292 THE COMPLETE WILDFOWLER 
ments. If this were not of importance the difficulty would 
be an easy one to overcome. For trips lasting a few days, 
vessels fitted with internal combustion engines, like petrol . 
and paraffin motors, are speedy and handy. A motor in a 
sailing craft, and used as an auxiliary in cases of emergency, 
would, no doubt, be found at times of valuable assistance. 
Motor craft of sufficient size to make a wildfowl cruiser, cost 
a lot of money—a very great deal more than sailing boats. 
This item is one which, with most shooters, keeps the motor 
out of reach, and, though it possesses the advantages of time- 
saving, these are not of so very much account to the wildfowler. 
Nothing is done in a lightning-flash manner in true wild- 
fowling. Tides and other matters prevent this. Therefore, 
the learned fowler works composedly and, apparently, slow. 
There is no reason for hurry. Plenty of time and there (the 
right place) at the moment should be the wildfowl shooter’s 
aim. 
Failing a smart yacht, an old smack rigged out for your 
purpose is not a bad plan. When purchasing or hiring a 
second-hand ship of this kind see that it is sound; or, better 
still, have expert opinion; for the weather she may have to 
stand, and the bumping aground or laying up in some hard 
creeks, may soon knock her to pieces if very old and leaky. 
In an ordinary way smacks and wildfowling cruisers are not 
used in the same manner. 
Lastly, but not of least importance, carry a chain and 
anchor large and strong—beyond doubt of breaking. 
In dealing with the subject of a motor-punt, we must first 
emphasise that up to the present we are yet unable to con- 
struct such an article which is absolutely suitable or perfectly 
adaptable for all purposes of wildfowl shooting. There are so 
many drawbacks to be contended with in installing motor 
power to fowling craft, that this cannot be wondered at. 
However, there is only one course, and that is to persevere 
