64 SHOOTING THE DUCK 



the level of the axles, there must be a cross-board 

 not less than 12 inches wide, on which the sportsman 

 places his arms. This board ought to be well padded, 

 or the arms will suffer at once. It is perhaps un- 

 necessary to say that one must use stout knee-pads, 

 unless leather wading-boots are worn. Along the 

 sides, front, and top of the carriage are tightly- 

 stretched strands of strong copper wire, between 

 which the growth which is to screen the occupant 

 may be interlaced. The growth used should, be, or 

 should closely resemble, that of the scene of opera- 

 tions. Do not screen the carriage heavily, and do 

 not arrange the growth to come an inch higher than 

 is necessary. There may be slings inside the frame- 

 work to carry a heavy gun. A creeping-carriage such 

 as I have described, having but little weight to 

 support, can be very slightly built, and is thus easily 

 carried long distances if the gunner hitches it over 

 his shoulder. 



One's muscles soon become trained to the prone 

 position and the creeping movements. The use of 

 the creeping-carriage is often a deadly device if the 

 gunner acts with judgment and caution. On a quite 

 bare coast, screen the carriage lightly with hanging 

 seaweed; never move while a bird's head is in the 

 air; be prepared to devote an hour to one stalk. 



