SKIFFS AND SNEAK BOATS. 565 



the main while in quest of a pot shot at the wily can- 

 vas-back of that country. It is greatly to the credit of 

 this boat that it can carry sail. 



In the Illinois River country, and among the sturdy 

 duck hunters who shoot early and late each year there, 

 and therefore meet high waters and often fields or 

 floes of tough, keen ice, we will find another type of 

 boat evolved from such environment. This is the Illi- 



SENACHWINE IRON SKIFF, 



nois River or Lake Senachwine sheet-iron skiff, which 

 all shooters of that region pronounce a boat well 

 adapted to their purposes. This boat is well shown in 

 the cut. It is about 16 feet long, stiff and beamy, and 

 weighs from 75 or 100 pounds to 150. It is sometimes 

 made with airtight compartments, but the natives scorn 

 this model, which is too heavy. The iron skiff must 

 be kept free from a breaking sea. It is valuable when 



