SEAFOWL SHOOTING SKETCHES. 41 



SEAFOWL SHOOTING ON THE KIBBLE (1886). CANOE 

 VOYAGE TO LANCASTER AND BACK. 



Having: spent a lot of time in doing- up the boat and g-etting- 

 tackle ready, I awaited with impatience the 3ist July. In the 

 afternoon of that day my brother John and our mutual friend, J. 

 K. Heginbottom, turned up, as arranged. We grot off about two 

 o'clock, two other friends, A. Saul and W. Booth, taking: us in 

 tow, beat down stream. After a short time the tow-line slipped 

 at the other end, probably done purposely, and we were left to 

 our own resources. We accordingly pulled away, but finally 

 hoisted the lug sail, and did very well until we grounded just past 

 Freckleton Pool, when I doffed my foot coverings, jumped in, and 

 dragged the boat to the side. 



We then set out for the Guide's House. On the way, on the 

 principle of its being no use carrying coals to Newcastle, we hid 

 our bottle of whisky, depositing the row-locks in the same place 

 ready for morning. Arriving at the house, we ordered a good 

 supper, and then walked round the fields, getting- a few larks 

 and thrushes for practice and the pot. 



Meanwhile, B. and S. made their appearance, S.'s boat drawing 

 more water than ours they had grounded where it was rather too 

 deep to wade, and accordingly had to wait for a punt, which they 

 hired to bring them ashore. When the flood came they went aboard, 

 and, g-etting- up the pool, slept ( ?) in the cockpit. As it rained 

 during- the night, they were not very comfortable. We. not hav- 

 ing- made any arrangements for lodgings, were obliged to sleep 

 three in a bed. We pushed the bedside up to the wall, fixed three 

 chairs along the other side, and thus lay across it. This is not 

 a bad plan, and is worth remembering-. 



At two a.m. I and H. were up, and after taking- a drink of warm 

 water viz., very weak tea or coffee and getting something- to 

 eat, lit our pipes, and sallied forth in quest of the whisky bottle. 

 We overshot the mark, but at length found it, and, after a good 

 drink, turned back. 



Some men having informed us the previous night that there were 

 a lot of dotterels came at break of day round a boat in which 

 they slept, and invited us to come, we endeavoured to find the 

 boat. We did find a boat, and, knocking- against the side, asked 

 if that was the place where the dotterels came. Some one in the 

 forecastle said, " No ; it was further on." We had very little doubt 

 that we were at the right place, but that the men did not wish to 

 be disturbed. 



C2 



