WILD FOWL ON AN ESTUARY WINTER 269 



lazy, or too indifferent to have it launched again. 

 And there it lies through summer sun and winter 

 gale, an object no less picturesque than convenient. 

 So far from being a wreck, its planks are tight ; 

 its cabin is snug, and provided in addition with 

 workable fireplace and chimney. Its main use 

 now is as a shelter to night shooters, who can light 

 a fire and a candle, boil water for tea, and, over a 

 pipe, while away, with many a yarn, the time till 

 the tide makes or the flight begins, in picturesque 

 comfort. 



Should an ugly night come down with no shelter 

 for a mile or two, it is a veritable haven ; and envi- 

 able is he who goes to sleep there to the roaring of 

 wind, the lashing of rain, and the lapping of water. 



Its present occupant was a civil fellow, whose 

 amiable weakness was a preference for sport when 

 such was available, over tamer and less interesting 

 ways of making a living. I found nothing worse 

 about him than that tendency for wandering from 

 the high-road on to the grass, which, in the higher 

 ranks, is known as , Bohemianism. I find such 

 people excellent company, with a pleasant dash of 

 unworldliness about them which affects me as a 

 green place to the eye ; and, moreover, full of curious 

 and fresh information. 



