2O Sporting Notes in the Far East, 



CHAPTER IV. 



MILD HINTS. 



N entering the mouth of an unknown river, or creek ; try to 

 get the deepest passage by watching the course of any 

 native junk or boat ; by so doing it will save no end of trouble ; 

 and on returning to the ship in the evening, it will also do away 

 with the risk of spending the night hopelessly stranded on a mud 

 bank, with that jolly combination of circumstances an ebbing 

 tide, and an empty stomach. 



In a strange country, always take away fire-wood in the boat ; 

 anyone may meet with an accident, and no one knows how useful 

 a fire may be, when benighted. It is generally easy to keep a fire 

 going when once well ignited, but it is quite a different question 

 getting dry fuel to kindle it : therefore to save all doubt take the 

 means with you. 



In a boat, when you are likely to get wet ; never leave the ship 

 without a dry shift, in the shape of a big coat, flannel trousers, thick 

 socks, and a pair of shoes. It invariably pays in the long run as 

 rheumatism from exposure, gets hold of a service man quite soon 

 enough ; cold wet nights at sea, &c., when the natural state of 

 things ought to be half a dozen blankets and a warm bed. 



