V. Prime.—1st. Shake some powder into the pan.
2d. Shut the pan with the three last fingers.
3d. Seize the small of the butt with the above three fingers.
VI. Load.—1st. Face to the left on both heels, so that the right toe may point directly to the front, and the body be a very little faced to the left, bringing at the same time the firelock round to the left side without sinking it. It should, in this momentary position, be almost perpendicular (having the muzzle only a small degree brought forward), and as soon as it is steady there, it must instantly be forced down within two inches of the ground, the butt nearly opposite the left heel, and the firelock itself somewhat sloped, and directly to the front; the right hand at the same instant catches the muzzle, in order to steady it.
2d. Shake the powder into the barrel, putting in after it the paper and ball.
3d. Seize the top of the ramrod, with the fore finger and thumb.
VII. Draw ramrods.—1st. Draw the ramrod half out, and seize it back-handed exactly in the middle.
2d. Draw it entirely out, and turning it with the whole hand and arm extended from you, put it one inch into the barrel.
VIII. Ram down cartridge.—1st. Push the ramrod down, holding it as before, exactly in the middle, till the hand touches the muzzle.
2d. Slip the fore finger and thumb to the upper end, without letting the ramrod fall farther into the barrel.