376 THE FOWLER IN IRELAND. 



CHAPTER XXI. 



Following Boats Spring-hook Mud-boards Shoulder-guns Gun- 

 hook Cartridge-bag Pocket-ramrod Punt-guns Recoil 

 Trunnions Breeching Bootjack-gun Recoil-spring Tube 

 and Cap Ignition. 



FOLLOWING boats depend entirely on the nature 

 of the locality in which shooting is intended. If 

 in deep open places, where a trip to sea is now and 

 then undertaken in pursuit of fowl, then a strong 

 serviceable keel-boat is required, one that will tow 

 the punt home out of threatening weather. Her 

 draught in such places is not of much consequence. If, 

 on the other hand, fowling is carried on among mud- 

 flats, and in shallow waters, then the flat-bottomed 

 boat, commonly called a gondola , answers to perfec- 

 tion. She will follow wherever a duck-punt can 

 float, and therefore be of the greatest service in at 

 once assisting to collect cripples. She can be poled 

 across a bank of mud, to cheat the wind or tide, 

 and will moreover, in a good breeze, actually sail 

 over dry level ooze with the punt in tow, and big 

 gun aboard it. She is, if properly managed, a very 

 fair sea-boat, both light and dry, and is able to 

 weather any " jabble " usually to be met on the large 

 lakes and harbours, and, if carefully handled, will ride 

 over short chopping seas that would drench a ship's 

 gig. They are in constant use by fishermen on the 



