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THE LIBRARY

OF

THE UNIVERSITY

OF CALIFORNIA

PRESENTED BT

PROF. CHARLES A. KOFOID AND

MRS. PRUDENCE W. KOFOID

Digitized by the Internet Archive

in 2007 with funding from

Microsoft Corporation

http://www.archive.org/details/broadlandsportOOeverrich

Broablano Sport

a

BROADLAND SPORT

WRITTEN

ILLUSTRATED

NICHOLAS EVERITT

AUTHOR OF

"SHOTS FROM A LAWYER'S
GUN," ETC.

Xonfcon
R. A. EVERETT & CO.

42 ESSEX STREET, STRAND, W.C.

1902

[All rights reserved}

An Edition de Luxe is also issued, demy
ito, printed on specially manufactured
art paper, with Frontispiece and numer-
ous full-page Plates in Photogravure,
limited to 100 copies, each numbered
and signed by the Author, 'price Two
Guineas net.

TO

OUR MASTEE"

-

*r,,,«^.-<iH

A SPORTSMAN OF THE
OLU SCHOOL

<^'

/«« 1

toil

This book has been written with the intention of giving the
reader a trustworthy account and description of the sport
obtained on and around the lagoons, waterways and marsh-
lands of East Anglia, a district which has been known for
many years past by the appropriate name of Broadland.

A great many books have already been published dealing
with the Norfolk Broads and the district, but I trust no
apology is needed for thus adding to their number, for the
present one does not, I venture to affirm, clash with its
predecessors in publication — a somewhat bold assertion truly,
but one which the title of my book seems to justify, as there
has not been, as far as the present writer's knowledge goes,
any previous work dealing exclusively with the sports and
pastimes in this interesting district, though most, if not all, of
the books hitherto published descriptive of this part of the
country contain one or two chapters on the subject. Whether
the contents of the book justifies its title is a matter which
must be left to the kind judgment of its readers.

My facts, I believe, are true to life, and I have endeavoured
to the best of my ability to narrate in the following pages

M3123G6

viii PREFACE

the actual experiences of others as well as myself rather than
any idle thoughts which might be the outcome of a vivid
imagination.

The substance of part of the work has previously seen
the light of day in article form which I have contributed
from time to time to the pages of The Field, Land and Water,
The Shooting Times, Rod awd Gun, and other periodicals and
magazines, and through the kindness and courtesy of the
editors of which I am enabled to reproduce them.

Recognising the fact that this is an age of magazine
reading, I have here and there introduced short stories
founded on fact, in an endeavour to illustrate the better
the peculiarities of Broadland sport, which, to many visitors,
constitute its greatest charm.

I would thank the many friends who have so kindly
assisted me with details and facts not within my own know-
ledge which especially applies to the chapters od yachting.
Amongst them I individualise Colonel H. M. Leathes, Mr
T. M. Read, Mr L. E. Bolingbroke, Mr G. H. Lovewell
Blake and Mr Richard Fielding Harmer, not forgetting an
affectionate parent and a good sportsman of the old school
in my father, Mr W. Spencer Everitt.

I owe a debt of gratitude to Mr Russel J. Colman, Mi-
Edwin Poyser, Mrs A. W. Weldon, Miss M. Pickthall, Mr E.
P. Buckworth, Mr R. Lee Barber, Mr G. M. Chamberlin,
Mr J. J. Dawson Paul, The Rev. H. Rogers, Mr Ralph
Watling, Mr W. S. Parker, Mr H. Johnson, Mr F. Miller,
Mr H. Jenkins and Mr Hubert Palmer, for the loan of
photographs of yachts or relating to yachting. Also
to Mr Herbert Baker for permitting me to reproduce the
curious painting in tempora depicted on page 64.

I am extremely obliged to Messrs G. J. and F. W. Skipper,
Architects, Norwich, for their kindness in supplying me
with the drawing appearing on page 303; also to Messrs

PREFACE ix

Chamberlin & Smith, Norwich, for allowing me to use an
article I wrote specially for them, entitled " Pheasants from
Shell to Shot," which is incorporated in Chapter XXV.

I wish to specially mention Mr A. Cecil Taylor as having
been a willing and painstaking collaborateur in the designing
of several of my ornamental illustrations.

To the title of sportsman I rightly or wrongly lay some
claim, but to the title of artist-author I can hardly aspire, as
my training has been in other channels; should, therefore,
the faults and mistakes in my drawings and in my text
appear too glaring, I trust some consideration will be shown
by my criticisers, when they remember how very few there
are who ever attempt the double work of both writer and
illustrator combined.

Whilst conscious that the merit of a good deal of the
information my book contains is attributable to my friends
I cannot forget that on me alone rests the responsibility for
its publication, and thus I venture to submit it to the generous
consideration of discerning fellow-sportsmen.

NICHOLAS EVERITT.

Norwich, May 1, 1902.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER I
OULTON BROAD AND NEIGHBOURHOOD

General Remarks — Broadland as a Holiday Resort — How to reach It —
Description of the Wherry Inn — Other Inns, Hotels and Accom-
modation— Yachts, Boats and Boat-Letters — Waters accessible —
Situation of Oulton Broad and the Village round Its Shores-
Fishing all the Year round — Oulton Lock and Mutford Bridge — How
to locate Lodgings — The Oulton Broad Gentlemen-of-Leisure — A
Broadland Parliament — Engaging Quarters at the Bungalow —
Self-invited Guests — A Narrative, "Jack Sparrow's Last Voyage"
— Eventide on Oulton Broad . . . pages 1-16

CHAPTER II
FISHING AT OULTON BROAD

Early Morning Perch Fishing on Oulton Broad — The Dismantled Fishing
Craft — Good Sport — "The Point" — General Notes on Coarse Fish-
ing, and where to obtain It — Plan of the Broad, with Explanation
— Pike Fishing — Butt Spearing in a Landspring Drain

pages 17-25

CHAPTER III

EELS AND EEL BOBBING

A Provincialism — Bobbing for Eels — How to make a Bob — How to
catch Lobworms by Night with a Bull's-Eye Lantern — Drawing
Lobworms with Mustard and Water — An Evening's Sport Bobbing
—How to Bob — Three Eels at a Haul— The Sharp-Nosed Eel
(Anguilla Acutorostris) — Eels, 20 lbs. and 25 lbs. in Weight — The
Broad-Nosed Eel {Anguilla Laterostris) — Eels' Habit of travelling
Overland and surmounting Obstacles — Eel Spearing — The Eel
Spear — Eel Spearing through Holes in the Ice — Professional
Sportsmen ..... pages 26-34

xii CONTENTS

CHAPTER IV

SHOOTING AT OULTON BROAD

In Years gone by — The Delusions represented by London Illustrated
Papers — Shooting to be obtained at the Present Day — Punting —
Sport on Lake Lothian — The Snipe Marshes of "Whitecaste" —
Five Hundred to a Thousand Snipe on Wing at Once — A Curious
Bet — A Visitor's Chance of Sport — Redshank Shooting prior to The
Wild Birds Protection Act (1880)— Redshanks as Food— Habits of
Redshanks — How and where They nest — Their Artfulness in
luring One away from their Young — Shooting over Decoys — A
Professional Sportsman .... 'pages 35-40

CHAPTER V

DECOYS AND HOW TO USE THEM

Decoys generally — "Wakes," how made and used — Using Decoys in
" Wakes," and how to set Them out — The Use of Decoys to Punts-
men — Tubbing with Decoys — Decoying from a Float or Raft —
Decoying from an Ambush or from Screens — Decoying on Land and
on Stubbles — The Best Gun to use, and Loads — Different Kinds of
Decoys — Stuffed Birds — Position of the Birds — Ingenious Devices
for making Decoys with Dead Birds — Floats for Decoys used on
Water — Swedish Model — Different Kinds and Shapes of Floats —
How to make Them — Canvas Decoys —Wooden Decoys and how
to paint Them — American Decoys worked on a Pivot — India-
rubber Decoys — Collapsible and Metal Decoys — A Flapping Decoy
— Live Decoys — An Amusing Incident of Decoying in Spain —
Trained Decoys in Holland — The Huttier System — How to place
Decoys — How to anchor Decoys and the Different Methods of
Anchoring — Automatic Moveable Decoys — An American Patent
Decoy — Dogs as Decoys — The Most Attractively-coloured Dog and
how to train It — Decoying Lapwings — Decoying Ducks on Water
with a Dog — An Eccentric Dog — Decoying Wildfowl with Calls —
The Language of Wildfowl — Calling Lapwing — Best Boats for
Decoying Purposes — Guns — Pull of Triggers — Weight of Guns — The
Shots to take and the Shots to refuse — Cleaning Guns — The
Actions of Wildfowl as affected by Decoys — When to Shoot —How
to handle Cripples — The Certainty of the Lure . pages 41-64

CONTENTS xiii

CHAPTER VI

OULTON BROAD TO GREAT YARMOUTH

The Hire of a Pleasure Wherry — Description of the Warrior — Hiring
— Sailing over Oulton Broad and Fishrow — Bream Swims near the
Old Skeleton Mill— The Water Bailiff and His House-boat — Flixton
Broad — Flighting Grounds — St Olave's Abbey — Sportsmen's
Quarters — Fritton Lake — Burgh Castle — A Marsh Tavern — The
Berney Arms — The Dickey Works — Smelts — Breydon Water —
Sport on Breydon — Fishing at Great Yarmouth — Sea Shooting from
Shrimping Boats — A Specimen of the Asiatic Plover — Where and
how to obtain Good Sea Shooting . . . pages 65-76

CHAPTER VII

WILDFOWLING AT SEA

A Wet Day — At Home on the Warrior — A Veteran Wildfowler —
Interesting Debate — Preliminary — The Habits of Wildfowl upon a
Tidal Estuary — How to work and handle a Shooting Ground —
Wildfowling Afloat — A Trip in a Steam Launch — A Trip in a Small
Coasting Yacht — Judging Distance over Water — Approaching
Fowl at Sea under Sail — A Wildfowl Battue and how It is con-
ducted— Anecdote concerning a Dangerous Wildfowl Shooter— A
Duck which sank •(!) ..... pages 77-90

CHAPTER VIII

PUNT-GUNNING

A Wildfowling Heretic Converted — Punt-Gunning — Approaching Fowl —
Knowledge required for Punt-Gunning — Effect of the Weather on
Fowl — The Four Periods of Working — Morning Punting — Pre-
dictions on the Weather obtainable at Daybreak — How to Stow a
Punt — An Imaginary Trip in a Punt— A Successful Shot — Duffer
in a Punt — A Deceptive Smee — Successive Shots at Dawn —
Cannibalistic Gulls— Two Amateurs Punting, One a Skilled Hand
and the Other a Duffer — Mid-Day Punting — Evening Punting —
Punting by Night — Launching — Feeling for Fowl with the Oars —
The Danger of Icefloes — Ubiquitous Wildfowlers — Punting in a Fog
—The Confidence Trick .... pages 91-101

xiv CONTENTS

CHAPTER IX

CURRES AND SHORT-WINGED FOWL

Origin of the Term — " Curres " as Food — Different Varieties — How They
Feed and the Noise They make when Feeding — Flocks of Thousands
found in the Roadsteads off Broadland all the Year round — Tufted
Ducks — Pochards — Pochard-grass — "Curres," not to be taken by
Decoymen— Snaring and Netting on the Feeding Grounds— Pochards
Breeding in Broadland — Pochards as Food — Their Difference in
Feeding in Contradistinction to Long-winged Fowl— Scaups— An
Exception to the Rule "to always Punt up-wind" — How to Punt
to " Curres " — Tough Birds — Disappointing Shots — " Ducking to the
Flash" — A Boon to Young Puntsmen . . pages 102-107

CHAPTER X

WILDFOWLING COSTUME

Mr Fielding Harmer's Costume — A Cap or a Sou'-wester — How to cure
Cold Hands — Anecdotes told by Mr Harmer — Stalking Horses —
Using a Cart for Shooting Geese — Using Real Horses for Stalking
and how to train Them — Artificial Horses and how to make
Them — How to approach Birds with a Stalking Horse — An
Awkward Predicament — The Semi-Stalking Horse and how to
make and use It ..... pages 108-115

CHAPTER XI

SHORE SHOOTING

' Shore Snobbers " — Equipment —Indifferent Sportsmen — Following the
Tide — Tubbing — A Scotch Professional Tubber — Blinds — The
Packing of Birds on the Top of the Tide— The Habits of Birds on
Small Estuaries— The Gun Carriage — Beating the High Water
Mark — Probable Bags — Queer Bags — A Right and Left at a Seal and
a Wren — An Ingenious Device for Shore Shooters — Shore Shooting
from a Boat — A Tip for Sculling Dinghys — Punting as against
Shore Shooting ..... pages 116-122

CHAPTER XII
FLIGHTING

The Morning Flight — Bungling — The Importance of keeping a " Lead-
in " — Screens — The Start — Shooting — Collecting the Birds —
Working Outskirts — An Evening Flight — Comparisons — Habits of
Wildfowl during Frosty Weather — A Flighter's Dog and Its Train-

CONTENTS xv

ing — Clothes — Moonlight Flighting — Flighting Inland — Positions
to Select — Snipe and Plover at Flight — A Peculiarity of Duck and
Mallard — An Instance of Flighting during the Daytime — Flighting
on Tidal or Salt Waters— Effect of the Tide on the Flight-
Deprecation of Shooting out of Range — Decoy Flighting Pools —
The Improvement They make to an Estate — How to shape
Them — How to make Them — Half-bred Decoy Ducks and Their
Use — How to establish a "Lead-In" — The Secret of Success — How
to properly work a Decoy Flighting Pool and the Sport obtained —
Wariness of the Half-bred Fowl . . . pages 123-140

CHAPTER XIII

GREAT YARMOUTH TO HORNING

Leaving Great Yarmouth — Sailing to Acle — "Muckfleet" — Flighting
Lapwings — A Jumping Pole for Dykes — Angling at Acle — Upton
Broad — Snaring Ruffs — Thurnmouth — St Bennet's Abbey — Perch
Swims — Marshland Shooting — The South Walsham Group
of Broads — Broadland Life at the Close of Day — The Ean worth
Group of Broads — A Day's Shooting round Ran worth Swamps

pages 141-1.53

CHAPTER XIV

A RIVER YACHTING RESORT

Shooting on the River — Flighting Ground near Horning — A River
Yachting Resort — Horning Ferry — A Sportsman of the Old School —
An Enormous Pike— Country Dances in the Kitchen — An Impromptu
Concert — How a Quarrelsome Tourist was Sobered — " A Shooter's
Confession, or The Gun with the Bent Stock " . pages 154-171

CHAPTER XV
HORNING TO THE SOURCE OF THE BURE

Quitting Horning Ferry— Ho ! John Barley Corn — A Time-honoured
Custom — Horning Village— Beeston Old Hall — Shooting a Wood-
cock in Mistake for a Rat — A Distinguished Poacher and His
Defence— The Futile Efforts of "The Norfolk Broads Protection
Association of London" — Contemptible Shooters in Broadland and
Outrages upon Dumb Creatures — Large Perch — An Acrobatic
Young Lady — Caution on carrying Guns in Rowing and Sailing
Boats- — Hoveton, Salhouse and Wroxham Broads — Anglers' Quarters
— Col tishall— Buxton and Alysham — A Broadland Trilby, or A
Reverie of Youthful Days by Mead and Stream. pages 172-187

xvi CONTENTS

CHAPTER XVI

HICKLING DISTRICT
Tributaries of the Bure — The Thurne or Hundred Stream — Womack
Broad — Potter Heigham — A Queer Signboard — Monster Pike —
Hiekling Broad— The Annual Coot Shoot — An Amusing Incident —
Sailing on the Ice, and Iceboats — A Sporting Divine — An After-
dinner Yarn, "Ratting at a Water Kennel, or A Night with a
Drunkard" ... . . . . pages 188-197

CHAPTER XVII
HORSEY DISTRICT

Horsey Mere — Martham Broad — Coarse Fishing on Heigham Sounds —
General Description of the Neigbourhood — A Day's Rough
Shooting in the Flegg Hundreds on the Hiekling Level

pages 198-206

CHAPTER XVIII
THE WAVENEY VALLEY

The Waveney — Burgh St Peter's and Its Quaint Old Church — A
Sporting Parson — Seven-mile Carr — Barnby Broad — Carlton
Level — A Stilted Plover — Beccles — Geldston and Ellingham
Locks — A Sporting Lock-keeper — Large Fish — A Curious In-
scription — Bungay . Lock — The Ruins of Mettingham Castle,
Bungay — "A Broadland Poor's Marsh" — The Decimation of a
Colony of Reedfauvettes — " Snookey " — A Moving Bog

pages 207-218

CHAPTER XIX

THE YARE VALLEY
The Yare — Haddiscoe Cut — Large Flocks of Plover — How and when
to shoot Them — Regular Formation in Flight of Golden Plover — :
A Peculiar Habit — Au Amusing Experience — Grey Plover —
Habits of Plover — Egging — Enormous Egg Gatherings— Marvellous
Cleverness of the Egg Gatherers — Plover Netting — Shooting —
Calling — The Farmers' Friends — Reedham Village and Ferry —
Hardley Cross and the diet — Cantley — Buckenham, Hassingham,
and Rockland Broads — Twelve Hundred Snipe in One Season —
The Shooting on the River — Brundall and Coldham Hall— Surling-
ham Broad and Ferry — Bramerton Woods End — The Devil's
House— The Prettiest Village in England— Quaint Old Norwich—
The Upper Reaches of the River and the Sport They afford —
By egone Days— " Toper's " Trial . . pages 219-237

