224 THE COMPLETE WILDFOWLER 
Of course, if built with second-hand wheels and springs (say, 
half-worn rully wheels), a wagon of this class might be obtained 
for less. 
In loading up a gunning-punt, put as few things inside the 
punt as possible. Oars, masts, sail, paddles, etc., may travel 
inside the punt, but the gun-case, magazine, boxes, etc., are 
better when lashed alongside the punt. 
The carriage of punts by rail is very expensive ; why, we 
do not exactly know. Probably it is their length that incurs 
extra charge. We do know that the same weight as a punt, 
if stowable, costs a great deal less for carriage than the punt 
does, for an equal distance. A large double punt will be 
charged for at the rate of about 42 10s. per two hundred miles 
in the British Isles. Short distances, up to twenty miles, are 
cheaper travelled by road—at least, as far as our experience 
goes. . 
The punt-shooting sportsman cannot do better than invest 
in a punt-house. A more useful thing to the wildfowler can 
hardly be imagined. In it he has a shelter at all times, when 
necessary, from the inclemency of the weather, a safe and 
suitable storage for the punt gun, and all other gear which, if 
not well and safely housed, soon show abuse from constant 
exposure to the weather and the mauling they from time to 
time receive from inquisitive, prowling ‘‘mouchers.” Genuine 
shore-shooters do not, as a rule, harm punters’ gear; yet 
curiosity often incites them to meddle with and unintentionally 
damage it. On this score we advise not to lock the cockpit 
cover of a punt when left outside, for it is pretty certain to be 
broken open, not with an idea of stealing anything, but out of 
sheer inquisitiveness to see what is inside. Oars, poles, etc., 
should, however, be chained and locked to a ring-bolt inside 
the punt, or, if left loose, they may, on your return, be found to 
have disappeared, if only stolen for firewood ! 
Punt-houses are best built in sections, for then they can be 
