162 THE WILD-FOWLER. 



feet for a punt of the size and length described. It would be advisa- 

 ble for a beginner to set only a small sail at first, and then to increase 

 it as he becomes accustomed to the boat. The tack of the sail should 

 be hooked to a small copper ring- about two feet in advance of the 

 mast, on either side, according to the wind ; or it may be hooked to 

 the lower part of the mast. The main-sheet should lead through a 

 thimble or sheave at the stern, and be carried forward to a cleet some- 

 where amidships, so as to be near at hand when the punter is lying 

 down in the boat. 



The rudder-bands must also be sufficiently long to enable the 

 sportsman to steer his craft with the greatest nicety when lying at 

 full length on the floor of the punt. 



A small cushion will be found very convenient, and a great com- 

 fort to the punter in the sailing as well as the rowing punt ; or a life- 

 buoy may be carried instead, which will answer the same purpose, 

 and perhaps be a more satisfactory comfort to the occupant of the 

 punt. 



The form of the sailing-punt described, is graceful in the extreme, 

 and buoyant as a cork; and when unencumbered with gun and other 

 wei"'hty substances, may be rowed with the ease and rapidity of a 

 wao-er-boat. It is intended to carry one person only ; as having two 

 occupants of a punt is a great impediment to success in wild-fowl 

 shooting. 



The sailing-punt should be painted a dusky-white colour 5 and the 

 sail ought always to be kept clean, and of snowy whiteness. 



No other ballast will be required than that of the punter himself 

 (who is virtually the ballast), the ])unt-gun, ammunition box, and 

 other accoutrements ; all of which must be placed in exact position, so 

 as to trim the boat to a nicety. The punter need not lie down until he 

 finds the birds ; but as soon as found he must instantly stretch himself 

 flat on the floor, and be cautious not to move a limb above board as 

 he approaches within range. If the sail is lightly made and fitted, 

 and fairly proportioned, the punt will be quite safe, in smooth water, 

 in experienced hands ; but one sail only should be used, and that 

 the lateen before mentioned. The rapidity with which a little 

 boat of this kind skims along on a reach is astonishing ; and the 

 young sportsman will often be agreeably surprised at the easy 

 and unsuspecting manner in which it may be run up to wild- fowl 

 in a steady breeze : and if a shot cannot always be obtained 

 before they take wing, by luffing the punt whilst they are rising, in 



