CHAPTER XXVI 



MIDNIGHT ON THE OOZES 



A Winter's Night in a Gunning-Punt 



The elements of hardship and uncertainty which are 

 inherent to the pursuit of wildfowl have been alluded 

 to ; but it is by night that both are the most pro- 

 nounced, and especially the former. Night-punting - , 

 while intensely exciting, is yet the most precarious of 

 British sports, and demands the greatest sacrifices of 

 comfort. The boldest spirit may quail at the prospect 

 of spending a winter's night aboard an open punt 

 amidst shelterless creeks ; and the keenest must stiffen 

 his neck and harden his heart when it comes to turning 

 out into a freezing atmosphere at midnight, just when 

 the rest of the world are seeking their snug beds. 



Moonlight is the primary essential of success — that 

 is, the sport is limited to a possible eight or ten nights 

 each month ; but in practice there are seldom found more 

 than a couple during each moon, when meteorological 

 conditions are sufficiently favourable. On stormy nights 

 one cannot go afloat, for a gunning-punt would not weather 

 the sea ; and even when the sea is calm, the moon may be 

 so overcast as to preclude any chance of discerning the 

 fowl on the dark water. Then — cruellest disappointment 