CONTENTS

CHAPTER XX

YACHTS AND YACHTING DURING THE PAST

1800 to 1880

The Pre-eminent Sport of Broadland- -Waters accessible — Regattas a
Hundred Years Ago — An Ancient Yarmouth Custom— From 1800
to 1840 — The Old Maria and Her History — The Augusta, a Yacht
130 Years Old — Yachting in the Forties — A Scene at Wroxham —
Fighting for the Cup — A Stern Chase — Prominent Lateeners and
Cutters— In the Fifties— Racing Cutters— The 1840 to 1860 Model
— Rigging — Lateener, or Fore and Mizzen, Rig — Advantages and
Disadvantages of the Lateen Rigged Craft — Cranks — The Bermuda —
The Experiment — A Curious Method of Boatbuilding — An Amusing
Incident— Summary from 1840 to 1859— The First Yacht Club in
Broadland and Its Fate — Origin of the Norfolk and Suffolk
Yacht Club — New Measurements and Time Allowances — Result
of the New Rules — Promoters of the Club — First Meeting and
Officers — History of the Burgee and Ensign — Annual Fixtures
— Classification of Yachts — Length of Course — Prizes — Inauguration
Meeting — Big Race — Entries — Mishaps — Result — Triumph of
Cutters over Lateens — In the Sixties — Commodores of the Club
from 1859 to 1902— The Club House— Prominent Racing Yachts,
Red Rover I., Her Career and Race for the Prince of Wales' Wedding
Cup — Sliding Keels— An American Boat — Burgh Water Frolic —
Ancient Customs and Distinguished Patronage — Procession of
Boats — City Fathers on the Razzle-dazzle — A Curious Coincidence
— After Twenty Years— Substitution of the Name "Regatta" for
" Water Frolic " — Disappearance of the Lateen Rig — Big Cutters —
Classes in the Seventies — Prominent Yachts — Ocean Yacht Racing
— Yachting on the Coast — Origin of the Yare Sailing Club — Its
Promoters — First Meeting and Officers — Its Commodores from
1879 to 1902— The Largest Sailing Club in the World— In the
Eighties — Origin of the Hirecraft Pleasure Wherries and Pleasure
Barges ....... pages 238-273

CHAPTER XXI

YACHTS AND YACHTING DURING THE PRESENT

1880 to 1900

Prominent Racers from 1882 to 1887— Origin of the Great Yarmouth
Yacht Club — Its Promoters — First Meeting and Officers — First
Regatta— The Jubilee Gold Challenge Cup — List of Commodores —
In the Nineties — Amateur Crews — The First Successful Rival

b

xviii CONTENTS

from Other Waters — Prominent Builders and Their Boats — Decline
of Large Yachts— Racing Machines — The Gossip and Her Followers
— Successful Boats — Dinghys and Dinghy Racing — Origin of the
Broads Dinghy Club — Its Object and Officers — Origin of the
Waveney Sailing Club and Its Objects — Classifications in the
Various Clubs — The Rating of Yachts and how arrived at —
A Formula with Example — Measurement Fees — The Wroxham
Week, Past and Present — List of Annual Regattas and Sailing
Fixtures— How the Admiralty Warrant was obtained for the
Norfolk and Suffolk Yacht Club — The Royal Warrant— Hoisting
the Colours, and the Celebration Dinner— The New Club House

pages 274-306

CHAPTER XXII

UNDER THE LEE OF THE NORFOLK SANDHILLS

A Pressing Invitation— A Cold Drive and a Welcome Haven — An
Important Mission — A Sunday Morning — Volunteering for Church
Service — Bell-Tolling Extraordinary — A Broadland Service — The
Interior of the Church — The Rector — Pike Fishing — Waterfowl —
Shooting under the Lee of the Norfolk Sandhills — Description of
the Country — Exciting Sport — The Advantages of a Gun-Sling —
A Mirage — Returning Homewards . . . pages 307-316

CHAPTER XXIII

TENCH TICKLING

A Quiet Sail— Disturbing a Poacher at Work— A Surly Customer— The
Soothing Influence of Beer— Ways that are Dark and Tricks that
are Vain— Tench Tickling— Its Originators— The Best Time, Place
and Methods of practising the Art— Compared with Trout Tickling
—Abundance of Tench in Broadland— How to take Them in Bow-
Nets— "Doctor Fish"— How to prepare and cook Them

pages 317-323

CHAPTER XXIV

PIKE AND PIKE FISHING

Pike Fishing in Broadland— The Best Time to Fish— Voracious Appetite
— Poaching Devices — Liggers or Trimmers — Night Lines and
Crotch Stick-Trimmers — Snaring — Spearing by Night — Large
Baskets taken with Rod and Line — The Best Centres — An
Amusing Tug-of-War between a Gander and a Pike— Professor Day
— Methods of Angling — Bait— Landing-Nets and Gaff's — A Day's

CONTENTS xix

Pike Fishing— Arrival at the Farm — Approaching the Broad —
Description of the Broad — The Start—Two Pike at Once — Landing
Pike — Snap-Tackle Fishing with Two Rods— Losing a Fish from
One Rod and taking It on the Other — Attacked by a Pike in the
Boat — Pike attacking a Bather — Pike Piscivorous, Carnivorous,
Hominivorous and Omnivorous — Pike taking a Bait hanging over
the Water ...... pages 324-334

CHAPTER XXV

PHEASANTS FROM SHELL TO SHOT

A Chat about Pheasants from Shell to Shot — The Keeper's Cottage
— John Balls — A Ramble round the Coverts — How and what
to Plant in Coverts — Pheasant and Partridge Feeders — A Rough
and Ready Manner of catching Pheasants — The Mews — An
Interesting Conversation — Poachers and the Handling of Them
— Contempt for the Law and how to do without It — Artful
Dodges — Hatching and Rearing Pheasants — Egging — Setting —
Incubation — Rearing Grounds — Food — A Good Motto — Water —
Gapes — Shooting — Difficulties of Organising a Shoot — The Different
Shots offered — The Shot most desired — Beaters and Their
Marshalling — A Good Epigram— The Shoot — A Starlight Walk

pages 335-353

CHAPTER XXVI

OTTER HUNTING EXTRAORDINARY

Otter Hunting in Broadland — A Curious Advertisement — A Most
Remarkable Pack of Hounds— We'll all go a-Hunting To-Day —
The Start — A Village Wiseacre gets a Ducking — Gamekeepers
killing an Otter— The Find— Fulf Cry— The Death— The Finale

pages 354-360

APPENDIX

The Origin of Fish Preservation in Broadland

Norfolk and. Norwich Anglers' Society — Promoting an Act of Parlia-
ment— Yare Preservation Society — Norfolk and Suffolk Fisheries
Act, 1877— Constitution of Board of Conservators — The First Board
— The Norfolk Fisheries Preservation Association — Appointment
of Water- Bailiifs — The National Fish Acclimatisation Society—
The Norwich Fishery and Other Exhibitions — Amalgamation of
Preservation Societies — Presidents of the Yare and Bure Pre-
servation Society — Finance , pages 361-368

xx CONTENTS

Norfolk and Suffolk Fisheries Act, 1877 . . "pages 368-372

Bye-Laws made by the Board of Conservators appointed under
the Norfolk and Suffolk Fisheries Act, 1877 pages 372-376

Local Application of the Salmon and Fresh Water Fisheries
Acts, 1861 to 1886 .... pages 376-377

Tables of Distances ..... pages 377-378

Table of Tides ...... page 378

River Tolls, and how Levied .... pages 379-380

Bye-Laws of the Great Yarmouth Port and Haven Commissioners
for Registration, Numbering, Regulating and Control of
Pleasure Vessels using the Rivers Yare, Bure and Waveney,
and for Other Purposes . . . / pages 380-384

Index ....... pages 385-393

THE AUTHOR S DEN

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

Curres and Short-winged Fowl .

Sporting Trophy ....

A Sportsman of the Old School (Dedication)

Belaugh Church (Preface)

The Author's Den (List of Illustrations)

Oulton Lock and the Old Wherry Inn .

Some Members of a Broadland Parliament

Eventide .....

A Leviathan (Perch)

Sketch Plan of Oulton Broad

Butt Spears ....

Broadland Talismans

How to catch Lob Worms by Night

Bobbing at Night

Eel Spears

An Fiel-Spearer at Work

A Cockney Wildfowler ("Any duck abart ? ")

Breaking open a "Wake"

Fig. I.— Stale or Artificial Decoy Duck

Fig. II. — Stale or Artificial Decoy Duck

Fig. III. — Stale or Artificial Decoy Duck

Fig. IV. — Stale or Artificial Decoy Duck

Frontispiece

'Title page

v

vii

xxi

1

6

16

17

21

23

25

26

30

33

34

35

41

47

48

48

49

XXII

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

Fig. V.— Stale or Artificial Decoy Duck

Fig. VI. — Stale or Artificial Decoy Duck

Fig. VII. — Stale or Artificial Decoy Duck

Water Fowl (from a Painting in tempera by Jan Weenix. 1640-1719)

Sunset ....

Below-Deck Plan of "Warrior"

The Wherry "Warrior"

On the Putty

Puntsmen's Houseboats on Breydon

Working Bees

The Old Ship run on Breydon .

A Puntsman Spying

Laying-to Geese .

The Cripple-Stopper in Action .

The Old Gunner .

Scaup ....

Ready for Launching

Not such an Ass as He looks .

Mr Richard Fielding Harmer in Punt-gunning Costume

Fig. VIII.— An Artificial Stalking Horse

Fig. IX. — A Ho(a)rse Voice

A Pricked Teal .

Tubbing on an Estuary

Shore Nets at Wells

Before the Reckoning

Ground Plan of a Decoy Flighting Pool

In Medias Re(ed)s

A Jumping Pole .

Ranworth Great Broad

Maison D'Eau

A Skeleton Watermill

Shooting round the Hovers

A Thames Punt fitted for Picnic-Cruising in Broadland

An Upper Reach .

Molly, the Broadland Trilby

Navigating the Shallows

" Tim " .

A Dab-Chick

Frozen out

Burgh St Peter's.

Fishrow or Oulton Dyke

In the Reed Swamps

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

xxin

Yacht Racing at Harwich

The "Waveney Queen".

Colonel H. M. Leathes on Cruise

The Last of the Cruising Fleets under Commodore H. M. LeatheB

The Gipsy Life of Broadland

The Larboard Watch .

Lateeners Racing on Wroxham Broad .

The " Maria" on Barton Broad

Wroxham Regatta, 1868 (From an Old Painting)

The Eleven-Tonners Starting from Fixed Moorings, with Jibs down

on Oulton Broad
Some Members of the Royal Norfolk and Suffolk Yacht Club

including Three of its Founders .

"Hilda," "Lake Lily" .....

" Wanderer I.," " Lethe " ....

The "Maud" ......

The Old Type of Sixteen-Footers Racing on Burgh Flats
The "Mars" ......

" Waveney Queen ".....

The Start ^

The Finish /

The "Wasp" .

The"Kiama" .

The "Rambler" .

Below-Deck Plan of the

A Friend in Need (The

Wherries Racing on Wroxham Broad

The "Retort" .

The " Sayonara"

"Wanderer II." .

"Castanet"

" Talisman I."

"Talisman II." .

The "Silver Star"

The "Bonnie" .

The Dinghy "Castanet"

The " Vixen" .

"Checkmate"

The "Unit"

Clearing the Course

Dinghies Starting

The Acle to Wroxham Race, showing Forty-three Starters to One Gun

"Memsahib" ........

Rambler
Alda ")

PAGE

219
232
234
236
237
238
2-10
245

248

250
254
256
258
260
262
263
( 265
I 265
267
269
271
272
273
274
275
277
279
281

286
286
287
287
289
290_
21)2
21)2
292
292

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

PAGE

"Playmate," "Checkmate," "Dream" ... . . 292

"Challenge," " Sticklebat "

293

" Zingara" . . . . .

'_>:•:'>

Cruisers Starting .....

29&

"Lady" ......

293

"White Wings," "Bugler"

293

" Memsahib," " Checkmate"

29.-,
295

"Bodagh," "Vixen" ....

The "Frolic" ....

298

The " Windflower" ....

300

The Cruiser " White Wings " .

300

From the One Design Class

301

The Old and New Premises of the Royal Norfolk and

Suffoll

^ Yach

t

Club .....

303

Lowestoft Yacht Basin and Pier on Regatta Day

306

Wintry Snap-shots ....

307

A Quiet Corner .....

317

Tench Tickling — A Poacher at Work .

319

A Forecast of Promise ....

324

Professor Day .....

328

The Fishing Box at Buckenham Broad

334

A Gamekeeper's Cottage

335

A Rustic Feeding House

338

A Covered Weasel Trap ....

339

The Watch House ....

343

"Sic Transit Gloria" ....

350

"Brat" ......

353

"Spot" ("Who said rats?") .

354

1)

OULTON LOCK AND THE OLD WHERRY INN.

CHAPTER I

OULTON BROAD AND NEIGHBOURHOOD

In these days of progression steam offers such facilities to
sportsmen that a trip can be taken to almost any part of
the world without an absence of undue length, whilst few
are the happy hunting-grounds left unexplored or un visited.
But why is it that those who can often ill afford it travel
so far, and incur so much expense for their sport when they
have, within a few hours of the great Metropolis, a veritable
paradise to the lover of the rod and gun — namely, Broadland.
Let us then for the moment imagine that we are worried by
the smoke and bustle of the greatest city in the world, that
we are sighing for pure air and change of scene, that we
wish to leave the cares, the responsibilities, the troubles
and anxieties of the daily routine of life far behind, that we
wish to enjoy a brief respite which will improve our health,
give pleasure and enjoyment, and send us home again with
renewed life and energy.

Where shall we go ? Where can we humour our wayward
fancy within the limits of our purse-strings ?

2 BROADLAND SPORT

The answer comes as a gentle whisper from the murmuring
sea, from the sighing reeds, from the vast expanse of hazy
marshes, from the most health-giving resort of the United
Kingdom — from " Broadland."

There amusement, pleasure and sport are offered to all.
No matter what the hobby may be, or how small a sum at
our disposal, Broadland will meet it, and Broadland will
provide unlimited interest alike to all comers, rich or poor.

We will then (in imagination) turn our faces towards this
promised land, visit its most noted centres, staying for the
while where sport can be found, and travelling further afield
as the spirit listeth. We will note all we see and hear,
chronicling the result of our researches.

There cannot be two opinions as to the best train service
to Broadland, so, starting from Liverpool Street with all our
paraphernalia and gear enough to stock a small retail
sporting establishment, we book a ticket to Carlton
Colville, a small station two miles from Lowestoft (the
terminus), where we eventually arrive after a three hours'
journey and one stop at Ipswich.

Carlton Colville is part of the village of Oulton Broad,
and but a hundred yards from the water itself. Should the
train not stop and run through to the fashionable watering-
place, what matter, it is only a live minutes' run, and a cab or
a pony-cart will cover the return distance in twenty minutes
for the reasonable sum of 2s. 6d.

The village is well provided with accommodation for
visitors. " The Wherry Inn " has almost irresistible charms
to offer. The snug little parlour, overlooking the Broad, is
a mass of curiosities and trophies of fish, feather and fur;
not a spare inch is available; the walls, the tables, the
mantelpiece, are all full, and if the day is wet the visitor
can amuse himself to his profit and advantage. He will find a
facsimile of Pegotty's hut built in miniature from wood taken
from the original ; specimens of fish of all species that frequent
the neighbouring waters, the like of fowl, and a hundred and
one little nicknacks which must be seen to be appreciated.

OULTON BROAD AND NEIGHBOURHOOD 3

The best rooms overlook the Broad, and there is no
pleasanter spot in the village for the dust-stained traveller
than the recesses of a deck chair on the balcony, from which
can be seen the ships in Lowestoft Harbour, the shell-fish-
gatherer on Lake Lothian flats, and the motley fleet of all
sizes, shapes, and rigs of sailing craft that float upon the
bosom of Oulton Broad. The sunsets to be seen from this
coign of vantage are unrivalled in England. They are quaint
and peculiar to themselves, they awaken feelings and instincts
in the meditator, they incite the poet and are dangerous to
the would-be bachelor in the attractive company of the
opposite sex. After sunset, in the cool of the summer's
evening, the visitor can take boat and paddle round the yachts,
where he will find plenty of life and activity, or he can
turn his footsteps to the arcadian bowling - green and
participate in the ancient game, or watch its varyings from
secluded arbours and leafy bowers.

