154 THE COMPLETE WILDFOWLER 



not absolutely necessary, is nevertheless of use, especially 

 when washing the inside of a punt, if nothing else. There is 

 one thing certain — it can never be said that a well-arranged 

 plug is ever in the way. The plug should be made of brass, 

 with a low, flat, round head, milled on the edge, to give the 

 fingers a better grip to screw it in or out of the nipple fitted in 

 the punt's floor. A thin leather washer makes the joint. 

 Attach the plug to the punt with a short piece of brass chain, 

 then the plug will not get astray. All punts should be furnished 

 with a couple of long i|^in. rope falls, fifteen fathoms each, 

 and two short ones five fathoms each. These are needed to 

 moor the punt or haul her up with, and assist in taking "fleets " 

 with the rope-blocks. 



Other almost indispensable tools, such as a couple of hand- 

 hammers (one light), a couple of prickers, a gimlet, chisel, 

 brace, and a few boring bits, rivet set, a small mallet, and a 

 punching-block for big-gun wads, etc., may be added. But 

 these are very o'-dinary, and, we think, should therefore simply 

 need naming to be included in the wise punter's outfit. They 

 often prevent lengthy repair delays. A few duplicates of punt 

 gear are usually stored. A spare oar, setting-pole, paddle, 

 rowing-crutch, etc., are the chief things to have handy for 

 cases of emergency. A few brass screws, various lengths, and 

 copper rivets with washers should always be kept ready for 

 use in repairing the punt. Remember, in punting as with 

 other things, the old proverb, "A stitch in time saves nine." 

 Punters are continually handling slimy, wet, and muddy 

 articles, and, without a sponge-cloth to wipe the fingers, the 

 unpleasantness of these circumstances will be most thoroughly 

 realised. It is easy for the expert to make a mental picture of 

 the general arrangement of things aboard a double-handed 

 punt. 



The gun is ten feet long over all, and is a two-inch bore 

 B.L. She is mounted in an elevating crutch. Stout breeching 



