.

After the Sponge is withdrawn, Gun Captain serves the vent with his
priming-wire and again closes it.

No. 8 hands Rammer to 4 as soon as the Sponge is taken from him by 6.
Should 4 observe that the Gun Captain neglected to serve the vent, he
is to call his attention to it.

No. 3 stands ready with Charge he has taken from Powderman.

No. 5, assisted by Shellman, opens Shell-box, disengages the Shell,
and has it in readiness to pass to No. 3.

V. "LOAD!"

(Diagram No. 2.)

221. No. 3 places Charge in muzzle, seam from the Vent, small end in,
and pushes it well into the Bore.

No. 4 stands ready with the Rammer, enters it into the muzzle, and
pushes the Charge steadily to the bottom of the Bore, which will be
shown by the mark on the rammer handle; 3 assists with one hand, and
the charge is on no account to be struck.

While 4 withdraws the Rammer, 3 is to receive the Shell from 5, lift
and enter it, sabot first, into muzzle, fuze out, as soon as the
rammer is clear thereof.

As the shell lies just fair with muzzle, 3 removes cap from Fuze,
which is to be passed along to the Gun Captain, and pushes the Shell
into the Bore.

No. 4 enters Rammer, and, assisted by 3, pushes in the Shell until the
mark on handle shows it to be in place. It is most strictly forbidden
to strike the Shell with the Rammer.

No. 6 takes Rammer from 4 and lays it down.

Whilst this has been doing, the preparation for the next order has
been proceeding, thus:

2d Captain ships Roller Handspike. Nos. 7, 9, 11, 13, 15,--8, 10, 12,
14, 16 take hold of Side-tackles; Gun Captain feels if Vent is clear,
and Charge home.

_Action._

(This is equivalent to the order "Together.")

Nos. 5, 6 assist at Side-tackles.

Nos. 3, 4 attend Truck-quoins and keep the Breeching clear of
Front-trucks.

No. 12, assisted in heavy rolling of lee guns by 11, prepares to tend
Train-tackle. If necessary with a round turn round all parts of the
fall.

VI. "RUN OUT!"

(Diagram No. 3.)

222. The execution of this order is to be controlled by the gun being
to windward or to leeward, and also by the nature of the Roll.

To _leeward_, and with much motion, the cannon will rush out violently
unless prevented; therefore 11 assists 12 at the Train-tackle; 7, 9,
11, 13, 15, and 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 start the gun cautiously.

2d Captain heaves up on Roller Handspike, but is careful to let down
the Carriage if it begins to start out rapidly; it m