454 THE FOWLER IN IRELAND. 



as they fancy, or occasion demands. The small 

 starboard quarter spur, the aftermost one of all, is 

 for sculling to fowl only. Of all things, avoid fixed 

 rowlocks raised from the decks, or even blocks 

 into which thowl-pins fit. Both plans are equally 

 unsightly, and in the way. To fit spurs, see 

 sketch. This method is neat, simple, and strong. 

 They can be shipped and unshipped in a second, 

 the decks being then level and without projections, 

 always a great thing in many ways. When shipped 

 for pulling, the spurs can be so high that the 

 oars just clear the coaming. From this, therefore, 

 judge their length and height above deck. Each 

 spur requires a safety-cord spliced round its shank, 

 and lead through a hole in the coaming, the 

 inside ends of the cord stopped by tiny wooden 

 plugs, which latter will serve to fill the socket- 

 holes, if the spurs are not in them, as when setting 

 to fowl. The brass plate that separates the collar 

 of the spur from the deck will prevent the latter 

 from being damaged. 



The oars in all punts, especially in single ones, 

 should have pretty stout leathern collars just above 

 their rowing balance, so that they can be let go of 

 and yet hang safely in the spurs, or be taken up again 

 as wanted, when chasing and firing at cripples. 



If the oars are hooked over plain thowl-pins 

 instead of spurs by loops of leather, this same loop 

 will answer for hitching an oar over the little pin 

 on the gunwale to keep the punt to her course in a 

 side-wind, as before described (page 448). 



Some protection from ice may be wanted on the 

 forward part of a punt's sides. Do not affix copper 



