OULTON BROAD AND NEIGHBOURHOOD 13 



occupants (himself, friend and dog) were all too large a 

 cargo. 



By means of skilful navigation and constant bailing they 

 arrived at the entrance to the river in safety, but as the 

 evening advanced the storm increased in violence, and they 

 would have been wiser had they left their boat at the top 

 of the Broad and walked home. Sportsmen, however, do 

 not know the meaning of the word fear, and Jack was the 

 last to turn back because "white- horses" rolled over the 

 surface of the Broad. He had confidence in his boat, still 

 more confidence in himself, and he ridiculed the bare 

 idea of the suggestions of his companion. Sport having 

 proved a disappointment perhaps made him reckless, or 

 perhaps it was that they had extended their trip as far as 

 Burgh Staithe (two miles up stream), where refreshment 

 was obtainable. Anyhow it was some hours after flighting 

 time before the passage of the Broad was attempted. It was 

 then quite dark and the difficulties of safe navigation con- 

 siderably increased. The storm lashed the water with 

 fury, and rain descended in torrents. It was all they could 

 do to keep the punt end-on to the rolling billows, any one 

 of which would have instantly swamped her had sh been 

 allowed to veer sideways. As fast as they bailed the water 

 out of her more came in from the leaks, the rain and over 

 the bows in the form of spray. They were in the thick of 

 it now, and there was no chance of return, as the fringe of 

 reeds and rands* round the edges of the Broad would 

 hardly admit a landing. " Sorrow's Ham " had been safely 

 navigated, Carlton Ham avoided ; they had only 300 yards 

 to cover before the welcome shore would be gained. They 

 struggled desperately on with their teeth set and straining 

 every muscle of their bodies to reach the haven of refuge 

 and to beat the elements of nature in the unequal contest. 

 Suddenly, to their horror, the boat gave a violent lurch, 

 and immediately filling with water sank under them. When 

 they rose to the surface they saw a light twinkling from 



* Soft, boggy marshland. 



