272 lewis' AMERICAN SPORTSMAN. 



graded off from the Box on every side to the extent, say of one 

 inch ; this slope, or dip of the deck permits tlie ripple to wash 

 or play over the platform the more securely, having a constant 

 tendency to the edges, instead of the centre, where the Box is 

 placed — the opposite of which Avould be the case if the deck 

 was a dead level. 



The entire edge of the Box is slightly elevated above the 

 surface of the deck — say, an eighth to a quarter of an inch — 

 to this edge the inner rim of sheet-lead is tacked, extending 

 entirely around the Box, and, being very pliable, is raised up 

 at an angle of forty-five degrees, just before launching the Box 

 into its position on the shooting-grounds, which precaution 

 will prevent the ripple from washing into the Box. 



The outer rim of sheet-lead c, c, c, it will be observed, does 

 not extend entirely around the deck, that being totally unne- 

 cessary, from the circumstance of the sea or ripple seldom or 

 never being sufficiently violent to break over the foot or sides 

 so as to endanger the comfort of the Shooter, and, when such 

 should be the case, it is time for the Ducker to decamp for 

 more secure quarters. 



The head of the Battery, it will be seen, has two eight-inch 

 boards, the inner one G, as explained above, is attached to the 

 deck by stout iron hinges i i, made with projecting arms, so 

 that the whole head wing may turn in upon the two side wings 

 which are first folded up when the Box is about being removed 

 from its position. The other frame F is secured to G by strong 

 leather hinges, as well as the balance of the frame to which the 

 canvas is tacked. 



The head of the Battery is always anchored to the breeze, 

 and, as a matter of course, is obliged to sustain the principal 

 shock from the wind and waves, and of necessity is made dif- 

 ferently as well as much stronger than the foot, by the addition 

 of the framework F and g, and which, from their peculiar 

 construction and attachment to the solid platform, opposes a 

 pliable, but at the same time safe resistance to the shock of the 

 waves. 



It is most important to know exactly how to attach the 

 anchors to the Battery, more particularly the one at the head, 

 for without proper precaution on this point the whole machine 



