84 BROADLAND SPORT 



This is a true sketch taken from one of many suchlike 

 excursions, where the shooters know little or nothing of 

 fowling, but, having gleaned a few hints from some work 

 on the subject, their purse provides the remainder. Yet, on the 

 other hand, when the right men go in a properly-adapted 

 launch, managing her judiciously, with a thought for the 

 morrow, good sport is sometimes obtained, where by other 

 means it would be impossible, although on fairly private 

 water it is always to be deprecated. 



Turn to another and, on the face of it, perhaps more 

 feasible method of fowling afloat, viz., under sail ; though 

 this method likewise, when improperly carried out, is almost 

 as injurious in its results as wildfowling from a steam 

 launch. 



After mentioning that campaigns similar to the one just 

 described are also organised in shrimpers and small sailing 

 craft, with a big gun mounted in the bow, we will take 

 another imaginary flight with the crew of one of the small 

 coasting yachts so often seen anchored at the mouths of our 

 estuaries, for a day or two's fowling, and not being provided 

 with swivel or punt guns, make shift with what sport can be 

 obtained from her deck with ordinary large-bore shoulder 

 guns. As sailing craft are more or less dependent upon tides 

 and weather for their progress, they cannot possibly cover 

 half the "ground," nor bring about one tithe of the injury 

 that a steam vessel invariably accomplishes. Nevertheless, 

 in "gunning" districts, every other manner of shooting is 

 obnoxious and hurtful to the punter's interests except 

 legitimate punting. 



We are on board a small yacht (or, best of all, fishing boat 

 of that class mostly used in the neighbourhood one happens 

 to be in), with a good sportive old salt as gubernator, anchored 

 under the lee of the shore, our party having turned in to bunk 

 earlier than usual to obtain the requisite sleep prior to rising 

 before the dawn, which is by far the best time for duck 

 shooting. We turn out an hour before Aurora shows her 

 first glimmer above the eastern horizon, and, full of ex- 



