WILD-FOWLING IN DRIFT-ICE. 157 



sequences would inevitably prove fatal ; the wind also continuing- 

 heavy, it seemed next to an impossibility to release, or render him 

 any assistance. At length, an admirable scheme was suggested by 

 a gentleman ashore ; this was, to fly a kite over the unfortunate 

 man, and drop him a string, by means of which a rope might be 

 conveyed to him; in which case, it was hoped, he might then 

 be dragged ashore in his punt. The suggestion proved quite 

 practicable, and the plan entirely successful. The adventurous 

 punter gladly hauled on the kite-string until he caught the rope, 

 which he made fast to the stern of his punt : he then sat down in 

 the fore-part, and was thus dragged ashore over the ice, amidst the 

 general rejoicings of a whole village of spectators. 



This same reckless individual was, a few years afterwards, shot 

 in the leg, whilst incautiously hauling his punt ashore, with the gun 

 lying on the head, at full-cock. The jar occasioned by dragging it 

 over some shingle, up the beach, caused the hammer to fall ; and 

 the charge blew his right leg almost to atoms. A peasant saw 

 the melancholy accident ; but before medical aid could be procured, 

 or the poor fellow taken to a house, he bled to death. 



Facts such as these tend to show, more truthfully than anything I 

 can urge, how cautious sportsmen should be of themselves and their 

 weapons, not only when wild-fowling among drift-ice, but indeed at 

 all times ; and they teach us that personal safety should always be 

 the very first and highest consideration. 



