Conveniently enough, his black cross-belt held his cartridge pouch. With his sword sheathed, he could reach one arm behind his back and deftly select a round from the leather-bound box. What he'd called a cartridge looked more like a fat cigarette with a slight bulge at one end. Sharpe wasted no time in biting off the bulge and spitting a dark round hunk of metal onto his palm. The rest of the cartridge held fine powder which he also poured onto his hand in an unceremonious heap around the bullet. Although he kept his distance, he tilted his hand to show the vital parts.
Personally, he preferred to load ball and patch -- but one never failed to have cartridges handy just in case speed was required.
no subject
Conveniently enough, his black cross-belt held his cartridge pouch. With his sword sheathed, he could reach one arm behind his back and deftly select a round from the leather-bound box. What he'd called a cartridge looked more like a fat cigarette with a slight bulge at one end. Sharpe wasted no time in biting off the bulge and spitting a dark round hunk of metal onto his palm. The rest of the cartridge held fine powder which he also poured onto his hand in an unceremonious heap around the bullet. Although he kept his distance, he tilted his hand to show the vital parts.
Personally, he preferred to load ball and patch -- but one never failed to have cartridges handy just in case speed was required.