This word-picture may seem extravagant, but it is not
overdrawn.

Then there is " The Commodore Inn," which is also situ-
ated on the shores of the Broad. This is not so pretentious
an establishment, but it is none the less comfortable.
" The Lady of the Lake " also takes in visitors, but " The
AVaveney " is a more modern inn, with stabling and yachting
requisites.

Pleasure boats of all kinds are as numerous as the rowing
boats on the waters in the London parks, and one can, at the
shortest notice, charter any craft from a sea-going yacht (sail
or steam) to the tiniest rowing boat afloat. To all the hotels
fishing boats and punts, with professional watermen are
attached. Besides these there are many who get their living
by letting small craft.

The village, which some facetious wag has nicknamed
" Little England," and by which name it is locally known,
consists of some three thousand or more inhabitants, and offers
much accommodation to choose from. Lodgings, clean, cheap
and comfortable, are found in plenty, from well-furnished semi-

4 BROADLAND SPORT

detached villas to the more humble cottage ; from a guinea a
room per week to half-a-crown. If this does not suit, the
more adventurous and hardier visitor can find quarters on a
houseboat or a fishing smack for practically nothing at all,
although it may be open to doubt whether there are many
who would be so inclined to embrace such opportunities.

The situation of Oulton Broad is unrivalled. The
Waveney and the Yare, two of the principal rivers of Norfolk
and Suffolk, supply its vast expanse, and the Bohemian
tourist has several hundred miles of waterway lying before
him, all of ready access. To the north is Oulton Broad
Station, on the direct line from Norwich and Great Yar-
mouth to Lowestoft. To the south Carlton Colville Station
as before mentioned. At the easternmost extremity of the
Broad is situated Oulton Lock, which separates the fresh
water from the salt. Beyond this lock lies Lake Lothian,
once part of the Broad itself, but disconnected from it
about fifty years ago by a lock. Trains run to and from
Lowestoft every half -hour during the season, and almost
every hour during the winter. There are several roads and
pleasant footpaths to Lowestoft, and the distance can be
covered by rail in a few minutes, on foot in half-an-hour, in a
pony car in fifteen minutes, and by a rowing boat in twenty
minutes. Lowestoft is too well known to need any description,
except as regards the sport the town affords, which will be
dealt with hereafter.

The fishing on Oulton Broad is distinctly good, and no
matter at what season of the year the locality is visited, sport
of some kind or other can always be obtained. During
January, February and March, pike are on the feed, and good
sport is assured unless ice prevents angling. Should this
be so there are always large " wakes," or open places, left
by the ice-gatherer ; the ice-harvest being looked forward to
by the poorer inhabitants, who might otherwise go without
creature comforts during the winter months. The fish resort
to these open places for air, and good baskets are made by
those who are enthusiastic enough to brave the cold and try

OULTON BROAD AND NEIGHBOURHOOD 5

their luck. During April and May little angling is done ; at
the same time, it is not prohibited, and is free to all. In June,
July, August and September, perch, roach, bream and dace
bite freely, and can be caught until the angler tires of pulling
in the fish. From October to Christmas pike generally claim
attention in preference to other fish.

But to return to our imaginary wanderings. We arrive
at Carlton Colville Station, where the baggage and kit is
left to the care of the obliging stationmaster, whilst tempor-
ary lodgings are sought.

We can hardly be called entire strangers to the locality,
having visited it before, and profiting by experience we waste
no more time than is necessary, but take the road straight to
Mutford Bridge, a structure spanning the lock which divides the
parish of Oulton from the parish of Carlton Colville. The first
bridge built was supposed to have been constructed of timber
from Mutford Wood (probably a contraction of Mud-ford),
which is one of the largest coverts for miles around, and
celebrated for its excellent shooting. This wood lies four or
five miles to the south of the lock. As a natural sequence,
the hamlet of cottages lying immediately contiguous to
the bridge became known as Mutford Bridge, and when
the railway was made from Norwich to Lowestoft (by Sir
Morton Peto) the station at Oulton was also called "Mut-
ford Bridge," a name which remained unchanged until
about 1890, when it was renamed " Oulton Broad/'

This bridge is the loafing-ground of the locality, and here
all the " know-alls " assemble in great force.

A few minutes' conversation with this interesting group
will give us information which would otherwise take a
stranger some days to collect by himself, for example: —
What lodgings are to let, what are occupied ; who is stay-
ing in the village and all about them; the state of the
weather, the water, the wind, the tides; the sport, past,
present and to come; the boats on the water and the boats
that have gone; the new ones built, what they have done
and are expected to do ; who has been recently married

6 BROADLAND SPORT

and who ought to have been ; whose family is increased
and whose curtailed; in fact, these gentlemen-of -leisure who
perambulate the boards of Mutford Bridge seem to know
everybody's business and everybody's secrets far better than
they do their own, and as they are by no means backward at
imparting their information to anyone who consults their
opinions with proper respect and a liberal allowance of
tobacco and liquid refreshment, a half- hour may be profit-

SOME MEMBERS OF A BROADLAND PARLIAMENT.

ably spent in their company, which is at all times interesting
and instructive.

We learn, amongst other things, that a big bungalow has
been erected upon the narrow neck of land which juts from
the parish of Carlton Colville towards the lock, wherein bunks
can be hired, or other accommodation obtained, which a
visitor with a sporting turn of mind might wish to know.
The rent is low and the conveniences of the residence so
elastic that not much time is spent in doubt, and a few
moments later we pursue our way southwards, en route for
the Bungalow.

OULTON BROAD AND NEIGHBOURHOOD 7

On the way to the Bungalow " Banker's Shed " is passed,
but in vain we seek the familiar faces of the members of the
" local Parliament," who, alas ! are now no more. They were
an interesting batch of old veterans whose pleasure it was
to meet regularly every morning in a small tumbled-down
harness-maker's shop to discuss local and imperial politics,
together with the stirring news of the day.

Seeking the owner of the Bungalow, a bargain is made to
the mutual satisfaction of all concerned, and possession is
formally taken with a view to a protracted sojourn.

Whilst engaged unpacking the luggage, several chance
acquaintances from the bridge drop in to "lend a hand if
wanted," which means the dispatch of a messenger to "The Lady
of the Lake "for a big stone jar of "mild and sweet" for
them to consume whilst they watch the unpacking, and at
times muster up sufficient energy to handle rods, guns and
other paraphernalia as each is exposed to view.

Having completed these preliminaries, arrangements are
made with one of the self-invited visitors for a row round the
broad in his punt, to which proposition he readily acquiesces,
but at the same time shows no inclination to move until the
last drop from the stone jar has been drained.

With a natural instinct somewhat akin to the fair
narrator of The Arabian Nights, he replenishes his glass,
relights his pipe, and commences to tell an interesting story
concerning a local celebrity, one Jack Sparrow to wit, whose
bonhomie, deep sporting propensities and dare-devil pranks
compelled a liking in spite of contra prejudice, but who has
since been called to the happy hunting-grounds beyond the
greatest Divide.

As the story may be interesting to the reader it is given
in extenso.

Jack Sparrow's Last Voyage.

Many are the celebrities and heroes of rod and gun that may
yet be met with in Norfolk. The subject of the present story

8 BROADLAND SPORT

was, in his day, numbered, with good reason, amongst them.
Jack Sparrow was a born poacher, and, what is more to his
credit, a born sportsman. True it is he had a rough-
and-ready manner, which was apparent in all his dealings,
yet at heart he was good enough, and everything else
in life was forgotten by him when real sport could be
anticipated.

Jack's great weakness was the bottle ; he could not
refuse an offer, and thought the best brand of liquids he ever
tasted was "other people's." He could not refuse a drink,
except, perhaps, it was of water ; even then he would hesitate
and, maybe, accept it, in the hope that something better would
follow — like the dainty dog which eats bread not because he
likes it, but from artfulness in attempting to make the feeder
believe that he is really hungry.

At the village alehouse Jack was a hero. He could lower
a quart without drawing breath; he could thrash anyone
within a radius of two miles (a mighty accomplishment in the
eyes of other rustics) ; he could shoot five sparrows out of six
from flower-pots at twenty yards, and would bet with con-
fidence upon the result an even bob; he could tickle tench,
snare pike, set gins and horsehair snoozes against the best;
and last, but by no means least, he could talk politics, tell
real genuine lies, and swear any would-be candidate for
parliamentary distinction to a standstill.

All Jack's so-called accomplishments have not been
enumerated, because to do so would only weary the reader,
whilst, on the contrary, this last anecdote concerning him may
arouse interest and help to beguile a span of idleness.

Amongst Jack's many patrons was one — a friend of the
author's — who had retired from business and desired to lead a
secluded life in the precincts of the village green. He pur-
chased, amongst other things, a little house with garden and
stabling, a pony-cart, a young retriever, a small yacht, a
dinghy, and the necessary equipments of the chase. Then he
hired three hundred acres of mixed shooting, and Jack was duly
installed as keeper and as general help to the establishment.

OULTON BROAD AND NEIGHBOURHOOD 9

To say that Jack was proud of his new position is stating
it mildly. He cut many of his former associates — it was well
he did so or he might have been dismissed from office sooner
than he appreciated — but whether he really cut them, or
whether he had come to some secret arrangement was never
known. After events seemed to suggest that the ties between
them were cemented in private by many and deeper draughts
of treble X than his income would admit. Certain it was that
Jack's nerves became unsteadier, his face assumed a more
bloated appearance as the shooting season advanced, and he
seemed to have unlimited cash at his disposal.

Little by little his master became suspicious. Being a man
of scrupulous regularity, he always kept everything under
lock and key, so Jack's chance of watering the spirits in the
cabin of the aforesaid yacht was remote ; but he was such a
genial and cheery companion that he invariably drew sub-
stantial donations from all who were brought into his society,
and his master's earliest suspicions were lulled by the opinion
that it was from this quarter that Jack obtained his supply
of ready money.

Twice a week at least did Jack's master visit some portion
of his shoot on which he had a good show of birds in the
early part of the season, but very shortly after the opening
week the birds seemed to have miraculously disappeared.
Several friends, who had begun to get heartily sick of
walking the stubbles in the vain hope that the birds had
come back again, vowed they would never accept any more
invitations, as it was a waste of time, and the ex-poacher-
gamekeeper was one day at lunch subjected to a most
severe cross-examination by a juvenile aspirant for the Bar.
But Jack was such an accomplished prevaricator of the
truth that he came out of this ordeal smiling, and quite non-
plussed the whole of the party present. He told off on his
fingers the wet weather, the drought, the gapes, how some
birds had been lost here, others killed there, and in the end
quite satisfied his master that he was indeed fortunate to have
bagged the miserable five brace and a half that lay before him.

io BROADLAND SPORT

On the way homewardJack was jubilant. Considering the
dressing down he had had his spirits were quite remarkable ;
he seemed to emulate the immortal Mark Tapley. But the
uncertainty of the joys of this life is proverbial, and on open-
ing the evening's letters his master's face assumed a serious
expression. One of them was an official communication on
blue paper and read as follows : —

" Suffolk Constabulary,
"Firthorpe Police Station,
" October—, 18—.
" Sir, — You will doubtless be surprised to hear that recently several
large hampers of game have been sent out by carrier from your village

to , and taken in by a well-known receiver of poached game. My

suspicions were aroused, and I have, after some considerable difficulty,
succeeded in tracing the consignments to a man whom I have long sus-
pected of being the associate of poachers. The man is named Jack
Sparrow, and I believe you employ him as keeper on the Burnt Hill
Farm.

" I shall be glad if you will give me a call and discuss the matter witli
me. — Yours obediently, J. B. Wideawake,

" Inspector"

Jack's master stared blankly at the letter for some minutes,
then he fairly waltzed round the place. To think that he had
been thus taken in and his generosity imposed upon drove him
nearly mad ; and his friends, how they would all laugh at him
and say, " Didn't I tell you how it would be when I first
heard you had taken on a man like that ? " " What could
you expect ? " "I never heard of an ex-poacher who was any
good as a keeper yet." " I don't believe in the old maxim
about the best gamekeeper," etc. " Once a poacher always
a poacher," and so on. What should he do ? At first he
thought of a prosecution, but on second thoughts, and as
his anger cooled, he determined, for the reasons mentioned,
to endeavour to keep it dark if possible, and to drop
Mr Sparrow by degrees so as not to arouse people's
suspicions.

With this determination he had Jack once more " on the
carpet." When he found the game was up and his only

OULTON BROAD AND NEIGHBOURHOOD n

chance of leniency lay in making a clean breast of it, he
threw himself on his knees and implored his master to give
him another chance, explaining the while (with as many lies
as he dared venture on comparatively unknown ground) his
past life, his present sincere repentance and his future
promised good conduct. By this line of action his master's
resolve was strengthened, and on the morrow he visited the
inspector to attempt to hush up the case.

Needless to add that with a little tact with the police
and judicious palm tickling with others he was successful in
preventing the public at large from hearing anything, but it
leaked out among his friends, and sly hints were from time
to time dropped until it was seen how sore the subject was.
Of course Jack was deposed as keeper, but he was employed
as yachtsman, and in other capacities, until his rough-and-
ready trait was brought into conspicuous prominence in a
certain transaction in connection with a pony which brought
about the final coup de grace.

His master's pony died, or rather got so ill that it had
to be killed. Jack knew of another. A beauty, just the
very thing his master required. It belonged to a friend of
his, was quiet, sound, and had no vice. Accordingly, one
bright sunny afternoon in August, the trap was sent away by
train to a station about ten miles distant, the master and Jack
accompanying it.

On arriving at the station they found the pony waiting. It
looked all right, and trotted well up the road in a halter.
After the usual haggle a bargain was struck and the pony
was taken for a week on trial. It was harnessed, and the
pair proceeded to drive home.

After the first mile the pony refused to go any further,
and no amount of persuasion or blows would move it an
inch.

At last Jack hit on a brilliant idea. He would tie a small
bundle of dry grass to its tail with the remains of a box of
fusees in the middle. He would then set light to it. He had
never known that to fail ! It was done, and both were seated

12 BROADLAND SPORT

in the trap in readiness for the start. As soon as the grass
began to burn the fusees caught fire. One spluttered on to
the pony. Down went its head, up came its heels, and out
went the bottom of the trap; then away it dashed at full
gallop.

The master let go the reins; Jack tried to get hold of
them, and in so doing he was thrown out and left, whilst the
master was borne away in a cloud of dust, frightened out of
his wits. He continued his wild career for about a mile,
when what was left of the trap was upset by a stone heap,
and, very much bruised and shaken, he was conveyed home
in a milk-cart that luckily happened to be passing. After
this, having settled the bill with Jack's friend, he turned
his back upon Jack Sparrow for ever. The mere mention
of his name was enough to put him in a temper for the
rest of the day; more often than otherwise for a longer
period.

Jack Sparrow was once more dependent upon his wits
for a living, as he was one of those who never did a real
day's work in his life.

Now there happened to be living, a few doors from his
cottage, an honest, hard-working little widow, whose
husband had recently died leaving her to provide for
several very young children, and Jack conceived the idea
that "he might as well hang up his hat behind her
door" as anyone else. He did not consider the matter
long, and a fortnight after the above-mentioned episode,
Jack was stepfather to the little ones, whilst the ex-
widow had another large appetite added to the family
board.

For some months Jack passed his time prowling round
with a gun, picking up whatever came in his way, and
spending all he could lay his hands on at the pot-house of
his choice.

One wild and stormy afternoon he went as usual up
the Broad for the flight. His fowling punt was at best
both small and leaky, and on this, his last trip, the three

OULTON BROAD AND NEIGHBOURHOOD 13

occupants (himself, friend and dog) were all too large a
cargo.

By means of skilful navigation and constant bailing they
arrived at the entrance to the river in safety, but as the
evening advanced the storm increased in violence, and they
would have been wiser had they left their boat at the top
of the Broad and walked home. Sportsmen, however, do
not know the meaning of the word fear, and Jack was the
last to turn back because " white- horses " rolled over the
surface of the Broad. He had confidence in his boat, still
more confidence in himself, and he ridiculed the bare
idea of the suggestions of his companion. Sport having
proved a disappointment perhaps made him reckless, or
perhaps it was that they had extended their trip as far as
Burgh Staithe (two miles up stream), where refreshment
was obtainable. Anyhow it was some hours after flighting
time before the passage of the Broad was attempted. It was
then quite dark and the difficulties of safe navigation con-
siderably increased. The storm lashed the water with
fury, and rain descended in torrents. It was all they could
do to keep the punt end-on to the rolling billows, any one
of which would have instantly swamped her had she been
allowed to veer sideways. As fast as they bailed the water
out of her more came in from the leaks, the rain and over
the bows in the form of spray. They were in the thick of
it now, and there was no chance of return, as the fringe of
reeds and rands* round the edges of the Broad would
hardly admit a landing. " Borrow 's Ham " had been safely
navigated, Carlton Ham avoided ; they had only 300 yards
to cover before the welcome shore would be gained. They
struggled desperately on with their teeth set and straining
every muscle of their bodies to reach the haven of refuge
and to beat the elements of nature in the unequal contest.
Suddenly, to their horror, the boat gave a violent lurch,
and immediately filling with water sank under them. When
they rose to the surface they saw a light twinkling from

* Soft, boggy marshland.

