CHAPTER XXVII 



NIGHT-PUNTING. 



" Loud were their clamouring tongues as when 

 The clanging sea-fowl leave the fen ; 

 And, with their cries discordant mixed, 

 Grumbled and yelled the pipes betwixt." 



SIR W. SCOTT. 



THERE can be no doubt but night is the time for the punter to fill 

 his boat : then, he may steal upon his victims unseen and unsus- 

 pected : but it requires much practice to enable a novice to become 

 proficient in this art. The midnight punter must be familiar with 

 the different notes, calls, and noises of the aquatic tribe : for by those 

 sounds, and those alone, he will have to be guided as to the spot to 

 which his efforts must be directed ; and when wild-fowl are abundant, 

 as is always the case in hard winters, he will sometimes find himself so 

 surrounded with their noises, as to be in absolute doubt which way 

 to steer. 



In all cases, he must direct his movements according to the posi- 

 tions of light and shade ; that is to say, he must keep his punt on the 

 shady side of the moon, and advance towards the birds with the light 

 shining in his face, when he lies down to use the paddles. By this 

 means, the birds are brought immediately beneath the light of the 

 moon, and can be distinctly seen upon the water by the punter ; who, 

 from his being in the opposite direction, is, with his boat, not visible 

 to the birds ; or, at any rate, but very indistinctly, so long as he 

 keeps in the position indicated. 



The movements of the punter must also be regulated according to 

 the wind ; for it is generally a useless task to attempt running to 

 leeward upon wild-fowl. A side, or slanting, wind may suit ; though 

 the best plan is to work directly in the wind's eye j and, if possible, 

 with a favourable loom at command. 



