THE ICE-BOAT 179 



to represent the natural cake. The wash- 

 boards are utilized in the same way, besides 

 being a protection against the washing water. 

 These boats are propelled by paddles, inde- 

 pendent of each other, so that the boat can 

 be steered and turned in a short space. The 

 paddles are enclosed or encased in a projec- 

 tion starting some two feet from the bow, 

 forming a part of the bow, so as not to cause 

 dead or drag water. They are entirely out 

 of sight. The man providing the stern with 

 elbow-grease sits on a box or bag of straw 

 between the handles of the paddles, so low 

 down that nothing can be seen of him, 

 but he has a peeking-place in front of him, 

 while the regular gunner has a seat near the 

 stern, also out of sight when approaching 

 head on. 



The bottom of the boat has to be consider- 

 ably rounded, so that it will [turn easily. It 

 is not necessary to say there must be a bluish 

 white, like snow ice, which clamper ice mostly 

 is. As they draw little water, and conse- 

 quently take small hold of it, they are poor 

 craft to go to windward, when tides and 

 winds are contrary. When starting on a new 



