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CHAPTER XIV. 

 THE OPEN SEA IN WINTER. 



FEW strangers visit the open coast of Norfolk in the winter for shooting 

 purposes, though the harbours of Lynn and Wells may boast of punts, punt- 

 guns, and all the remaining paraphernalia of the wild-fowler. The reason is 

 not far to seek. The shore-shooter of September, who lightly tramps his 

 twelve or fifteen miles with the certainty of getting shots at Curlew, Red- 

 shanks, Knots, Oystercatchers, and all the other shore birds which then 

 frequent the sands and saltings, knows perfectly well that the best Waders 

 are gone, and that such as remain, being now adults and collected in flocks, 

 are under ordinary circumstances unapproachable ; knows also that the 

 journey to Norfolk is a long and uninteresting one, and has not unreasonable 

 doubts concerning the style of food and lodging which await him at this 

 season of the year. He therefore stays at home, and congratulates himself 

 on his prescience in doing so whether rightly or wrongly remains for the 

 reader to decide. 



Suppose some enthusiast to have survived the tedious journey in dimly 

 lighted carnage from Liverpool Street; suppose that he has arisen uninjured 

 from the clammy embrace of "well-aired" sheets, and triumphantly digested 

 the supper of the preceding night : he sallies forth, not for a shoot along the 

 shore, unless, indeed, mere exercise is his object, or unless he be a collector 

 in pursuit of small birds. No ; the man who means killing in the winter 

 goes down to the nearest inn to find a boatman possessed of a flock of decoys. 

 For the modest sum of five shillings, or thereabouts, he secures for the day 

 the services of the local crack, and proceeds forthwith to the shore. On 

 arriving there one is rather taken aback to see the boat floating at least a 

 hundred yards off, and the tide still coming in. But your companion is equal 

 to the occasion ; a cheerful " with your leave, sir," and he has hoisted you 

 on his back, and is tramping steadily through the water in his waders. 



It should be said at once that the shooter ought to have an eight-bore 

 at the least, and should take a twelve-bore as well for cripples. While your 



