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HOW ONE IS TO MOVNT A PEECE VPON ITS carriage, by the helpe of a Fearne, or a Ghynne. THE FIFTH CHAPTER.
BEfore you are to mount your peece, above all things you must have a singular care that the Fearn be so firmly set, that it doth not recoil or slip away in any manner, and so that the rope, and pullie, or truckle, comming downe from the head fall just vpon the eares of the peece: whereof to be assured, you may let fall downeward from the pullie aboue, a whipcoard with a plummet, or some small stone hanging downe: and turning the said Fearn, till the Plummet falls just in the very midst, as is said.
If it be in a plaine, even, and fast ground, you may have the lesse care in setting firme and steadfast the feete of your Fearn vpon it, but if it be a Sandie and a soft Earth into which the feete may sinke, or give back, according to the greatnesse of the weight, then you must put plancks, blocks, or some solid thing vnder the feete, setting tent pinnes about it, according as necessity shall require, and as opportunity will permit you.
Your Fearn then being thus firmly placed and setled, the Gunner shall get vp by a ladder, or some stepps to the head or top of it, having the rope in his hand, shall put it through the vp∣permost truckle of the head, and let it fall downe to the other, that he which catches it may put it through the left side of the peece in his hand, to fasten it, (as wee shall shew hereafter) into the eares of the peece, and so having put it through them, he drawes it vp till he can give it to him that is aboue him, and then he puts it againe through the hole of the right hand truckle, and gives it downe to him that is vnder him, who reaches it againe to him that is above: and so he fastens it to the head of the Fearn, giving it some turnes, till it comes under the vppermost truckle, as you see.
This done, he must fasten it (with great discretion) to the lower truckle, by puting the rope through the eares of the peece, putting the end of it thorow three times, as well through the eares, as through the ring which is under the said truckle: after this, you shall begin to hoise your peece, putting a great, and a long peece of timber into the mouth of the peece to guide it aright, that it doth not swagg from one side to an other; a dangerous thing, which stricking against one of the feete of the Fearn or against the Rouler, may break it, and so hinder the whole worke. Those which mounts it, must have a care to keepe the peece steddie and right, untill the weight of the peece is well setled. The Generall or his Lieu∣tenant Generall, in the meane while having a watchfull eye, as well vpon the ropes, as vpon the feete of the Fearne; that the feet do not slip away, or the rope be cadgeld one among an other, or drawing not alike, may breake. Therefore, when they begin to hoise the peece vp, they must give a blow or two with a staff vpon the ropes, to part them a sunder, one from an other, that each may beare an equall weight.
If you perceive that your Fearne beginnes to give back, then you must presently let your peece sinke, and underlaye, and settle well the feete of it, and that as gently as may be, to the end the Crosse beame, or Rouler may not be disjoynted, or broken.
Finally, giving two or three turnes to the Maine rope, vpon the rouler or winder of the Fearn, you must wind it vp carefully, and very gently with the help of two men only: in such sort, that when one of the levers or handles hath gone about, the other must be held fast till that the other man hath put this in its place to make likewise its turne about: or else the other man shall stay his hand, till that his fellow drawing out his, hath put it also in its hole; which must be done so often till the peece be hoised so high, that you may put your Carriage vnder it.
Also you must take heede that your peece knocketh not against any part of your Fearne, which might cause any disaster, or that the Fearne might breake, and letting the peece fall, a mischiefe may happen, and put all into disorder: wherefore you must put the carriage under it very gently, that the Tronions may fall just into the holes or clasping sockets of the carriage and so guide your peece by the beame which it hath in its mouth, that it falls softly to rest upon its carriage, and then locking it well in, and fastning it with the wedges, you may then loosen your ropes, and taking away the Fearne, your peece being thus mounted you may draw it whithersoever you please.