Dear Mr Cornwell, May I start my offering my apologies for posting several question to your good self over the last few months. But, as a fan it does mean a great deal to us to have you take the time out of your busy schedule to read and answer our questions. May I ask a final question, after which I will leave you alone. I appreciate that it has been many years since you have gone into research for your wonderful Sharpe novels. But may I ask, if you can remember, where did you find reference to soldiers spitting balls down musket muzzles in the loading process? Im quite sad in the fact that I have a modern copy of the 1764 drill book. I cannot find a reference to spitting balls, in fact, the books orders soldiers to bite away the folded end of the cartridge (instead of biting the bullet away) and after priming the pan, they were to pour the powder down the muzzle, followed by the paper and ball. Now I know this is some 40 yrs before our Sharpe time, I dont think the drill book would have changed that much though, considering the conservative nature of our army. I have also read many Osprey titles, and again I can find no reference to spitting. Please do not take this as criticism, as I do not wish to say youre wrong, far from it. Its just that I have found no reference to it and I was wondering if you can help. Thank you again for your time sir. Andrew