28 SHOOTING IN CHINA 



be four feet wide at the gunwale. The 

 frame-work should be of iron or steel ; the 

 planking of hull and decks of teak ; and 

 the house and joiner-work of California red 

 pine or Japan cedar." If a houseboat should 

 be built with the details conforming to the 

 outline and description above indicated it 

 would doubtless prove a very satisfactory 

 boat for the shooter. It is absolutely 

 necessary for a houseboat to be of light 

 draft, as the water in many of the creeks 

 and canals is shallow, and if the boat is too 

 wide or high it would be impossible for it 

 to pass under the numerous bridges that 

 span these little waterways which often 

 lead to the best shooting grounds. Such 

 a houseboat would afford room for a large 

 enough cabin for sleeping berths and for 

 sitting and eating purposes, bath and 

 toilet-room, cook house and pantry, and 

 dog kennels, — all the apartments to be 

 arranged, apportioned and fitted up accord- 

 ing to the judgment and taste of the 

 owner. 



After the houseboat has been furnished 

 to please the owner or occupant, the greatest 

 care should be exercised in the selection of 



