TOWING-ROPE AND ANCHOR-LINE. 371 



be required ; but it is better not to requre it by 

 using caution at all times, or else supposed 

 security may lead into danger from which there 

 is no escape. 



The towing-rope should be used for towing 

 only, and the anchor-line for its own work. The 

 latter can then be light and take up little space. 

 If used for towing it cannot be depended upon 

 for mooring, unless of much heavier material, and 

 more cumbersome in consequence. A towing-rope 

 need never be carried in the punt, but made fast 

 to the following boat or yacht, ready to throw out 

 to you when wanted. The anchor-line should be 

 a fixture to a cleat on the after-deck, at least as 

 much a fixture as a running-loop spliced to its end 

 will make it, for it may be used to be fastened 

 to the gun some day, and your knife in a moment 

 of peril might be at home. If fastened to the 

 towing - shackle, it is then sure to be wrongly 

 applied. 



A punt built especially for sailing can be used 

 for shooting under few conditions of wind and 

 wave. The ordinary duck-punt will sail well in 

 smooth water with a good breeze two things not 

 often found together and then only when the 

 latter is favourable, or nearly so. She will, how- 

 ever, sail really well with a centre-board fore and 

 aft under the decks ; but for fowling proper, sail- 

 ing, except when making a passage, is not required, 

 and centre-boards but i-n the way.* In shallow 



* A centre-board, whether in a boat or duck-punt used in shooting, 

 must be so made that it cannot come up higher than the floor of 

 the punt. In fact, board and floor of punt must be level when the 

 board itself is up. This is best done by making the board fit its 



B B 2 



