LESSON III.

TO LOAD IN FOUR TIMES. 

259. The object of this lesson is to prepare the recruits to load at will, and to cause them  to distinguish the times which require the greatest regularity and attention, such as charge  cartridge, ram cartridge, and prime. It will be divided as follows: 

260. The first time will be executed at the end of the command; the three others at the  commands, two, three and four. The instructor will command: 

1. Load in four times. 2. LOAD. 

261. Execute the times to include charge cartridge. 

TWO. 

262. Execute the times to include ram cartridge. 

THREE. 

263. Execute the times to include prime. 

FOUR. 

264. Execute the time of shoulder arms. 

TO LOAD AT WILL. 

265. The instructor will next teach loading at will, which will be executed as loading in  four times, but continued, and without resting on either of the times. He will command: 

1. Load at will. 2. LOAD. 

266. The instructor will habituate the recruits, by degrees, to load with the greatest possible promptitude, each without regulating himself by his neighbor, and above all without  waiting for him. 267. The cadence prescribed No. 136, is not applicable to loading in four times, or at  will.