248 THE COMPLETE WILDFOWLER 



for it is usual for persons to spend a lot of time before they 

 become acquainted with the elementary parts of the game even 

 under careful training. No more could a man fly, than scull 

 a double punt or side-paddle a single one, with sufficient 

 skill to go steadily and successfully to fowl, if he had had 

 no previous experience. Sculling, poling, and paddling a 

 gunning-punt may seem to those who have never tried it, an 

 accomplishment which may be easily attained, but we can 

 state that the fact of the matter is quite the reverse ; for 

 several seasons of practice must be put in before one can 

 claim to be anything like an expert. A gunning-punt is 

 sculled in the same way as an open boat, but the sculling has, 

 perforce, to be done by the operator as he lies flat on his side. 

 This requires a good deal of exertion, and is trying and tiring to 

 the wrist. By dexterous movements of the scull he gains a 

 fulcrum on the punt through the sculling spur. The theory 

 may be better understood by saying that the sculler prises his 

 boat along, with his scull acting on the water as a purchase. 

 The movement of the scull is first flat into the water, though 

 slightly edged to cut below the surface. With a quick turn, 

 the blade is brought at an angle of about 45 degrees to the 

 water-level (this angle at the side from which the last stroke 

 proceeded), and moved in a direction opposite to the apex of 

 the angle in rather a downward course, the sculler at the same 

 time pressing on the handle of his scull. This pressing sends 

 the punt forward. With another quick twist of the wrist, the 

 blade position of the scull is reversed and moved similarly, 

 though opposite in direction to the first stroke. These move- 

 ments, perfectly and quickly repeated, scull the boat. To 

 steer, strength has to be put into a few strokes, which will 

 divert the bow to the proper course. It is very difficult to 

 scull a punt against the slightest opposition of wind, current, or 

 tide. Smooth, still water is always preferable for sculling, 

 otherwise it is very hard work indeed. Side-paddling of 



