THE GUXNING-PUXT. 121 



Two- Handed Punts. 



Two-handed gunning-punts, or those constructed to carry two 

 persons, are seldom used at the present day. Many years ago, when 

 the birds were more numerous and less wild than now, two-handed 

 punts were very general. They have too formidable an appearance 

 on the water to allow of much success ; and although manned by two 

 persons, they make slower progress through the water, and are much 

 more sluggish to propel than single-handed punts. One man sits or 

 kneels at the stern, in a most cramped and uncomfortable position, 

 and sculls with an oar, whilst the other lies down to attend the gun ?' 

 and if his arms are long enough to reach across the boat (which must 

 of necessity be much wider than a single-handed punt), he assists 

 with the paddles in propelling the boat towards the birds. 



The advantages of two-handed punts are, that they carry a larger 

 gun than others ; sometimes a full-sized stanchion-gun, which throws 

 from one and a-half to two pounds of shot at a charge, making fearful 

 destruction among large numbers of wild fowl ; and when loaded with 

 mould-shot, they sweep the water from sixty to one hundred and 

 twenty yards, spreading terrible slaughter among the feathered tribe 

 all the way. 



The gun is generally fitted so as to be t( tipped" with the facility 

 of a smaller one ; and flying shots are often made, just as the birds 

 rise from the water, the man at the helm turning the boat skilfully 

 with his oar, in the direction taken by the birds when rising in the air. 

 There is but little use in these days for two-handed gunning-punts. 



B 