14 BROADLAND SPORT

the southern shore, and silently swam towards it, encumbered
as they were by thick clothing, heavy boots, and oilies
(waterproofs).

They had not gone far when poor Jack gasped out,
" I'm done for," and the waters he had loved so well, and
all his life defied, closed over his head and claimed him as
their own.

His companion reached the shore, how he never knew ;
but numbed with cold, and more dead than alive, he managed
to crawl to the light they had seen, and he frightened the
female occupants of the house almost into a fit when he
presented himself.

A search party was immediately organised but Jack
Sparrow's body was not recovered until two days after-
wards.

Poor old Jack ! many is the time the author has been
out with him, and many a yarn he has listened to from
the lips that will move no more. With all his faults he
was a right good sort in his way, but it was a way which
only sportsmen could tolerate ; even to them he was, at times,
a sore trial.

By the time this narrative was concluded the visitors had
been successful in finishing the contents of the stone jar, and
as there seemed no intention of a refill, they made a
move towards the door.

It is evening. The sun is sinking behind the Fishrow
Hills, causing the dark tops of the Scotch fir trees, which
peep over their brow, to give the appearance of a ridge of
rocks. The Broad lies calm and tranquil, except where a
few swans and ducks disturb its bosom, or idlers in boats are
drifting in a listless manner to and fro. The yachts have
laid to and made up for the night. The wherries are unable
to proceed, except with the assistance of the unwieldy quant,
and the wind has died away to a whisper, which is usual in

OULTON BROAD AND NEIGHBOURHOOD 15

Broadland at sunset. From one end of the Broad comes the
lowing of cows faintly echoed from the marshes beyond
Whitecast ; from the other the noise of children playing in
the street, or bathing in the sheltered bays. We as visitors
are enchanted beyond measure — how can we fail to be other-
wise ?

We drift with other idlers through the fleet of yachts,
round the quaint old warehouses with barges and wherries
moored to their quays, in and out of silent bays, and past
gardens which abut upon the water's edge, noting every-
thing and everybody.

Our oarsman is an interesting specimen of East Anglia.
He is a professional yachtsman according to his own descrip-
tion ; an unknown quantity according to ours. His age
might be anything from forty to eighty years. He tells
how he has witnessed more fish caught, more fowl killed,
more exciting races with yachts and rowing boats, more
hairbreadth escapes from drowning and other accidents, and
knows more about everything connected with that neigh-
bourhood than any man living. We are interested listeners,
and do not interrupt the flow of his conversation, except now
and again to inquire upon the merits of a likely-looking swim,
or a corner for wildfowl. He well earned all the beer and
baccy given to him, for which the soul of every Broadland
waterman (not a Blue Ribbonist) seems to yearn.

Having beguiled several hours of supreme enjoyment in
this manner, it behoves us to move a question of inquiry
respecting the morrow — What to fish for, and where to fish ?
The debate is not a long one, and it is soon arranged that
we shall try in the early morning for some of the perch,
which are reported to exceed 41b., but in reality rarely reach
half that weight. Four a.m. is the hour fixed for the sortie
to meet at Banker Gooch's shed, where everything is to be
in readiness, including a patent cooking apparatus for early
morning coffee.

The Broadland mists, now beginning to rise, add a weird-
ness to the scene which we feel both loth and glad to leave.

i6

BROADLAND SPORT

However, it is getting cold, and there is much to be attended
to at the Bungalow, so, directing a course towards the land-
ing-place, we are soon threading our way up the moonlit
street of the village towards our temporary home. One last
pipe, one last nightcap, then in dreams we struggle with
Leviathan perch, the like of which Broadland waters have
never seen, and the whirr-r-r of the small alarum clock seems
to call us from our slumbers before we have begun their
enjoyment. It is four o'clock, but we turn over in bed for
another half-hour, and do not reach the quay until nearly
5 a.m.

EVENTIDE.

CHAPTER II

FISHING AT OULTON BROAD

ERCH. Perch.
Perch.

These are the

magic words which

I'lPSS tingle in our ears

' |4feP| as we emerge from

the Bungalow.

What a lovely
morning it is ! The
air is fresh and invigor-
ating; there is a gentle
ripple on the water such as
anglers love, and the wind is in
the right quarter.
The rods are stowed on board, baskets,
bait cans and paraphernalia. Then a hitch
occurs. Shrimps are scarce, and on this water shrimps
are considered the best bait for perch.

Whilst in the very act of grumbling on the quay the
fresh-water shrimper is hard at work, with a large landing
net, shrimping round the edge of a stone embankment, and
we hasten to see if his early morning efforts are productive
of success.

On joining him he smiles a knowing smile and points to
the fish kettle, saying he has more than we shall want for
b 17

18 BROADLAND SPORT

that day, at least, which fact a hasty inspection confirms.
There, under a spray of green weed, are dozens of the small
crustaceans; our hearts rejoice, and blessings are invoked
upon the head of him who but a few moments before
we were prepared to verbally consign to a period of
torture.

These shrimps are a peculiar race in themselves. They
emanate apparently from Lake Lothian, coming through the
lock and thriving in the brackish waters of the easternmost
end of the Broad, where they breed in myriads, and appear
to do well. Perch are very fond of them, and prefer them
to almost any other kind of food. They are easily caught in
a small-meshed landing net, or in old baskets filled with
weeds and stones, and sunk, in which baskets they readily
take up their quarters.

Having transferred the fish kettle to the boat, a course
is steered past the ice-house towards the abandoned fish-
ing vessels, of which there are all too many lying in the
Ham or bay ensconced by the Great Eastern Railway
Company's embankment near to Oulton Broad Station. In
rowing there we have to thread our way through a fleet of
craft of all dimensions, lying moored to promiscuous buoys
and anchorages, put down haphazard, without any regard to
law, order or navigation.

Arriving opposite to the ice-house we make for the nearest
smack. The Saucy Jane belies her name; she is neither
gay, pretty, nor enchanting ; nevertheless we board her
and put the rods together upon her roomy and dismantled
decks. During the winter she is loaded with ice, which
indignity may have dispelled all her present claims to sauci-
ness. It matters little, we do not give the subject a second
thought, we are busy impaling a lively shrimp upon the
perch hook, and a moment later drop him quietly over the
starboard quarter into the dark and silent water passage
which ebbs and flows between her grass-grown planks and
those which similarly adorn the Blue Belle. A mental note
of the number and direction of the rusty chains lying

FISHING AT OULTON BROAD i9

out aft has been made, and should we get a bite, we know
within a little how to play the fish for the clear water.

One of the party wanders further afield. The Saucy
Jane has no charms for him, and later he perches himself
high on the rotten bulwarks of a broken-masted coal ketch.

Half an hour passes and no sign of fish. One angler
becomes disheartened and adjourns for coffee, but no sooner
do the inviting fumes arise from the cooking apparatus than
suddenly his rod, which has been left balanced on the
bulwarks, gives an animated jump. In the excitement the
stove, coffee and condensed milk can is upset, and an election
becomes compulsory — not between the devil and the deep,
but between a f-lb. perch and an action for damages for the
destruction by fire of other people's property. The ship
is saved but the fish is lost, as well as a new gut trace by
Farlow.

But another scriggling shrimp is softly dropped into the
swim, and almost before the dainty morsel has touched the
surface of the water a perch has snapped it, whilst the green
and white float disappears into the uninviting depths with a
vicious dive which thrills the nerves and, at the same time,
tells us that the fish is a heavy one. In a few minutes the
struggle is over and a beautifully-marked perch (which
subsequently pulled the scale at 2 J lbs.) is jumping in vain
upon the grimy deck. Such a beginning is encouraging,
and for half an hour the sport is as good as the heart of angler
can desire. During this time twelve fish are landed, the
smallest 6 oz., the largest the one first mentioned, whilst their
average weight is about f lb. Besides these, several others
are lost, as well as three traces on the chains and ropes which
run out in all directions around. But anglers' joys are
fleeting and the shoal of fish leaves as suddenly as it came.
When perch stop biting like this it is little use continu-
ing on at the same swim, but success generally causes one to
linger, and for another hour we fished and hoped in vain.

We have, however, no cause to regret the early rising, and
can crow over less energetic anglers whom we observe commenc-

20 BROADLAND SPORT

ing business long after the sun is high in the heavens, generally,
as in this instance, with less success. At 10 a.m. a return is
made for breakfast, and by twelve we are anchored about
twenty yards from the reed beds, just outside the fringe of
white-flowered weed on the point of what is known as Carlton
Ham. Here will be found at low water almost a seven-foot
plumb, with a long stretch of hard gravel bottom, and one of
the best perch swims between the Horseshoe Point and
Mutford Lock ; but although we fished continuously until five
o'clock in the afternoon, little was added to the take of the
early morning.

Perch fishing is at all times precarious — even on Oulton
Broad one cannot always command success — but, taking one
day with another, and given favourable circumstances, better
bags are made here than on many other public waters, whilst
there is always the satisfaction of knowing that the fish are
there in quality as well as in quantity and in size — if one
can only get amongst them.

Referring to the plan the reader must understand that
" J " represents jack and pike ; " P," perch ; " B," bream.
The places of note and landmarks are named. The
dotted lines show shallow water and mudbanks, whilst the
whole map is compiled from memory with a view to assist
the intending visitor rather than to accurately represent the
district. With this map, and the directions to be obtained on
the spot, it will be the visitor's own fault if sport is not
obtained.

The best swims for roach, perch and bream are from A
to B, which includes the southern shores of Carlton Ham
from the entrance to Oulton Dyke (on the west) to "The
Point," from C to D at the south-eastern corner of the
Broad, and from E to F running round Borrow's Ham and
the northern shores to the fleet of dismantled fishing craft
near the Great Eastern Railway Company's embankment.

In fishing, the boat should be moored, fore and aft,
about twenty yards from the shore, just outside the fringe

FISHING AT OULTON BROAD 21

of weeds which are conspicuous during the summer and

/ &? ~' — ~ N' —

3" 3 s «*,%<^ "Rnrvclj

si*'".

autumn months. In the spring and winter, when the weeds
have died down, a position can be taken up nearer to the shore.

22 BROADLAND SPORT

Like a church, the Broad lies east and west ; the sea- water
from the German Ocean washes one side of the lock, which in
summer is open and shut so often that the water at the
end of the Broad is decidedly brackish. When the water
is at flood in the Broad it is at ebb in Lake Lothian, and
vice versa.

In fishing for pike and jack in winter, the nearer one
fishes to the yellow reed stems, in reason, the better are the
chances of success. Roach, bream and perch fishing are
carried on in almost the same manner, with slight local
peculiarities, in all parts of England, therefore it is not
necessary to describe the fishing in detail, beyond the
fact that in Norfolk the " takes " are estimated at so many
stone, not in exact weights as elsewhere.

In fishing for pike the fishing of other counties is differed
from in that the dodges utilised are so numerous and ingenious
that it is a wonder there are any fish left to be caught,
whilst it seems incredulous that they are proved to be on
a decided increase (rather than a decrease) as every year
goes round. Borrow's Ham and Carlton Ham are the most
celebrated places in the locality for pike fishing. Many
is the twenty pounder that has tested the angler's skill in
days gone by, and many there are still left exceeding that
weight which lurk in the reedy nooks ready to do battle again.

We were one day attracted by the movements of a
small boy who was wading up-stream in the spring drain
which flowed from the freshwater marshes of the Carlton
level in the Waveney Valley through a sluice gate into
Lake Lothian.

It was a fine evening, there was nothing better to do, so
we leant at ease upon the boundary wall of the street over
the archway, by means of which the drain runs under the
high road, and watched the youthful angler, in company
with the large crowd there assembled, with considerable
interest. Whilst thus intent in following his movements
several inhabitants of the village joined the crowd, and from
them w<; gleaned plenty of information on the subject.

FISHING AT OULTON BROAD

23

The youth was " butt spearing," and during the twenty
minutes he operated near the archway, he took no less than
thirteen good-sized fish as well as three small eels.

Butt Spearing

is a sport that is obtained on saltings and tidal estuaries, and
is very good fun whilst it lasts. Breydon Water and Lake
Lothian afford good facilities if the visitor
will trouble himself to find out the ways
and means.

Butts are flat fish which also go by the
name of flounders and dabs. Flounder is
possibly the correct name, but in Broad-
land they are called butts. Almost all the
year round the sport is in vogue, varying,
of course, according to the time of tide, the
weather, and other circumstances.

When the tide is ebbing and the flats
are bared, the overflow from the back-
waters finds access to the main channel
through countless runs which everywhere
dissect the ooze. It is in these runs the
butts are found, and the spearer works his
punt up them, covering all the likely banks
and well-known haunts in a similar manner
to that in which the eel spearer goes to
work. A butt spear is, however, dissimilar
in shape to, and considerably lighter in make than an eel
spear ; the prongs are wider apart, and each is capable of
securing a fish, instead of catching them wedged in between
two of the prongs, as eels are caught.

Spearing from a boat is not the only way in which butts
are speared. In some places a landspring drain runs into the
saltings through sluice gates, which work automatically.
They open as the tide on the salting ebbs, and the force and
weight of the freshwater (accumulated in the drains beyond)

I5UTT SPEARS

24 BROADLAND SPORT

proves greater than the salt water on the outer side ; closing
in a reverse manner when the flood rushes up from the sea.

Often these landspring drains have a hard bottom, and
the butts love to make their way up against the strong-
running stream. This affords the spearer a favourable oppor-
tunity. At about half -ebb the depth of the stream will
probably not exceed a few inches, and it is then easily
waded.

The spear on these landspring drains is generally dis-
carded in favour of a common kitchen steel fork, for reasons
which the reader will soon discover. With pail, fish-can,
or bag (having a prepared mouth) slung on his side, or on the
back, the fisher enters the stream as near to the sluice gate
as he can.

He generally wades barefooted, as butts are at all times
difficult to see, lying on the bottom of the stream slightly
embedded in sand or mud, the colour of which their upper
surface or back most closely resembles, and by wading bare-
footed the fisher can feel with his feet quite as many as he
will see ; if he treads on a butt and then stands quite still
he can with his fork feel the centre of the fish and drive
the fork through it. By putting one or more fingers on
the under side of the fish, he raises it from the water with-
out fear of losing it. It is then deposited in the carrier; and
he proceeds on his way up stream.

As he wades along the running stream takes away all
the discoloured water which is disturbed by his feet, which
would otherwise obscure his view, thus giving him a clear
field for operations. Zigzagging his course, he does not pass
a bunch of weeds or a mass of debris which may be caught
by an overhanging briar or bough, but he carefully dissects
it with his fork, and spears any fish lying under it which he
thinks worthy of capture.

In this manner eels of good size, butts, small jack and other
fish are taken ; in a couple of hours (the turning of the tide
rarely permitting a much longer fishing) the author has
caught nearly a pailful of good -sized fish of several varieties

FISHING AT OULTON BROAD

25

In wading like this the spear is not of much use, the
handle is somewhat long, eels cannot be taken with it, and
a fork will be found more wieldy and more advantageous
all round. There is one drawback to wading. Thorns are
in almost every stream of this kind, whilst glass bottles,
broken crockery and flints are apt to lacerate the feet, and
a butt coming down stream at full speed gives a blow to the
naked shin which would upset auy nigger and severely
punishes a white man.

Taking it all round, butt spearing, whether by wading or
from a boat, is an interesting sport, and to those who have
never indulged in it there is the extra attraction of its novelty.

IIKOADI.AND TALISMANS

CATCH LOB WORMS BY NIGHT.

CHAPTER III

EELS AND EEL BOBBING

In Broadland the natives use the provincialism "bab" and
" to go a babbing," but as the sport is generally known by
the name of "bobbing" the author has used that term in
preference.

Bobbing is practised by almost every native of East
Anglia living near to any of her waterways. The spring
is the most favourable time, and it is a fishing which is
conducted generally by night. When a bobbing excursion
is contemplated, the bobs are the first requisite, and these
must be used fresh if success is to be assured. A large
quantity of lob worms are necessary to make a good bob.
They (the worms) are kept in an ordinary flower-pot or
similar utensil, with some damp moss and a little earth in
which they can burrow. Worsted yarn is used, and the

26

EELS AND EEL BOBBING 27

worms are threaded with a needle from end to end upon
the yarn in a continuous string until long enough to bunch
up sufficiently for the purpose required. This string of
worms is about two yards in length and is bunched up and
tied so that each loop which hangs downward is equal in
length from the top. A lead of pyramid shape, about six
ounces in weight, is used as a sinker, and is fixed to the
bobbing line, immediately above the worms. This forms the
bob, which as a whole much resembles an ordinary tassel in
shape. The line consists of good stout cord, its length being
regulated by the depth of water in which it is to be used.
The length of the bobbing pole (generally a straight rod)
is about four or six feet. Should the line be found too long
when bobbing, the bobber simply turns the pole round and
round in his hand until a sufficient quantity of the line is
rolled at the far end of the pole, which shortens it to the
required length.

