292 THE COMPLETE WILDFOWLER 



merits. If this were not of importance the difficulty would 

 be an easy one to overcome. For trips lasting a few days, 

 vessels fitted with internal combustion engines, like petrol 

 and paraffin motors, are speedy and handy. A motor in a 

 sailing craft, and used as an auxiliary in cases of emergency, 

 would, no doubt, be found at times of valuable assistance. 

 Motor craft of sufficient size to make a wildfowl cruiser, cost 

 a lot of money — a very great deal more than sailing boats. 

 This item is one which, with most shooters, keeps the motor 

 out of reach, and, though it possesses the advantages of time- 

 saving, these are not of so very much account to the wildfowler. 

 Nothing is done in a lightning-flash manner in true wild- 

 fowling. Tides and other matters prevent this. Therefore, 

 the learned fowler works composedly and, apparently, slow. 

 There is no reason for hurry. Plenty of time and there (the 

 right place) at the moment should be the wildfowl shooter's 

 aim. 



Failing a smart yacht, an old smack rigged out for your 

 purpose is not a bad plan. When purchasing or hiring a 

 second-hand ship of this kind see that it is sound ; or, better 

 still, have expert opinion ; for the weather she may have to 

 stand, and the bumping aground or laying up in some hard 

 creeks, may soon knock her to pieces if very old and leaky. 

 In an ordinary way smacks and wildfowling cruisers are not 

 used in the same manner. 



Lastly, but not of least importance, carry a chain and 

 anchor large and strong — beyond doubt of breaking. 



In dealing with the subject of a motor-punt, we must first 

 emphasise that up to the present we are yet unable to con- 

 struct such an article which is absolutely suitable or perfectly 

 adaptable for all purposes of wildfowl shooting. There are so 

 many drawbacks to be contended with in installing motor 

 power to fowling craft, that this cannot be wondered at. 

 However, there is only one course, and that is to persevere 



