390 THE FOWLER IN IRELAND. 



balance will probably be in a small gun three feet 

 from the breech, and you then have that awkward 

 length, besides the stock, inside the punt. This 

 tends to push the shooter too far aft, which in a 

 double punt would interfere with his assistant's 

 position, and in a single put her down by the stern, 

 and spoil her proper trim. The exact balance 

 of a punt-gun, when loaded, should be one foot 

 forward of the trunnions ; this will give the shoot- 

 ing balance at about ten inches, as putting the gun 

 forward two inches should give the necessary pre- 

 ponderance to the muzzle (about five pounds). The 

 length from balance to breech should be some two 

 feet four inches, and always less than one-third the 

 total length of the barrel. To carry a heavy gun 

 down a beach to a punt, use two spliced rings of 

 rope about the size of quoits, put the muzzle 

 through one and the stock through the other ; 

 yourself and man can then carry it near the 

 ground, where, if it fall, it would do little or no 

 harm. Two men staggering along over rough 

 ground, with a very big gun on their shoulders, is 

 always precarious. A punt-gun, when not in use, 

 should be put in a painted canvas cover, closed at 

 either end and cut in half, that will lace and overlap 

 in the centre ; but for travelling a wooden one is 

 wanted, which may be made to exactly fit the barrel 

 and stock, and the trunnions can come through on 

 either side. But to do this the lid must padlock 

 down, as if hinges were fixed to it the gun could 

 not be lifted out. This gives a small case instead 

 of a gigantic one, as is commonly seen. A plug is 

 requisite for the muzzle of every big gun, to keep 



