THE SCIENCE OF SCULLING WILD FOWL. 207 
CAR TER XX it. 
THE SCIENCE OF SCULLING WILD FOWL. 
To become an expert in the art of sculling wild fowl, 
one must be thoroughly versed in it scientifically ; for 
it is a science, and a complete knowledge of it can only 
be obtained by hard work, constant practice and a de- 
sire to become proficient in the science. He should never 
get disheartened or discouraged; nor must he for a 
moment think of failing in his attempt to learn. He 
should always remember, “ That in the bright lexicon of 
youth, there is no such word as fail.” It is sorry work 
for a beginner, and as he sits in the stern of the boat, at- 
tempting to scull, the oar will shp from him, and obsti- 
nately refuse to catch the water right, in spite of his most 
careful strokes. Then, after he has faithfully and dili- 
gently practiced for, say half an hour, pains will shoot 
through his side, caused by his cramped position ; his 
wrists will ache and he will be completely tired out; then, 
after he has caught the stroke, how difficult to keep the 
boat from rocking. To get the power, he throws the 
weight of his body on the oar, then the boat feels it; he 
tries to get the motion of the boat stopped, but the more 
he tries, the harder the boat rocks, and then its swish, 
splash, swish, splash, as the boat rocks in the water, send- 
ing great waves from its sides, and the only way he can 
stop it, is to quit sculling, and let the rocking gradually 
subside until it entirely stops. The scull-boat is, one 
