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at the ford during low water seldom exceeds 

 three feet, but as the flood tide suddenly 

 covers the sands, and renders it almost im- 

 possible to observe the road and avoid the 

 numerous sykes or narrow drains which run 

 in all directions, it is not safe for either 

 pedestrian or horseman to be crossing at 

 such a time. Lives are indeed more seldom 

 lost here than on the sands between Cartmel 

 and Lancaster, yet the carter who has been 

 overtaken by the tide has not unfrequently 

 to unyoke his horse as fast as he can, and 

 leave his car to its fate. Those sands con- 

 tain cockles, and are much frequented by 

 gulls and other sea-birds in search of 

 food. The view, from a little to the south 

 of Broughton, at half-tide when the chan- 

 nels are full and just before the sands are 

 covered, is uncommonly pleasing, and the 

 more so if there be two or three small vessels 

 in the estuary, as there frequently are, de- 

 livering coals or taking in wood. In the 



