(Diagram No. 4.)
248. No. 4 is to receive the moist sponge from No. 6, right hand over, left under, to send it home, and, assisted by No. 3, to press it to the bottom of the Bore, then to turn it around two or three times from left to right, in the direction that the worm may take,[17] withdraw it, strike the staff several smart taps under the muzzle, then return it to No. 6, who will receive it and lay it down;[18] the Gun Captain serves, then stops the Vent,[19] and as soon as the sponge has been withdrawn, serves the Vent with his priming-wire and again stops it.
This being done—
No. 20 hands the Rammer to No. 4 as soon as the latter has been relieved of the Sponge by No. 6. Should No. 4 observe that the Gun Captain has neglected to serve the Vent, he is to call his attention to it.
No. 3 stands ready with the Powder which he has taken from No. 5, to whom it was passed by No. 25.
Nos. 7, 8, open the Shell-Box, disengage[20] the Shell, and place it in the Ladle, in readiness to pass to Nos. 3 and 5. (Special drill.)
(Diagram No. 4.)
249. No. 3 places the charge in the muzzle, seam from the Vent,[21] small end in, and pushes it well into the Bore.
No. 4, who stands ready with the Rammer, enters it into the muzzle, and pushes the charge home steadily, until the mark on the Rammer handle shows the charge to be in place.[22] No. 3 assists with one hand, and the charge is on no account to be struck.[23]