116 WITH BOAT AND GUIS IN THE YANGTZE VALLEY. 



people in various ways, and otherwise make themselves objectionable by stealing vegetables, 

 &c., &c., thereby creating a hostile feeling against foreigners in the minds of the country 

 people, who are, as a rule, very civil and obliging to sportsmen ; the lowdah should, there- 

 fore, be given to understand that any such conduct on his part or on the part of his crew 

 will be severely punished, and an example should be made of any one of them who might 

 be caught offending. 



Ice Plough. — The following simple method of guarding against damage to the 

 boat by ice is recommended : 



Take two hard-wood planks, each about 8 or lo feet long i8 inches wide, and ij^ 

 inches thick, have them fitted at one end with a strong iron hinge working upon a movable 

 pin ; screw two small eye-bolts into the upper edge of each plank about 2 feet from either 

 end and your apparatus is complete. When ice is about, hinge your planks together and 

 drop them edgewise over the bow, securing them to the guard or rail of the boat by ropes 

 passed through the four eye-bolts, so as to allow their lower edge to be 9 or ID inches 

 under water, thus forming a wedge-shaped ram, which will not only protect the bow and 

 sides of the boat from damage, but will also materially assist in breaking through the ice. 



Passing through ice should always be avoided if possible, but if it is absolutely 

 necessary to go on, the following facts should be borne in mind : — 



It is more injurious to the boat to force her through thin ice than through ice which is 

 moderately thick. In the former case the speed of the boat is greater, and the edge of the 

 ice sharper ; in the latter, it is necessary to have the ice broken by the coolies, the progress 

 of the boat is consequently much slower, and the risk of damage less. 



If orders are given to the lowdah to "hurry on— maskee that ice," he should not be 

 blamed, as is often the case, for any accident that may happen, or for any injury that may 

 be done to the boat. 



The planks when not in use as above can be used as landing-boards. 



Flies are often very troublesome on board shooting-boats ; they can be got rid of at 

 night time when they are asleep on the ceiling, by holding underneath them a wine-glass 

 half filled with brandy or other spirits the fumes of which stupify them and cause them 

 to drop into the glass : thus the boat can be cleared of tlie nuisance in this way in a few 

 minutes. 



TAKING THE FIELD (III). 



In order to the avoidance of a disagreeable wetting both of dog and gun do not take 

 the field until the sun has completely dissipated the rime of the previous night. Take a 

 good survey of the " lay of the country," and always endeavour when shooting in the open 

 over dogs to have the wind in your face. Note well the direction of the wind for in the 

 event of losing your way that knowledge will materially assist you in returning to the boat. 

 Before starting see that you are provided with — 



A couple of dollars. 



A few 5 cent pieces. 



Cartridge extractor. 



Passport. 