The way in which lob worms are procured is interesting
if not amusing to those who participate in it. On a dark
night the worm catcher sets forth with a lantern, throwing a
strong light in one particular direction — the pattern known
as the bull's eye lantern is best fitted for this purpose. With
the lantern and a small can in his left hand, in which to place
the worms, he goes to the nearest pasture or lawn where
lob worms are supposed to frequent. Walking with stealthy
steps, he casts the full glare of the lantern upon the ground,
which enables him to see the worms lying on the surface of the
pasture amongst the roots of the grass. When he sees one he
must be exceptionally sharp in catching it before it manages
to wriggle back to its hole. Lob worms are very much
quicker at this than one at first would imagine, and unless
the catcher proceeds in a thoroughly business-like manner he
will have to work several hours before he obtains a sufficient
number to form an ordinary-sized bob. On the other hand,
to the onlooker it appears extraordinary how easily the
worms are taken by anyone who is expert at the business. In
a very short space of time far more worms are caught than

28 BROADLAND SPORT

are required, should circumstances and weather be favourable.
Although it is difficult to dig them from the soil, there is
another plan which at times proves successful. It consists
in a simple expedient. Mix a pailful of mustard and
water, or weak lime and water, and pour it, with the
assistance of a watering-pot with a rose spout, over the
lawn or grass where lob worms are known to abound ;
such a dressing will often bring them to the surface in a
few minutes.

Having now briefly turned to bobs and how they are
made, we will describe the evening's bobbing.

Some two hours after the sun has sunk to rest, and the
mist is covering the reed tops and rising from the marshes,
we proceed to the edge of the Broad, where a boat is lying in
readiness. The old Suffolk marshman is sitting there in
waiting, his short black pipe between his lips, from which he
silently draws his peaceful puffs, and rests content with all
the world. Our overcoats and other belongings having been
taken on board, not forgetting the stone jar and the whisky
bottle, we push off from land and punt down a muddy
creek en route for the open water. Rowing across the Broad
many others may be noticed bent on a similar errand. They,
like ourselves, are heading for the river's mouth, which is
looked upon as one of the best swims in the neighbourhood
for the purpose in question. Before we arrive at the place
where it is agreed to make the first attempt, we are en-
shrouded in a dense marsh mist, through which it is difficult
to find a way, but, with the instinct of his race, the old
marshman makes his destination, and, planting two poles
firmly in the mud, secures the boat fore and aft in readiness
to commence operations. We are moored on the outskirts of
a reed bed at the entrance to the river, and notice that down-
stream several other boats are already engaged seeking to lure
the eels to destruction by the fascinating temptation of a fresh
bunch of worms.

An inquiry from them as to what sport they have had
elicits a reply that " the eels are biting freely, though they

EELS AND EEL BOBBING 29

don't fare to hang well " — the meaning of which expression
will soon become apparent to the reader.

Having sampled the stone jar and lit pipes, we unroll
the bobs. The depth of the water is not more than four
feet, the bottom seeming to consist of hard mud. Clearing
the rowlocks and all impedimenta from the gunwale of the
boat, we take up our positions fore and aft, and, dropping
the bobs overboard, as near to the side as they will con-
veniently go, commence proceedings. The bobs sink to
the bottom immediately, and, rolling up the slack of the line,
we bob with the end of the poles within a few inches of
the surface of the water. At first the bob is allowed to
rest on the bottom, but this is simply in order that the
exact depth may be conveniently gauged. Having done
this, the bob is raised two inches from the bottom and kept
in constant activity by a smooth, regular, up-and-down
movement. This causes the bunch of worms which forms
the bob to dilate and expand by reason of the resistance of
the water, and when there is any doubt as to the depth
we are fishing, we bring the bob in contact with the
bottom.

It is not long before a vigorous tug tells us that an eel
is at work. As soon as this is felt the bob is brought to
the surface of the water with a steady, even pull, at the
same time keeping a regular pace upon the movement,
which is continued until the bob is brought over the boat,
and a scriggling eel, whose teeth have stuck in the worsted
yarn, and who fails to let go until he finds himself dangling
in mid-air over the bottom boards of our boat, is brought to bag.

The bob is reinserted into the water, and as time goes
on we get many more bites, our bob being as often in the
water as it is out, but, as our friend remarked in the early
part of the morning, "they do not fare" (Anglice — seem)
"to hang well this evening," and we find we do not land
more than one eel for every five or six bites. Besides, those
caught are so small in size that we decide to try our luck in
fresh waters.

3°

BROADLAND SPORT

Pulling out the mooring stakes we row down the river
some half-mile or more, to a place where the stream divides,
and the entrance to a backwater gives us hopes of better
sport. Moving some five or six yards from the rand, fortune

«si.2f&«*

BOBBING AT NIGHT.

is once more tempted in a similar manner to that before
described, and on this occasion with more success.

For ten minutes we sit with very poor luck, and are
discussing the advisability of leaving for another quarter,
when the eels commence to bite. Not only do they bite,
but they seem to hang with a pertinacity which is astonish-
ing. Often we have to drop the bobs several times upon
the bottom boards before they can be induced to let go,
and two at a time is by no means uncommon. On several

EELS AND EEL BOBBLNG 31

occasions three eels are pulled up together, although we do
not always land them in the boat.

Having enjoyed excellent sport for upwards of three-
quarters of an hour the eels seem to leave as suddenly as
they came, and although we remain in the same place for
another half-hour, we do not secure sufficient to tempt
us to linger any longer,

Returning to the Broad, we lay-to near a reed bed,
which is dissected by a broad dyke leading up to an over-
grown pulk hole,* where we obtain very fair sport, although
nothing like so good as that obtained near the entrance to
the backwater. But one eel captured here amply repays
our patience, and subsequently pulls down the scale at nearly
a pound weight. When hauling him on board we could not
help thinking our bob had caught in some large bed of
weeds, of which there were a quantity in the immediate
neighbourhood, as the pull seemed so inanimate.

As it was now well past midnight, we thought it advisable
to make tracks for home to tumble in between the sheets.

Was it the night air or the liberal potations from
the stone jar and whisky bottle that made us so sleepy ?
In our belief we incline to the former, but in any event
we lean back in the comfortable stern-sheets, listening to
the regular measure of the oars as they disturb the surface
of the Broad, and to the weird cries of the waterfowl from
the reed beds and swamps beyond, where they were now
revelling in the full enjoyment of perfect security from their
many enemies. In this position we almost fall asleep,
and dream that we are miles away in other latitudes.

Suddenly a crash arouses us and we start to our feet,
under the impression we have struck a stake and may have
the enforced indulgence of a cold swim before coming to the
shore ; but our old friend assures us there is no occasion for
alarm — that we have merely bumped against a yacht's moor-
ing, which proved us to be not far from our destination.
He is right in his prophecies, and a few minutes later we are

* A small pond in the swampy reed margin of a broad.

32 BROADLAND SPORT

once more following the dyke to the landing-stage. The
short tramp home awakens us too much to our liking, and
when we do get between the sheets we have some difficulty
in obtaining the sleep we so much desire.

Next morning, after a substantial breakfast, we go to the
landing stage to view the catch of last night. Two or three
bucketfuls of water had been thrown into the boat, the bottom
of which now looked alive with slimy, scriggling eels varying
from the size of a lead pencil to the one a pound in weight
before mentioned. In all there were some five or six stone —
no unworthy catch, my masters, considering the time spent in
bobbing.

Having taken sufficient eels to suffice for home consump-
tion we presented the rest to the old marshman, who informed
us that he stored them in trunks until he had a sufficient
quantity to send to the London markets, where they brought
him from 3d. to 6d. per pound.

Such is a description of bobbing in Norfolk and Suffolk
waters. The sport varies in accordance with the district, the
time of year and the state of the weather. Almost anywhere
in Norfolk bobbing may be indulged in, and at almost any
time, except when the eels are embedded in the mud during
the winter months.

Not much skill is required to take some eels by the process
of bobbing, but the more one sees of the sport the better is one
likely to appreciate it and become a strong advocate in its
favour. On saltings good bobbing can be obtained, and the
eels form an excellent dish — the discussion of which some
consider by no means the least enjoyable part of the business.

Although there are several kinds of eels, the two species
most abundant in Broadland are the Sharp-nosed Eel
(Anguilla Acutorostris) and the Broad-nosed Eel. The
former is much appreciated for table, but it is not so
voracious, nor does it attain so large a size as the other
species. It is mostly taken by the eelmen in nets, which
are stretched across the river in various parts of Broadland,
and are called " eel setts." At certain periods of the year,

EELS AND EEL BOBBLNG 33

when eels migrate to the sea, many of them are thus taken.
Breydon Water is a favourite place for eels, especially during
the winter, when they hibernate in the mud. The largest
specimen recorded was taken in May 1839, and was upwards
of 201b. in weight. Another was recorded from the fens of
Cambridge, which bore down the scale at 251b.

The other species of eel referred to is the Broad-nosed Eel
(Angwilla Laterostris), which is more voracious than the
Sharp-nosed Eel, but is not anything like so good for eating
purposes. These eels are also taken in the eel setts during
migration, but are not so regular in their habits as the sharp-
nosed variety, and they are more often taken
on eel lines and in osier traps, which are
both freely used for the purposes of their
capture.

It is wonderful how eels will travel over
land from one water to another, and how
they will surmount obstacles which would
be thought most difficult to climb, unless
weeds, grass or moss growing thereon assisted
them to wriggle upwards. It has been said
that they will surmount sluice gates three
or four feet high if there is any quantity of
grass on them.

Eel spearing is much in vogue upon the
rivers and Broads of East Anglia. During the winter months,
when the eels are lying asleep in the mud banks, the water-
men and marshmen, using a spear made especially for the
purpose, diligently probe all likely spots, capturing a large
quantity of eels, which at that time of the year are in good
demand at most of our large markets.

On Oulton Broad, Breydon Water, Lake Lothian, and
many other places, a number of eel-spearers may be seen at
work almost any day throughout the winter. Standing at
one end of their small boats, they thrust their long spears
(the hafts of which are about twelve or fifteen feet in length)
again and again into the mud, constantly drawing them to

c

EEL SPEARS.

34

BROADLAND SPORT

the surface to see whether they have been successful in
securing a prize. The boat is kept in position by the spear
so constantly coming in contact with the ground, and in
this manner they work along the mud banks where the eels
are thought to be lying.

When ice covers the water so that spearing from a boat is
impossible, the eel spearers often cut holes in the ice over the
favourite mud banks, through which openings they use their
spears to their advantage and profit. Selling the eels for
about 4d. per pound, many men are thus enabled to earn from
10s. to £1 per week, which is very acceptable when other
work fails; but the majority of eel spearers are watermen and
marshmen, who gain most of their money during the summer
months, and during the winter — the off season — they are only
too glad to obtain what money they can by eel spearing, wild-
fowl shooting, or at the ice harvest.

AN EEL-SPEARER AT WORK.

CHAPTER IV

SHOOTING AT OULTON BROAD

XCELLENT sport was to be
obtained in the precincts of
Oulton Broad with dog, boat
and gun. In days gone by-
there were several inhabitants
in the quaint little waterway
village who gained their sole
means of livelihood from fish
and fowl. That was before
the railway came and before
steam drainage mills were
heard of, and a Cockney
would have been considered
daft had he then thought fit
to appear in the regions of Broadland in the costume and
general rig-out which is now no longer strange to the quiet
dwellers in this out-of-the-way corner of old England.

Drainage was the first great blow to sport, steam and
railways the next, then the breechloader, and finally the
invading host of would-be sportsmen all eager to kill some-
thing. Year by year the water-birds have diminished in
number, and by degrees they desert the more frequented
rivers, streams and broads, until on many of the more public
waterways there is hardly an edible wild water-bird per
hundred acres. Oulton has suffered most in this respect.

35

A COCKNEY WILDFOWLER.

(" Any duck abart ? ")

36 BROADLAND SPORT

We do not suppose there is a public shooting water in
Norfolk or Suffolk which has been so harassed.

Often are seen pictures in the London illustrated papers
entitled " Wildfowling on Oulton Broad," wherein the artist
depicts a shooter sitting on the bottom of a punt, in the
reeds, with his waterman holding an anxious-looking
retriever by the collar. Overhead are flying streams of
mallard and wild duck, and the envious looker-on anticipates
that at least a score will grace the bag before the shooter
returns to breakfast.

What a myth ! What a snare and delusion ! Years
gone by such a picture would not have been an exaggeration,
but now things are sadly altered, and if the shooter killed
one couple of mallard during the month of August on Oulton
Broad, he would be considered fortunate. In the first fortnight
of November a good many fowl drop into the water whilst
migrating towards other less-disturbed haunts, and during the
grey, cold mornings of that month, especially when the wind
is high, several are shot over decoys and by other means.
Borrow's Ham and the reed beds all round the entrance to
the river Waveney, or Oulton Dyke, are the favourite stands
to take, and the pulk holes and rands are worth carefully
searching and beating with the first streak of dawn. Teal
used to frequent Borrow's Ham about ten or fifteen years
ago ; now they are rarely, if ever, seen anywhere on the
Broad. In August there are a few redshanks, sandpipers,
turtle-doves, moorhens and snipe to be met with, but the
owners of private property round the shores of the Broad
have a strongly-rooted aversion to seeing the sandpipers
and turtle-doves (which come every year from Africa) shot
or taken, as the presence of these birds adds greatly to the
enjoyment of everybody. Snipe are found in November
round the rands of the Broad (in Carlton Ham especi-
ally), and heavy bags are sometimes made. When such
is the case great secrecy is observed, otherwise the next
morning sees a gunner to every bird. Punt guns are not
used on this water ; they would be very dangerous, and the

SHOOTING AT OULTON BROAD 37

most energetic gunner would not average six shots a season
of six birds each.

Between Lowestoft and Oulton Broad lies Lake Lothian,
once part of the Broad itself, now a tidal estuary with mud
flats and what the gunner loves, except marshes and scope.
But there is rarely anything here, and it is hardly worth a
visit, except, perhaps, in November, when plenty of wind is
blowing, or during a hard frost.

The snipe marshes of " Whitecaste," marked on the rough
map before referred to, are quite historic in the annals of the
East Anglian hunting-grounds. They belong to the parish,
and are let to one person for the litter which grows on them,
to another for the shooting. Many years ago the snipe
shooting to be obtained here was indeed extraordinary.
Twenty years ago it was something to be remembered, and
the author can recollect having more than once seen from
500 to 1000 snipe on the wing at the same time. During
the migration they visited these marshes in hundreds, and
wisps of snipe were a common occurrence.

The rent then was not more than two or three sovereigns,
if anything at all was charged, but as the reputation of the
ground spread the rent rose accordingly, until no one living
in the neighbourhood thought it worth their while to try and
hire it. The marsh is not more than forty acres in extent,
and it is said u a bet was once made that one could not dig up
a square foot of soil without it contained an ounce of shot."
We should say this yarn must be taken cum grano salts.

The rands, bogs and pulk holes to the north of the river
and due west from Borrows Ham are now more or less
private, but they always were disappointing, rarely yielding
anything beyond rails and moorhens. To the west of White-
caste lie the poor's marshes, which everyone shoots over, yet
snipe are always found there if there are any in the
neighbourhood.

A visitor staying in Oulton Broad who hires a little
shooting and is a genial sort of fellow and a keen sportsman,
will find he will get more sport than he requires, as every

38 BROADLAND SPORT

inch of land that can be hired is snapped up and preserved,
whilst good guns are exceedingly scarce and much in request.

Before the Wild Birds' Protection Act of 1880 was passed,
which has been such a boon and a blessing to all lovers of
nature and sport, a good time was obtained round Whitecaste,
from about the 4th to the 14th of July, shooting young red-
shanks, or redlegs, as they are provincially called.

The mode of pursuit was as follows : — Having previously
noted the most-frequented and favoured marshes by watching
the movements of the older birds, a day was appointed and
the guns apportioned, some for walking up, others for placing
in fixed stands to shoot the wilder birds. These stands were
made from reed hurdles, temporary screens, a convenient bush,
clump of reeds or coarse marsh litter, whichever came most
handy and convenient for the purpose.

The walking-up division carefully beat the ground with
dogs towards the guns concealed in the stands, shooting what
young birds rose or circled within range ; the old birds they
spared as a rule, because at that period of the year they are
comparatively worthless. The guns who were posted forward
got the best of the fun, as all their shots were more or less
sporting ones, and generally at birds which flew past them at
a high rate of speed, having been considerably frightened by
the remainder of the party.

