158 13ROADLAND SPORT 



days of the old sportsman referred to above, is hardly the 

 same. 



When our wherry, the commodious Warrior, arrived 

 within sight of Horning Ferry, the sun was sinking into a 

 glorious bed of rose-tinted clouds, before which a thin white 

 curtain of marsh mist was rising, whilst the masts of the 

 numerous craft of all sizes which loomed above it looked 

 gaunt and uncanny because the hulls of the vessels to which 

 they belonged were invisible. The wind, as is customary in 

 Broadland at that season of the year, had died away to a 

 whisper, and the bats and water voles emerged from their 

 gloomy haunts to enjoy an evening meal. 



The quant had to be used freely, and with its aid we 

 gradually crept nearer and nearer to this apparent oasis in the 

 desert of marsh mist which now enveloped us. 



At last we were alongside the other craft, whose respective 

 crews were soon busy preparing dinner and putting up 

 awnings for the night. 



Selecting a berth as near to the green fronting the inn as 

 possible, the rand anchors were secured fore and aft, and we 

 made tracks for the hostelry for a preliminary reconnoitre 

 with sherry and bitters by way of an appetissant. 



The bar parlour is generally crowded with thirsty yachts- 

 men. On this particular occasion two of them were nailing a 

 notice to the wooden partition, headed Le Palais Gaiete de 

 Coeur, and, in effect announcing that a grand concert would 

 be held that evening in the club-room, to which everyone was 

 invited, the terms of admission being a contribution of some 

 kind or other towards the general entertainment. 



When first reading this we wondered what hour would be 

 suggested for ordering the " gigs," but on looking a little lower 

 down a footnote was observable. 



N.B. Should the Landlord of this Hotel produce chuckers-out at the 

 hour of ten, or before, the Concert will be continued on board the 

 Good Ship Nautilus. By order of the Worshipful President, Bacchus 

 Neptune Appolloman, Esq. 



Of course we consented to go to the concert, as did almost 



