ISO THE COMPLETE WILDFOWLER 



the punter's magazine. Paint the magazine inside and out 

 with red-lead paint — three coats. 



We might have detailed a sketch of a small box made to fit 

 snugly under the after deck and in the stern of a gunning-punt. 

 In this part of the boat a small box is out of the way and 

 occupies space that otherwise could not be utilised. Such a 

 box serves the purposes of an after locker. In it may be 

 stowed rowing crutches, gun hangers, baling pot, etc., when 

 not in use. It need not have the care bestowed on its construc- 

 tion that is necessary with the cartridge magazine. A leather 

 strap should be attached to this to facilitate drawing it out 

 from under the deck. 



Seats in the gunning-punt are, no doubt, necessary articles, 

 if comfort is desired. We might add, however, that fowling 

 craft are not things wherein to expect fireside comforts. The 

 reverse of comfort is generally the case. Many ways and 

 means of rigging up seats in punts might be illustrated ; 

 but, as the whole matter includes so many contrary methods 

 employed by different fowlers, a mere reference must suffice. 

 One of the simplest plans is to rig a board across the punt so 

 tliat the ends rest on blocks fixed to the inside of the boat's 

 side planks in such a manner that it can be shipped or un- 

 shipped. Personally, we use i-inch boards of elm, about 

 i6 in. by 9 in., mounted on oak strips i in. thick, making the 

 seat, so far, 2 in. high. On these boards we place oilskin 

 cushions about 3 in. thick. The cushions are stuffed with 

 oakum. The seat, when complete, is about 4^ in. high. The 

 cushions serve to rest elbows on when laid low in the punt, 

 setting or sculling to fowl. There is also a folding seat for a 

 punt. This is of a well-known type. It is plain and simple. 

 Unlike others of its kind, it has no detached parts. Articles 

 consisting of separable pieces are likely to get asunder or mis- 

 placed in the punt, and cause much inconvenience when 

 required. 



