174 GAME SHOAL-WATER FOWL. 



should never be attempted until the ice is suffi- 

 ciently strong to prevent the possibility of break- 

 ing through. 



As it is sometimes necessary for the wild- 

 fowler to cross weak ice, I will give a few pre- 

 cautions which it will be well for the novice to 

 observe. Keep as close to your boat as pos- 

 sible at all times ; and instead of walking in 

 front of the boat, and dragging it after you by 

 the chain, lay hold of it with the hands on each 

 side, about two and a half or three feet from 

 the stern, and thus push it before you ; then if 

 you break through the ice, you will fall upon 

 the stern of the boat instead of into the water. 

 A light pole six or eight feet in length, 

 with a sharp iron point in the end, is very use- 

 ful on weak ice. The fowler may then remain 

 in his boat, and propel it by pushing the sharp 

 end of the pole against the surface of the ice. 

 If the boat should break through he should stand 

 near the stern so as to lift the bottom of the 

 boat at the bow above the surface of the ice, 

 and either push against the edges of the firm 

 ice with the pole, or use a paddle in the open 

 water at the side of the boat. The boat should 

 then be " rocked " continually to break the ice as 