One drawback to the sport was the flies and midges which
swarmed around (once experienced, never forgotten), with the
excessive heat generally to be endured. To counteract this
as much as possible old boots with plenty of holes in them
were worn instead of the heavy and cumbersome long marsh
boots, and to fall into a dyke or bog-hole was not objected to,
except for the nastiness of the mud ; but this could easily be
got rid of by a swim in the river after the beat was over,
which indulgence the author has frequently treated himself
to in days gone by without troubling to divest himself of one
inch of clothing.

Large bags of redshanks were seldom procured, but the
practical knowledge of the ground and habits of the birds,

SHOOTING AT OULTON BROAD 39

coupled with the hard work, which are all essential to success,
lends an attraction to the sport without which it might have
been dull and uninteresting.

Redshanks are interesting birds at all times, and if properly
cooked are considered savoury morsels for an epicure's table,
more especially if the birds are young.

In March, or early in April, they leave the saltings, arriving
at the breeding grounds, where they pair off and distribute
themselves over the face of the fens and the marshes. They
commence to lay their eggs about the middle of May, and,
unlike the lapwing, they select (in preference to more open
ground) a thick tuff of rushes in which to conceal their nest,
contiguous to swampy and more rotten places. The young as
soon as hatched emerge from the nest, and the downy active
little birds form a most interesting subject to those who are
enabled to obtain a position commanding a view of their
movements. This, however, is seldom the case, as the parent
birds are most vigilant, being always on the alert, and so soon
as an intruder appears within their domain they circle round
and round overhead, uttering shrill, piercing cries, warning
the whole neighbourhood of danger.

Should the intruder appear in the form of a dog, cat or
fox, they feign and counterfeit maimedness and inability,
fluttering away almost touching the ground, to lure the in-
truder from the vicinity of their young ; sometimes actually
placing themselves in danger through over-zeal in their
parental duties.

The young of the redshank grow rapidly, but they are
not able to fly until fully fledged and quite fit for table. The
progress of their growth at this period is so rapid that within
a few days of their using their wings for the first time the
old birds lead them off to the saltings. Therefore, unless the
fenman can take his chance at the exact time (which a
judicious law now forbids) he has no other opportunity until
a subsequent year.

There is another branch of sport to be mentioned before
quitting the hospitable shores of Oulton Broad for other fields

4o BROADLAND SPORT

— namely, shooting over decoys, which at one time was
practised somewhat extensively.

One young fellow in particular could be named who lived
on the shores of this water, and who gained (until recently)
a fat livelihood from sporting in the winter and yachting in
the summer. Being well versed in the geography of the
waterways of Broadland and all the branches of sport they
were capable of, his services were in great demand by amateur
yachtsmen and sportsmen who visited the neighbourhood.
After the reeds had turned from their summer green into
yellow brittle stems, and the visitors, like the swallows, had
departed for more congenial climes, the products of his shoot-
ing and fishing supported him through the winter and spring.

He worked his decoys from a promontory of the Broad
with great skill, and rarely returned home empty-handed ; but
now these days are past and the quantity of fowl which visit
this particular water is so limited that it is not worth any-
body's while to attempt decoying from a professional, or even
from an amateur, point of view.

It was the custom of the youth alluded to to be up long
before daybreak and take up a position on a prominence of
thick reed -beds which jutted out into the Broad, affording a
secure retreat to his boat and to himself. The position was
well chosen, as all fowl entering the Broad would pass close
by this particular point, and they seldom failed to pitch near
to his imitation birds.

The decoys, or stales, were made of wood painted by himself,
and excellent imitations.

In some of the districts of Broadland decoys are still suc-
cessfully used, and a fair number of fowl are shot with their
assistance. But, like most other inventions, they are not
always to be worked either easily or propitiously ; everything
depends upon the minor details, which, although trivial in
themselves, are only mastered by a thorough course of study
and training with many years of practical experience.

The subject of decoying is such that it must be allotted a
special chapter.

BREAKING OPEN A " WAKE."

CHAPTER V

DECOYS AND HOW TO USE THEM

And as a skilful fowler birds employs,

Which by their well-known form or treach'rous noise

Allure their fellows and invite to share

Their fate, sealed from a hidden lair.

Vaniere Revised.

Decoys are, without doubt, of great assistance to the wild-
fowler, under certain circumstances, but they are now much
more used in America — where sportsmen assert that nothing
goes so far towards making an expert duck-shooter as a full
knowledge and the proper use of decoys — than in the British
Isles. In fact, one rarely hears of decoys being used at
all, except in Broadland and a few other out-of-the-way
fen-lands.

The ways of utilising decoys to advantage are many, and
they vary according to the districts and localities in which
they are worked.

In the numerous books on wildfowl-shooting already
published, most of these methods have been more or less

4i

42 BROADLAND SPORT

explained, and in some dilated upon at length. Therefore,
it is best to confine present remarks as much as possible to
personal practical experience.

First, let us review decoys when used in connection with
punt-shooting. In this branch of sport they are less used
than in any other, and only when it is almost impossible to
move about on account of ice or stress of weather. Yet we
have known the time when their assistance was in no wise
to be despised, more particularly in " wakes," or, rather, the
open sheets of water which, either from artificial means,
tidal eddies, springs, or sheltering trees, have not been
grasped by the iron clutches of Jack Frost until long after
other more exposed places are securely locked in ice. The
appellation "wake" is certainly peculiar, and in the sense
here referred to cannot be found in the dictionary; but,
nevertheless, it is in constant use amongst punt-gunners,
marshmen and wildfowl-shooters in general, who, when once
in the sole, undisputed possession of a good " wake," situated
in a prominent and well-frequented district, have, in their
estimation, attained a long-coveted empyrean of blissful
contentment.

" Wakes " formed on saltings and mud flats are caused by
the rising and falling of the tide, which, on the ebb, leaves
ice resting on uneven hillocks of mud, or over runs and drains,
and if the ice is insufficiently strong it falls in ; then, on the
tide rising again, the wind blows all detached pieces to lee-
ward, clearing an open " wake " of varying dimensions. On
inland lakes and waters " wakes " are often formed through
springs or tame birds.

If you do not have the luck to come across a naturally-
formed "wake," one can be made. Select the ground, or
rather water, in a part well open to the wind, because, so
long as waves roll across the water it will remain open, and
this in still, frosty weather is always a great difficulty.
Again, remember always to commence breaking ice from
extreme leeward, working to windward. If you begin to
windward, and work to leeward, you will be surrounded by

DECOYS AND HOW TO USE THEM 43

so much floating ice all the time, that far greater difficulty
will be experienced in working. Whereas, in the former case,
as soon as the ice is detached the wind carries it away to lee-
ward, and you are not further encumbered or annoyed by it.

The " wake " made in a suitable position, attention should
be turned to the channel by which the punt is to enter, and
this must be regulated according to circumstances.

The decoys are placed, some in the water, others on the
ice, the shooter being guided more or less by fancy, -selecting
what he considers the most desirable positions. It will be
found best (if you expect your "wake" will not be open)
to arrive on the scene of action an hour or so before day-
break, in order to re-break the ice, place the decoys, and put
all straight before retiring to the retreat, to watch and wait
like a spider over his web. Provided there are any fowl at
all in the neighbourhood, we do not think your patience will
be very much tried before the melodious whistling of wings
startles your reveries and causes that keen excitement which
the sight of mallard in the grey dawn invariably stirs up in
the breast of a true wildfowler.

If the " wake " is small and the surroundings suitable, an
ambush can be made and splendid sport with shoulder-guns
obtained, answering to all intents and purposes the French
huttier system.

The main reason why decoys are used in " wakes " is
obvious, for, as there are usually many more " wakes " than
one in any large sheet of water, the wildfowl would assuredly
prefer selecting those furthest from the shore, unless lured
by counter attractions.

Again, decoys can be used when punt-shooting under the
following circumstances. Where one is gunning on an estuary
frequented by a large number of shooters, it is usual to divide the
ground into berths, and the maxims of " first come," etc, and
" possession nine-tenths of the law " prevail. Then it will be
found an advantage to lay out several decoys opposite your
berth, as, when skilfully placed, it is marvellous how the
wild birds are deceived.

44 BROADLAND SPORT

In " tubbing " decoys are frequently used with great success,
not only when shooting from tubs sunken in the ooze, but
also by means of the floating tub raft. This consists of a
float, or raft, of rough planks, encircled round a large and
spacious waterbutt, about ljft. from its top, which is garnished
with grasses, weeds and mud, in order to make it resemble a
drifting island. In this bulky craft our sportsman launches
out into the estuary, lagoon, lake, or wherever his happy hunt-
ing-grounds may be, propelling his float by means of small
oars, from semi-circular sculling holes which are cut in the
edge on each side of the tub to take the place of row-locks.
Having paddled to a good position, the gunner either anchors
himself, or drifts promiscuously about, his decoys also being
either anchored or attached to his craft in such a way that in
drifting they go also. Some are actually placed on the raft
itself, and when all is arranged to his satisfaction he can
make himself at home in the interior of his tub, which, as a
rule, has ample room to carry many desirable little comforts.

Very often, on spotting a goodly bunch of short- winged
fowl, the gunner will quietly and stealthily scull well to wind-
ward of them, and then allow himself to drift down into
their midst. Ducks, more especially mallard, are naturally
of a very inquisitive turn of mind, and when they see this
curious craft, which at first appears to them only a detached
portion of floating-rand,* with some of their feathered
brethren bobbing round it, they generally swim straight to-
wards it and fall victims to their own temerity.

In this method of wildfowling we strongly advise the
shooter to carry a little peat in his tub with him, so he can
burn some of it when in the act of drifting towards the birds,
otherwise the exquisite sense of smell possessed by most wild-
fowl will soon put an end to his manoeuvres.

In boisterous weather the tubman often lays an anchor to
windward with a free length of cable, by means of which he
can regulate himself to the desired distance from the shore
without emerging from his hide, and circumvent the danger

* Spongy masses of aquatic vegetation peculiar to Norfolk.

DECOYS AND HOW TO USE THEM 45

of his craft overcoming him and carrying him away to leeward
into the rough water.

Another killing dodge on some waters is to select a
favoured prominence of reeds, rushes or other aquatic vege-
tation, which j uts out into the water, affording a secure re-
treat to your boat and self. The decoys are anchored some
little distance away, and, if the position has been well chosen,
the incoming birds cannot fail to notice them, when the
customary toll is taken from their numbers.

This latter method is almost the same as using screens, but
with this difference : in the former one is enabled to move
about and alter his position according to wind, weather or
other circumstances ; in the latter he can only go where his
screens are placed. These screens are built in reed-beds and
made to assimilate their surroundings as much as possible, con-
sisting of four stout piles driven firmly into the deceptive
subsoil, to which is attached a rough platform ; four reed-
hurdles form its wings, a seat is added, and the screen is
complete. Not only are these screens used for decoying, but
also for diurnal and nocturnal shooting (flighting at dawn and
dusk) and for drives.

On land we have often used decoys, but with indifferent
success. Here the live birds are decidedly the better of the
two, and on corn or pea stubbles, near corn stacks and such like,
they are usually made use of in preference to the artificial
birds. As lures for geese, however, they are indeed a godsend,
and splendid sport may be obtained with their assistance. The
shooter can either lie upon the ground, having, of course,
first provided against dampness, or he can dig out a pit in
which to secrete himself, or, more comfortable still, he can
sink a barrel or tub ; in each case assimilating himself and
his hide as much as possible to the surroundings. The depth
of these stands varies according to the whim of the shooter,
but ours have always been four feet, with a diameter of three
or thereabouts. Above all things be very careful to either
cart away the excavated soil, or break it up and distribute it
evenly over the adjoining acres, leaving everything with as

46 BROADLAND SPORT

natural an appearance as possible. Further, carry a cover
for the dug-outs, so that when leaving them you can not
only exclude the dust and elements, but also, by sprinkling a
little soil over the cover, you leave the ground with no
ostensible appearance of disturbance.

The position of the decoy birds, again, varies in ac-
cordance with the sportsman's fancy. Some prefer them all
on one side, others in a line, some only two or three in number,
and some, on the other hand, in enormous quantities. But we
have always found that a dozen posted in natural positions is
amply sufficient.

The best all-round gun for this class of decoying, in our
humble opinion, is a double 8- bore, full choke, with No. 3
chilled shot right barrel, and No. 1 left. Weight is not so
much a serious consideration, as you have not to carry the gun
about very much ; whereas, if you wish to combine flighting,
decoying and marsh work, the best plan is to go in for a
double 10-bore, 30 in. barrel, full choke, substituting No. 2 for
No. 1, and No. 4 for No. 3 shot.

The actual artificial decoys with which we are acquainted
are as multitudinous as they are various in design. We will
comment briefly upon a few of them.

First, there are the stuffed birds. If these are intended to
be used on uplands or marsh, they are either set up on small
boards (fastened by pegs), or upon wooden or iron supports,
which can easily be stuck into the ground, good care being
taken that, in placing them, their natural attitude, appearance
and altitude are made as natural looking as possible.

The position of the decoy birds, according to the varying
circumstances under which they are used, will be found of the
utmost importance.

Take, for example, wood-pigeons on trees. If, as is too
often the case, they are shaped with head erect and wide-
awake appearance, their posture would convey the impression
to the real birds arriving that they had just alighted or saw
danger near, thereby at once exciting suspicion. Whereas, if
made with heads down, all snug, and properly fixed, facing the

DECOYS AND HOW TO USE THEM 47

wind, the wild birds would drop to the apparent harbour of
refuge without fear or mistrust. Or if placed on a stubble or
clover field, some should be picking, others looking up, and
their positions varied. If, on the other hand, all are sitting up,
alarm is indicated.

The above remarks apply equally to all decoying with
stales;* and although they may appear at first sight to be
minor details, it is just these trivial points which make all the
difference between partial and complete success.

A device for constructing temporary decoys may, perhaps,
be worthy of attention. Before departure for the happy
hunting-grounds the sportsman provides himself with some
stoutish wire netting and a pair of nippers. On killing his
first bird he fashions a simple framework from a small
portion of the netting, fitting the neck, head and breast, and,
with the aid of a few props, has as life-like
a decoy as heart could desire. Upon another
kill the same performance can be repeated,
until the requisite number has been procured.

A similar plan is the wire-stake trident,
with the central tine convex, the latter
being firmly fixed into the under bill of
the bird, with one of the side prongs under each wing ; the
position being varied by the different curve of the central
tine.

When stales are intended for use on water, it is entirely
different, and " floats " constitute the main consideration.

In Fig. I. will be noticed a good overlap, and an absence
of lead on the keel, the balance being, effected through a
weighted dead-line. This one is drawn from a model which
we saw in use in the southern part of Sweden, and it took
some time learning the whys and wherefores from the
Scandinavian duck hunter, who spoke in the broadest patois
imaginable. The object of the overlap seems to be for the
protection of the bird, which it effected in some measure, both
in transportation and otherwise.

* Artificial decoys.

48

BROADLAND SPORT

Here let it be stated once and for all, that when using the
genuine stuffed bird great care must be taken, otherwise a
fresh batch will soon be needed. The attaching hole, it will
also be observed, is differently placed, and must be varied accord-
ing to circumstances. To the dead-line, however, we must
take exception, as in fleet water it would
be a great nuisance having to alter it, and
a lead or iron keel answers quite as well,
without the bother of extra strings.

Figs. II. and III. are the shapes we in-
variably make and use, the former appearing
to answer best. Sometimes we have fixed
solid three-cornered blocks of wood, as shown
by the dotted lines in Fig. IV., the more in order to assimilate
the lines of a boat, but find that so doing adds considerably to
the weight, and is really no advantage. Therefore, we recom-
mend the would-be user, who thinks of turning out, or
superintending the manufacture of, his own decoys, to adopt
the patterns given in Figs. II., III. and IV. (without the
addition indicated by the dotted lines). Of course, the size of
the float-board equals the duck's measurement round the
water-line, and the depth of the keel can be made to fancy,
but six to ten inches will be found ample ; the amount of lead
on the keel being regulated in a great measure by the species
and weight of the wood used, otherwise the
bird will appear heavy and unnatural. The
desire being to liken each decoy to the
genuine bird as much as possible, weight it
accordingly, so that it will ride buoyantly
and lightly over the wavelets, neither plough-
ing through them nor allowing them to
dash over its head, neck and shoulders. In FIG' uu

carrying it is as well to have a separate bag, case or covering
for each bird, with a slit in the bottom for the keel to come
through ; for, as before mentioned, these stuffed decoys rarely
last long. In anchoring, some people attach a separate line
and weight to each bird used ; others place three in a line,

DECOYS AND HOW TO USE THEM

49

all three being kept in their respective positions by a fore-
and-aft anchor attached to the rear and leading birds. But
we do not believe in so large a number as the Americans seem
partial to.

Perhaps many will wonder at the notches cut under the
support-board, or just above the keel, therefore we will
explain their use. Many shooters, on picking up their decoy
birds, or " stales " as they are more often called, wind the wet
anchoring and connecting lines round the necks. This may
be all very well for a time, but it soon destroys and injures
their appearance ; so to remedy it we wind our lines round
the keel, with the assistance of these notches,
where they are securely held without detri-
ment to the birds.

