In this, the sticks are held in the fist, up and slanting outward, the
top as high as the head. Partners cross sticks, leading file (Nos. 1, 3,
and 5) holding to the right of even numbers. The tapping (or clashing,
rather, for here the sticks are loudly clashed together) is done on first
three beats of bars 1 and 2, and 5 and 6 of "B" music (_see_ mark X).
Partners strike each other's sticks, right, left, right, according to
position, in the manner of sham fencing--the manner of brigands in
pantomime.
While the tapping is being done all stand fast, not moving the feet at
all. When the six taps are finished, in bars 1 and 2, 5 and 6, the sticks
are held crossed and in position; and in bars 3 and 4, 7 and 8 all break
into 4/3 step, and keep it up throughout those bars. The movement sounds
absurdly simple: so it is, but if done with precision the effect is at
once quaint and stirring.