370 IMPROVED NEW PLAN FOR A 



the left of his gun, the chances are ten to one that he 

 finds his punt out of " trim." If means of easing the 

 recoil are adopted, the punt may then be made of even 

 lighter materials than the Poole canoe. I need scarcely 

 observe, that a punt, of the same size, which is light, 

 will drown a heavy one; as the latter, for want of 

 " life," labours in a sea, and gets filled ; while the other 

 flies over every thing, without taking in a drop of water : 

 add to which, a light punt may get out of danger, by 

 being hauled across the mud, when the other is obliged 

 to " weather it." But with a TWO hundred pound gun 

 this cannot be done ; and therefore we want a punt that 

 we can " live in." I formerly observed that where 

 nothing but the shoulder had to take the gun, I should 

 prefer my boat principally built of cork, which it would 

 be utterly impossible to sink. One with hoops and 

 canvas would be still better; and, I have no doubt, 

 might be made to answer both for launching and 'float- 

 shooting. 



In approaching birds, the shooter, having nothing 

 else to attend to, may be constantly ready with his gun ; 

 so that, if they fly up, he can always ensure being able 

 to fire before they have risen twenty yards; while 

 another person has only to manage the punt. This he 

 will do by a setting pole, or skulling in a little crotch 

 with a single oar, according to the depth of water. As 

 either the one or the other will be under cover of the 

 front bulwark, they are less visible than working-sticks 

 or paddles at the sides. Paddles on the principle of a 

 bird's foot, and worked inside, would be desirable. 



I have since built a long narrow punt for my single 

 gun, with a rope breeching (as before described under 

 the head of " punt-gun"), that goes through the stem. 