Under this division might also be included
the canvas-made decoys, which are to all in-
tents and purposes the same as stuffed birds.
The pattern is taken from a live bird, and
the canvas cut out to measure, sewn up and
stuffed (body with cork, head and neck with
tow), the exterior being painted to complete
the deception. We have made these, and
used them, finding they answer well — in
fact, if anything, better than the wooden
ones, the balancing arrangements of the
latter being the only thing that makes them fig. iv.

the better of the twain.

With regard to the shape of your dummies, of course it is
best to get it as near to perfection as possible ; yet, at the
same time, you will not find the wild birds so very exacting
in this respect as you would suppose. They see the dummies
bobbing about, and on fine or calm days, after wheeling and
hovering round awhile, drop to them. On finding out their
mistake they do not at once fly away, but often remain
some time unless suspicions raise an alarm.

And now a word as to the species best to be represented.
Golden eyes do very well for short- winged fowl, which

D

50 BROADLAND SPORT

include pochards, tufted ducks, rattlers, et hoc genus omne.
But for mallard, teal, widgeon and all long-winged fowl — in
fact, short- winged and all-round general duck shooting — there
is nothing to equal good representations of duck and mallard.

Secondly, there are the wooden imitations. These can
be bought at almost any gunsmith's or naturalist's, and,
in our opinion, are far away the best for wear, efficiency
and economy. No fresh figures are necessary to illustrate
their manufacture, as they are almost identical to Figs. V.,
III. and IV., with, of course, the exception of the water-line or
floating-board. One thing is very important, and that is
not to have them too shiny and bright, with which the
uninitiated are so fascinated. On the other hand, the wood
had better be prepared with size, or something of that kind,
prior to painting, for unless this be attended to the wood
will absorb the paint without being rendered water-resisting
or showing the colours to advantage.

Thirdly, there is another species of wooden decoys which
we remember once to have seen, but as it is some time ago,
and our memory not of the best, we are afraid our explana-
tion will not be so lucid as we should like. It was fashioned
somewhat after the style of the American silhouette decoy,
which, we presume, is known to be the outline or profile only,
and painted as the others. Those intended for use on terra
firma were pivoted on a stake, whilst those for the water
were pivoted on a "float-board." Each was in two pieces,
and thus easily packed, carried and stowed away. We have
never shot over them or seen them in actual use, so we
cannot speak as to their efficiency, but we should consider
that a duck, looking from an angle of 45 deg. (about the
average elevation when dropping to a decoy), would hesitate
before placing implicit confidence in so meagre, skinny and
gaunt an object.

Fourthly, we have the indiarubber substitute, either with
or without an inflation tube, its object, of course, being to
facilitate stowage and transit. But they are easily disposed
of, for a single shot striking them (by no means an unusual

DECOYS AND HOW TO USE THEM 51

occurrence) brings about ruination. Besides, unless weighted,
the generality of them behave as one returning home in the
early hours of morn, having passed the evening with such-like
companions as Priapus, Silenus and Bacchus. In other words,
they roll over at the slightest draught of wind or ripple of
the waters.

Fifthly, may be included the collapsible, reversible tin,
copper and other metal decoys, etc. ; but when the simpler
ones answer so successfully what need is there of all these
gimcracks ?

Sixthly, there is an invention which we have never had
time to put to a practical test, yet it seems so ingenious a
device we have taken the liberty of again placing it before
the public.

It was described in an American book on Wildfowl
Shooting, * by Mr Long, one well conversant in the art, there-
fore we cannot do better than use his own words : — " A few
years ago a Mr T. H. Snow took out a patent for a flapping
decoy. A board, which served as a floater, had a hole cut
through it the size of the decoy, and in this the decoy (which
was made like any common wooden one) was placed and
fastened to the board by pins running into its sides, and
serving as hinges, upon which the decoy tilted easily. Wings,
formed of wire, and covered with cloth or other similar sub-
stance, were hinged in position, and the decoy anchored in
the usual manner. A line leading to the blind was so fastened
to the decoy that, upon its being pulled, the forward end was
raised upon the hinges to a nearly erect position, similar to
that of the live duck when flapping its wings, and the wings
were elevated at right angles with the body. It was quite an
ingenious contrivance, and helped considerably to attract
attention to the decoys, especially on dark, calm days."

Seventhly, and finally, there are the real decoy birds in
the flesh and blood. Whether the little white call ducks that
one often sees in small flighting ponds, etc., are really con-
spicuous in attracting wildfowl is a question very much open

* Published by the Orange Judd Company, 245 Broadway, New York.

52 BROADLAND SPORT

to comment, but a semicross between the wild duck and our
domesticated species is always a good draw, when properly
managed, although it goes against the grain to fasten them to
the stake or anchor, at which they are so often wounded, and
perhaps killed, when dummies answer almost equally as well.
The following anecdote, which was told to the author by a
native wildfowler on the banks of the Tagus, better exemplifies
the existence of live decoy birds, doomed to temporary and
involuntary martyrdom : —

In the sunny land of Spain, one auspicious wildfowl ing
morning, a sportsman, evidently meaning business, proceeded
up the Esteira Furado Creek, near Moita, with craft wisely
and yet too well provisioned and found. Not only was he
provided with shot and shell, but also enticing lures in the
form of live decoy ducks, with the assistance of which he
hoped to secure better results than had ever fallen to the lot
of sportsman before. Arrived at his destination, he inserted
in the mud a long pole, about thirty yards distant from his
proposed ambush, to the top of which a swivelled slip was
attached. From this, with not more than two feet play-line
between each bird, were secured by the leg his unfortunate
victims, the top of the aforesaid pole being level with high-
water mark ; the tide, it must be added, being then on the
turn. Having arranged everything to his satisfaction, with
a smile of approval at his own cuteness, he pushed his craft
into ambush to await events. Now, whether this well-
intending sportsman was so much engrossed in the anticipated
fruits of his stratagem, or whether it was the soothing influence
of the native grape that made him oblivious to the fact of
the magnitude of the rise and fall of tide in these parts,
tradition relates not, but he fell asleep. What his dreams
may have been are best known to himself ; suffice it to say
that, hearing the cries of ducks in his immediate vicinity,
he awoke with a start and grasped his gun, thinking that
the supreme moment was at hand. Imagine the gunner's
feelings on finding his boat high and dry, whilst from the
top of his too well-fixed pole depended the fluttering decoy

DECOYS AND HOW TO USE THEM

53

birds, clamouring loudly at their uncomfortable position
aloft.

In Holland, we have been told, they use trained drakes,
which fly up to the wild ones and lure them down to an igno-
minious death, although, when there, we have never had the
pleasure, if so we may term it, of being initiated into the
secrets of this particular device.

The huttier system of the French, with their decoy birds
staked down in lines, is so well-known, and has been before so
admirably described by far abler pens, that there is no need to
touch upon it.

Having shortly commented upon the decoys more generally
in use, the next point is how to lay them out.

On land this is easy enough, as the only thing of any im-
portance to be remembered is (and this applies equally as
much to the water) to place all your birds head to wind. If
the reader requires a reason for this, let him visit the nearest
farmyard and watch any ducks that may be in a place exposed
to the wind.

The whole tribe has a great dislike to have their feathers
ruffled, which an aft wind invariably does. Stales therefore
must not all be sitting up nor all lying down, but grouped
as natural-looking as the shooter can place them.

On the water there are numerous other things to think
about besides the actual grouping. Position selected con-
venient to the ambushed sportsman ; the wind, whether lee or
weather shore ; attachment-lines ; prevention of possible foul-
ing of the anchoring lines; with a hundred and one other
little things which experience and practice can alone teach.

The ordinary way of anchoring a single decoy is merely
to attach a line to the fore hole shown in either Figs. I., II.
or III., and allowing extra length or depth according to how
deep the water is, with a stone, or other suitable object, as
an anchor. A random string of decoys may be used, and
is brought about by anchoring the first in the usual way ;
to its eyehole aft is attached the connecting line of the
second bird, which runs, of course, from the fore float-board

54 BROADLAND SPORT

eyehole ; the third is attached in a similar way, with the
exception of an anchor-line running from its after eyehole,
keeping all three at regular intervals, and in the required
position. An anchor is hardly required in a high wind
or good breeze.

Another method for securing three decoys, which is
equally good, if not better than the former mentioned, is,
with the assistance of the four-in-hand cross-bar arrange-
ment, or diminutive square sail yard, shown in Fig. V. The
pole is somewhere about five feet in length, and cut from
green wood, sallow, or osier, so that it barely floats; not
too large, but just large enough, that is, sufficient to bear
the necessary strain. The middle bird is tied to the stick

by kyah (Indian grass rope),
which floats, and is half as
short again in length as the
two other lines of hemp or
manilla, which sink, besides
being double the length of
the middle ones. The reason
is obvious, as, by so doing,
fouling is almost impossible.
The main anchor runs from

FIG. V.

the very centre of the pole.

Here also, as well as in the anchoring of single birds, a
slight, simple and effective plan is often resorted to, which
is as follows: — If you wish your birds to be sedate and
steady, fasten the anchor-line exactly to the middle of their
cutwater. But if (as is mostly practised) you wish them to
swim about in a restless and animated manner, fasten the
line slightly lower down, when the desired result will be
arrived at. It is wonderful how natural they appear when
laid out by a cute hand.

The hoop is of great assistance in likening the dummy
to a live bird, and is an ingenious device. A wooden hoop
with a diameter of about three feet is procured, its edge being
most carefully smoothed to allow a wire ring to run round it

DECOYS AND HOW TO USE THEM

55

fc

with ease — allowance being made for the swelling o£ the
wood when sodden with water. Two rings are placed
on the hoop, and a wire stretched from one to the other;
from each of them is a line to the anchor weight, and
connected to each ring is a dummy bird. Thus it will be
seen that these two birds can chase each
other round and round the hoop, but never
overtake or come any nearer than they are
originally set. It can be tried with four,
but they look unnatural, and two will be
found to answer best ; yet, at the same
time, four rings can be used to advantage
without the addition of more birds. See
Fig. VI. Perchance some may say, "this
is practising against the preaching, for one
of them must be tail to wind," but exceptio probat regulam,
and it does not matter so much here, as these birds are
constantly on the move. In the drawing will be noticed
a four-ringed hoop by dotted lines, and also an additional
auchor, which can be used if so desired ; but it is not a
necessity, although it may be preferred by a few people.
To the length of the lines from the rings to the anchor
there is no defined limit, and they can be regulated according
to depth.

Another addendum to the already long list of artificial
decoy ducks has been patented by Mr William H. Jencks,

Clinton, Iowa, and was filed February 5,

1889, serial No. 298,723.

From the appended sketch (Fig. VII.)

the reader will gather a good idea of the
fig. vii. invention.

The following claims cast sufficient light to give a fair
idea of any advantages or general utility which it may
possess : —

" 1. A decoy-duck provided with an internal anchor cord-
winding reel, in combination with a set-screw, adapted to bear
upon the reel and lock the same in position.

56 BROADLAND SPORT

" 2. A decoy-duck with forward and rearward internal
recesses, in combination with a shaft mounted in the forward
recess, and provided with a spool or reel, a decoy-head mounted
on the shaft and adapted to revolve the same, and an anchor
cord, one end of which is made fast to and adapted to be
wound upon the spool."

Dogs, too, are often useful as decoys. To be an attractive
draw, the dog's colour should be brownish, with corporeal
dimensions not too large ; in a word, the nearer it resembles a
fox the more effective will it be. Its training need be neither
long nor tedious ; all that is required is that it will gambol
about in an eccentric fashion, implicitly obeying every gesture
of its master's hand. Instances are not rare where black-
coated retrievers have decoyed birds within range, but then
their antics must be carefully superintended, and the dogs
must be extra intelligent if the practice is to be repeated.

Another way in which to decoy birds within range of the
gun by the assistance of dogs is as follows : — " Wypes," or, as
they are more commonly called, lapwings, are very fond of
mobbing an intruder, more especially a fox, or its near ally,
the dog, and they have been known to pay the same attention
to cats when prowling upon their domain. Taking advantage
of this you must train your dog accordingly, and on discover-
ing a field or suitable marsh which the lapwings frequent,
conceal yourself close by, and either send the dog (carefully
trained in this branch of sport) round, or in company with an
attendant who, upon arriving at the opposite side of the birds,
loosens the dog, directing it the course to take. It instantly
starts off at top speed through the very midst of the birds,
they, upon recovering from their first shock of alarm, and upon
seeing their disturber running away, follow screaming, in some
cases, swooping down to within a few feet of its head, until
their temporary boldness is suddenly dispelled by the am-
bushed sportsman, who should secure a good recompense for
his cunning. It must not be supposed that the first efforts of
the inexperienced will be crowned with brilliant success, but
then he ought to be consoled by the recollection that the more

DECOYS AND HOW TO USE' THEM 57

difficult the obstacles the sweeter will eventually become the
fruits of victory.

In this method train your dog to run straight into your
ambush, and upon his arrival to instantly crouch motionless to
the ground, as these birds, when one of their number is struck
down, almost invariably follow it, and many times several
couple can be secured. In this instance, if they neither
see you, your attendant, nor the dog, and one or more are
shot, they are almost certain to swoop to them, and it rests with
the shooter whether he takes good advantage of this their
peculiarity.

Another plan is confined almost exclusively to decoying
wild ducks. It is extremely simple, and generally effective,
but requires the aid of an intelligent dog, otherwise failure is
certain.

Upon seeing some wildfowl upon a small lake or other
sheet of water, and within reasonable distance, you conceal
yourself from their sight, then direct your faithful canine
attendant to go through his part of the performance. He
jumps suddenly into view upon the shore or bank, and madly
chases his tail round and round, then as suddenly disappears.
Out again, and back instantly, with many variations of antic.
The ducks act almost precisely as they do at the entrance to a
decoy pipe. First, they are a little disturbed, then fear gives
way to curiosity, and with outstretched necks they swim for
the shore, collecting closer and closer the nearer they approach
it. Biding your opportunity, and covering them the while, in
case their suspicions turn into genuine alarm (in which case,
of course, the best offer must be turned to account), you quietly
wait until they arrive within easy distance, when the well-
directed contents of both barrels rudely cuts short their
suppositions, and leaves few cripples to try the patience and
endurance of your gay deceiver.

It should be taken for granted that both these deceptions
must not be overdone. That is, you must not too often repeat
them upon the same ground, and with the same birds, within
a short time, but rather look out for fresh arrivals, migratory

5$ BROADLAND SPORT

or otherwise, and not harass constant frequenters more than
is absolutely necessary. The importance of this advice cannot
be impressed too strongly, and it is only by observation and
bitter experience that the gunner finds out the truth of it, and
the unfathomable value of having obtained the confidence of
his every-day attendants.

For hardiness and endurance, especially in such a trying
neighbourhood as the Fen Country, there is nothing to equal
a good cross-bred dog. A cross between a water spaniel and
retriever produced the author one of the cleverest and neatest
little workers it was ever his good fortune to shoot over.
That dog, however, had its peculiarities. If you went out with
it after cock pheasants and it constantly flushed hens, which
you allowed to go away without a shot, it would put up with
it for a while, but if it continued it would take itself off home
in disgust. Again, it would never run home after work on a
dirty night, but insisted upon being driven; and if it was
refused, it trotted, with head and tail erect, to the nearest
farmhouse, where it would seek quarters for the night. On
wildfowl it was splendid, and never gave up a cripple unless
compelled to. You might trust it in any covert to persevere
for hours, once having touched the scent of a wounded bird ;
and to mark down two or three birds in succession, retrieving
each at a gallop on receiving the longed-for word of release,
was with it a common occurrence. Its manner was most
eccentric, and you could not lose it if you tried; but it
abominated music, which its teeth marks to this day testify —
because in an inopportune hour it was once serenaded by the
author with a concertina when he thought he was safely
sitting in a hammock, the supporting rope unfortunately
giving way when least expected.

The dogs mostly in use for decoying purposes, and pre-
ferred, are retrievers, both liver-coloured and black, curly and
wavy, with no distinct preference for one in particular, but
selecting a sort of happy medium between the two.

A great deal has at different times been said about
artificial and natural calls for wildfowl and other shooting.

DECOYS AND HOW TO USE THEM 59

By artificial are meant the wooden and other instruments
used for producing the sounds required ; by natural imitations
those emitted from the mouth with which Nature has pro-
vided every one. The former are all very well in their way,
yet they take up much time and trouble to learn ; but no
artificial arrangement can equal a good imitator who has
arrived at a fair stage of perfection, which is not half so
difficult as most people imagine. It is a little difficult at
first, perhaps, but the acquirement of one call invariably leads
up to others, and when once two or three have been mastered
the remainder are easy. To be efficient, however, the
mimicking of one sound only for each bird is not what is
required; you must habituate yourself to invariably listen
and notice the different sounds emitted at the different times,
which you will soon find conveys to you their intentions ;
every species of birds having a separate language, that of
the widgeon and curlew, perhaps, being the most commonly
known. Study and endeavour to learn the meaning of each
cry and whistle, and then attempt to mimic the correct note ;
as, of course, if you give vent to the wrong note, say, for
instance, the note of alarm, what result can you expect ?
That veteran and thoroughly practical sportsman, Mr H. C.
Folkard, gives good advice upon this subject, which applies
equally to shooting over decoys as it does to punt and
other shooting.

