
passes between Nos. 2 and 4, in chaining.
Occasionally, as for instance in "Country Gardens," the term "Half-chain"
will be found. This means that the movement shown in Fig. 4 is executed
to four bars of music; another movement follows; then "Half-chain" again,
bringing numbers back to original stations.
If, as very often occurs, the Chain follows a movement executed in Front
formation, the dancers simply turn and follow one another as shown in
diagrams, when the Chain music begins.
This is called in the Notation--Chain.