356 THK AUTHOR'S BOAT. 



* 



stranded, especially on a lee shore, she would probably 



stick fast for a while at least, which, to say nothing of 



peril to life and limb, would be very disagreeable. But in :i 



small boat like ours, there should never be more than two 



individuals, one sitting aft to steer and manojuvre her, and 



the other forward with at least two guns. A third person 



is always in the way. For the more ready handling of 



the craft when thus shooting sea fowl, a single sprit-sail 



is perhaps best ; a foresail, or jib, is not only inconvenient 



to manage when putting about in a hurry, but by 



obstructing the sight of the sportsman, is much in the 



way. Small as was our boat, we must nevertheless have 



sailed some thousands of miles in her ; and this not only 



in the Gothenburg and other " Skiirgiirdnr," but in th.- 



open sea ; occasionally, indeed, to a distance of from fifty 



to eighty miles from home. 



i in: nivoUAC. 



During the spring and summer months many were 

 the pleasant trips \\r thus made in the "Sttrgftrd," 



