40 SHOOTING THE DUCK 



the mounting and breeching of his swivel-gun. There 

 is little, if any, practical difference. A swivel-gun 

 mounted in the simplest style as the very large 

 majority of guns are lies in a plain crutch, the 

 shank of which turns in a socket in the gun-beam, a 

 curved beam at the after-end of the fore-deck. The 

 elevation of the gun is regulated to the requirements 

 of the shot by means of the gun-rest, which is pushed 

 forwards or drawn towards the gunner according to 

 whether the gun needs laying with less or greater 

 elevation. The gun-rest, like a cue-rest in form, has 

 a head measuring about 8 inches across, the head 

 being flat on the top and having two semicircular 

 cavities cut in the under-part. These cavities fit 

 over the breeching ropes, so that the barrel can be 

 moved from side to side on the rest. The breeching 

 rope passes through a hole in the stem of the punt, 

 and its looped ends are then fitted over the trun- 

 nions. The gun is so balanced in its crutch that the 

 gunner can instantly and without effort tip it with one 

 hand for a flying shot. A downward pull of about 

 6 Ibs. on the stock should balance a loaded gun in 

 the crutch. An elevating gear is largely used, and is 

 at certain times a great convenience, as it enables the 

 gunner to take a shot over intercepting ground which 

 could not be taken without it. The boot-jack' system 