" A good ear for ornithological sounds is as necessary to
the midnight sportsman as the natural musical ear is to the
most accomplished harpist. He must be familiar with the
different calls and confabulations of the various species of
wildfowl, as is the fair warbler alluded to with the most
popular airs of the day; and but little success can be ex-
pected unless he is so gifted. The language of wildfowl
is instinctive and pleasing alike to the ears of both sportsman
and naturalist — to the one for the advice it gives him as to
the species, as well as the whereabouts, of their talkative
assemblages ; and to the other for the opportunity afforded of
contemplating, from lessons of life, the beautiful perfections

60 BROADLAND SPORT

of Nature, so exquisitely revealed even in the simple and
apparently unmeaning voices of the feathered tribe ; but
which, in reality, express to their species the unmistakable
language of the heart — its love, hatred, wants, sympathies,
doubts and alarms — and all by sounds so short and feeble, yet
too distinct and expressive to be misunderstood by those for
whom they are intended, though to human ear a jumble of
inexpressive similarities. With these and many others the
wild fowler becomes so easily acquainted that a mistake of
species cannot well be made ; but it is with other signs of
their language that the master of the art has to do before he
can become an adept at evening and midnight sport, for
whilst these sounds reveal the species, others less vociferous
betray their action, their movements and suspicions."

As previously stated, it is an acknowledged fact that birds
possess a language of their own, and one can soon convert a dis-
believer by placing him in a position where he can both see
and hear a flock of curlews ; or, nearer home, let him listen to
and observe on old hen with her brood of chickens.

The use of artificial calls need not be disparaged as, when
in proper hands, they are often made good use of ; but the
best advice to give to anyone who has fowl approaching his
stales or decoy-birds is not to attempt to emit any note unless
certain that the imitation is perfect, besides being in the right
note and in the right key.

When fifteen years of age the author could lean against a
gate-post at evening flight (the easiest period for calling) and
time after time call peewits to within ten or fifteen yards.
The bag generally astonished flighting companions, and often
places were changed with them, but with the same result.

No definite rules or advice can be given for " calling," as
its utility at seasonable times will only become apparent after
practical experience and observation.

As to boats, the sportsman had best choose that craft most
suitable for the particular branch of decoy shooting he is
about to practise. An ordinary gunning-punt will be found
best all round, if it is available, but almost any boat answers,

DECOYS AND HOW TO USE TFIEM 61

if the other extreme is not taken by selecting one excessively
clumsy and incapable of concealment. The only essential re-
quirement necessary to your selected craft is " stability," in
order thereby to secure a steady aim, which the oscillations of
an ordinary light skiff would certainly destroy.

Guns are things which depend in a great measure upon
what a man has been accustomed to. Some can shoot and
handle any weapon with a proficiency which is remarkable,
and bend appears of little consequence to them ; but then
these are men who have spent the whole of their lives in
shooting. Yet it has been long ago decided that when once
you find a gun really suits you, it is very unwise to exchange
it for another. The worst shots one meets with are those
who are constantly changing their guns and trying new
bends and such-like experiments. Strength of trigger is also
of importance, and you should not have a weapon on board
pulling under 3 lbs. or 4 lbs., otherwise accidents are likely to
arise — perhaps fatal.

How many are there who have not fallen into the error of
taking a too heavy gun with them for this branch of sport,
and having in consequence missed half a dozen good shots, four
out of which they would at least have killed with their
ordinary weapon ? They seem thoroughly satisfied because
they kill one long shot, and they do not pay any regard to the
many pricked and wounded birds which they never ought to
have fired at.

It is the most pernicious practice possible to plume one's
self over long shots, as one cannot fail to comprehend, who
considers for a moment, the subsequent misery and lingering
deaths thereby brought about ; much rather pride one's self
and relieve one's conscience in having killed clean such birds
as are within easy range.

In shooting over decoys, weight of weapons, so long as
they can be easily handled, is not a very material consider-
ation, for you must remember that you are stationed in one
position most of the time, and moving about is adverse to
success; more specially when on the water, place your gun

62 BROADLAND SPORT

in the rack and do not handle it until required. Bearing
this in mind, one should choose a heavyish weapon (if
you can swing it with equal dexterity) in preference to the
one you would select with thoughts of marsh perambulation.
For all-round shooting over decoys, a double 10-bore, half
and full choke, is most advantageous. And if you like to
have in reserve a mower-down for flocks and longer ranges,
why, a single 4-bore with india-rubber heel-pad will be found
of great assistance. The charges rest more with the boldness of
the sportsman ; but heavy loads are more often a mistake than
otherwise. You might however recollect that the more metal
and the tighter you nip the stock of your gun the less recoil
will be felt, and a substantial breech is an advantage rather
than a fault.

In shooting do not attempt snap or wild shots, if you can
possibly obtain any other, as in the long run they decidedly do
not pay. The most telling and deadly method to adopt is the
cool, deliberate and calculating shot, which is a noteworthy
peculiarity of the expert, who is always a first-rate judge of
velocity, height, distance and the resistance of the wind.
Also bear in mind that shots drop considerably, especially the
heavier pellets. And when birds jump, or are flying from
your decoys, they are rising with more or less velocity, ac-
cording to the species — another item for study, so therefore
do not fear to shoot well over them, vice versa when going
away straight over your head.

Never neglect to clean your guns both before and after
usage, especially if on saltings, as the air alone is amply
sufficient to do serious injury if the cleaning is neglected.
The names of the different receipts for this are legion, and
amongst them vaseline will be found by no means a despicable
one.

A few words more as to the actions of wildfowl upon
observing decoys. Wildfowl, upon entering the boundaries
of a strange water, generally take many sweeps round, high
up, gradually lowering in order to obtain a fair idea of where
they are settling themselves, and also the general surround-

DECOYS AND HOW TO USE THEM 63

ings. If they do not like the look of affairs, they lead round
to windward and make off in another direction ; but if, on the
contrary, they entertain intentions of sojourning awhile, they
lead round to leeward, lowering on the lee side and mounting
again on the windward. Several circuitous reconnoitres of
this description are, as a rule, quite sufficient to settle all
doubts ; yet, if it be very mild weather, or there is hardly any
wind blowing, they usually fly round much more and at a
higher elevation.

During these gyrations they are almost certain to spot
your decoys, and the greatest caution must be taken that
they do not catch sight of you at the same time. On seeing
the lures they invariably lower, and eventually, finding
nothing of a more attractive nature, drop to them with
extended pinions. If it is a single bird or a pair, do not wait,
but give it them as they are alighting, for there is far more
satisfaction in killing your quarry in mid-air than taking
the pot-shot. Neither be too sparing with an odd cartridge
if you have the slightest reason to suspect that a shot bird
is only a cripple, for many a fowl is lost through this absurdity.
Well does the author recollect one August evening, when he
dropped a mallard in full view of an army of peaceful
piscators, whose amusement knew no bounds, because the
instant it touched the water the left barrel was also dis-
charged, but previous bitter experience had taught the value of
prudential forethought, and having been successful so far, he
had no intention of being baffled in the end by the well-
known subaqueous skill and cunning of a slightly-tipped
wildfowl. If three or four patronise you, wait and watch
until two or three are crossing, or until they settle and mass,
or get into line, then fire. To a larger flock the same
tactics apply. But in all cases never shoot unless absolutely
certain that your birds are within range ; rather let them go
altogether than fire a random and wild shot, as it only
frightens them thoroughly, or slightly pricks them. Rest
assured that if they do not pitch or lower to your decoys at
the first, second or third round, they eventually will do so

64

BROADLAND SPORT

if everything is in order and as it should be. They will often
disappear entirely from sight for an hour or more, and yet
come back, affording an easy chance. Their memories are far
better than the majority of people give them credit for. Do
they not return year after year to the same nesting haunts ?
and do they not well remember and avoid those places where
they have been persecuted ? Veteran, experienced decoy-
piping men can narrate many instructive, amusing and in-
teresting yarns to support this theory, and will often go so far
as to point out certain birds which are known to them
by sight, in order to more effectively illustrate a particular
narrative.

Bearing all this in mind, the natural reasoning will ensue
that your decoy birds looking and behaving as though real,
and yourself well concealed, the wildfowl are almost certain
to return, sooner or later, bringing, perhaps, others with them,
when your patience will be amply and substantially rewarded.

WATER FOWL

From a painting in tempora by Jan Weenix, 1640- 17 19

CHAPTER VI

OULTON BROAD TO GREAT YARMOUTH

Staying for any length of time round the
shores of Oulton Broad instils the desire into
one's mind to seek other quarters in Broad-
land of which so much is heard, and to ex-
perience the quaint, water-gipsy life which
the guide-books eulogise so extravagantly.

Many are the craft of various tonnage
and rig that may be hired, suffice it therefore,
for present purposes, if one or two of the
leading classes are described.

The Warrior, one of the numerous com-
fortable letting wherries, fitted for pleasure
cruising, is a craft of a class which is a
peculiarity to Broadland. In no part of the
world, except Norfolk, are these wherries to
be met with, where the more they are used,
the more useful and convenient to the water-
ways are they found to be.

In order to convey a clearer idea a plan
is appended showing the amount of accommodation afforded
on board.

On the Warrior (a vessel of thirty tons registered
burthen) six or more have plenty of elbow-room and to
spare. She only draws three feet of water, her mast lowers
with great ease, and she is capable of going anywhere it may
be desired to take her. Besides, there is a 14-foot dinghy
with a lug-sail of about 140 square feet area, and dagger plate
centre-board, as tender ; also a small gunning-punt for fishing
and shooting purposes. There is a dark room for photography,
a yacht's piano for the muse, warming apparatus for cold

E 65

66

BROADLAND SPORT

evenings, w.c, and every other luxury that heart can desire
on a house-boat. No wonder in Norfolk these craft are so
much appreciated and in such great request, especially during
the summer months.

Norfolk wherries, which were until recent years used only
for trading purposes, range from fifteen to sixty tons burden,
and to contend against the roughness of the intending usage
they are clinker built, well tarred and pitched. A narrow
deck, or quanting path, runs all round the vessel ; there are
no bulwarks, and the navigators' cabin is situated aft. The
fore deck makes a good size platform, under which is a
store-room for spare gear; the hold is capacious, and
the hatches are raised three or four feet above the deck,
which in a wherry fitted for pleasure cruising allow windows

to run all round the ship, so there is no want of light : and,
when lying to, these hatches form a magnificent promenade
deck. Wherries have but a single sail, of enormous size, held
in place by one spar only. This sail is hoisted by a winch,
and can be lowered at a minute's notice with the greatest
ease. Sometimes it is enlarged by lacing a strip of canvas
along its base, which is termed a bonnet.

The mast is stepped well forward and held by a single
fore-stay, and is easily balanced with lead (averaging over
a ton in weight), and a boy can lower or raise it to its proper
position with the assistance of the aforesaid stay.

There are hundreds of trading wherries in Norfolk, and
of late years a large number have been temporarily or
permanently converted into pleasure-going craft. Amongst
the latter are many magnificently fitted, with every con-
ceivable convenience, luxury and bric-d-brac, which would
rival many of the best house-boats on the Thames.

OULTON BROAD TO GREAT YARMOUTH 67

In sailing, wherries are safe but slow, yet it is astonishing
the ground they can cover in a short space of time, forty to fifty
miles a day not being uncommon. In price of hire, pleasure
wherries vary from £8 to £20 per week, according to
their accommodation and size. This includes two men, the
tender before mentioned, and everything requisite for a cruise,
excepting food and drink. There is plenty of room for eight

THE WHERRY WARRIOR.

persons on board, so the expenses do not come very heavy
when divided.

For those who do not feel inclined to hire a wherry, there
are many other craft to select from. Cutters, schooners,
Lateen, Una, and yachts of other rig may be hired at Oulton
Broad, as well as elsewhere. The yachts vary in tonnage from
two to fifty tons, and in price accordingly, but they are so
numerous and varied in design it would be tedious to

68 BROADLAND SPORT

minutely describe them. Then there are the open boats with
awnings, as well as canoes and other boats which carry tents
for camping on shore ; the latter are the least to be recom-
mended. Of late house-boats have come more into use,
and it is not an altogether unusual sight to see a gentleman
of a sporting turn of mind coming up the river in a steam
launch, drawing behind him a comfortable house-boat for
living purposes, a half -rater, and a 14-foot racing dinghy.

In order that the reader may gain the desired information
as to sport and locality in the most interesting and readable
form, an imaginary cruise had perhaps best be organised.

The preliminary details as to requisites for creature
comforts, varying so much in accordance with the tastes of
the individual, need not be commented on. Therefore let us
start.

Everything having been stored on board in accordance
with our liking, we hoist the sail at Oulton Lock and shape
a course towards Great Yarmouth and Breydon Water.
Passing over the Broad the water foams at the bows, and
excellent headway is made under a stiff south-easterly
breeze. On crossing Borrow's Ham many anglers may be
noticed at work, still more of them further westward occupy-
ing favourite swims. One of our party, whose sympathies
are solely with the gun, is sitting disconsolate on the fore-
hatch, hoping against hope that he may obtain the first
mallard of the season, but Fortune does not smile on him.
Although several ducks are seen hovering over the White-
caste Marshes, they know far too much to come within
200 yards of the river when so many boats are in evidence.
Quitting the Broad, Oulton Dyke is entered (or as this
part of it is perhaps more commonly called " Fishrow "),
with Whitecaste and the Poors Marshes on the left, and
che pine-clad gravel hills of Fishrow on the right.

What an excellent rabbit warren these hills would make.
But, as our waterman says, and he is a practical man, who
goes more by rule of thumb than theory, "No doubt the
situation would do, perhaps it is one of the best you could

OULTON BROAD TO GREAT YARMOUTH 69

get in the county, but the cost of protecting the rabbits
against poachers would prevent the job paying ; bounded
as it is on the north by the railway, on the west and east
by country lanes, and on the south by public water, the
temptation to the wayside and professional poacher would
be too great."

Leaving Fishrow, the Horse-shoe Point is rounded,
giving a straight run of over a mile up Oulton Dyke. On
the right-hand side are the remnants of the Old Skeleton
Mill — a landmark for good bream swims ; at the end of the
reach, on our left hand, is the entrance of the Beccles River,
and a hundred yards further on the right is the picturesque
station of the water-bailiff, who is the servant of the Yare
and Bure Fish Preservation Society. An intending visitor
cannot do better than consult him as to the ways of the fish
and fowl in his immediate neighbourhood. Within a few
hundred yards of the house-boat are many good swims for
bream, and five or six stone a day is a long way short of the
record.

The bailiff's quarters are well chosen at the junction of
the two rivers, whilst his temporary home is anchored in an
indent to the entrance , creek of Flixton Broad, and well
screened by a clump of willows.

As this most picturesque nook of Broadland fades in the
distance, the White House Reach, at one time notorious for
flight shooting, is entered. Fowl from Flixton Broad and
Fritton decoy are accustomed to pass over this reach to and
from their feeding-grounds, but it is not worth while to
stop on the off chance of a shot, the North River being far
superior in this respect to anything to be obtained here-
abouts. Flixton Broad is an ornamental piece of water,
well-stocked with fish notable for their size. The Broad is
very prettily situated, and although private and strictly
preserved, it is not difficult to obtain the necessary
permit.

On rounding the bend of White House Reach, Somerleyton
comes in view, and our companion with the gun has his

7o BROADLAND SPORT

patience rewarded by several long shots at peewits, although
the birds are too far off for his shot to take effect.

At Somerleyton Bridge one often has to wait for the train
to pass over before they will open it to allow one to proceed
on the way. Between Somerleyton and Haddiscoe Bridges,
a distance of over a mile, there is little to interest the
sportsman. Peewits are at all times plentiful, although
they seldom come within gun-shot of boats on the river.
A few years back this reach was a breeding-ground of a
considerable number of moorhens, but now they all seem to
have been shot or driven away. Emerging from Haddiscoe
Bridge, the New Cut lies directly in front ; it is a canal some
three miles in length, built by Sir Morton Peto when the ruinous
project was in vogue of attempting to make Norwich a
port. There is no fishing to be obtained in this Cut, and
as the train runs beside it all the way, the shooting is equally
profitless. Yarmouth being our destination, and having a
fair wind for the old river, we leave the Cut on our left,
and immediately arrive at St Olaves Suspension Bridge. In
order to pass under it the mast must be lowered, which
occupies some little time, and a trip along the banks of
the river, to the ruins of the old priory, on the right-hand
bank, is worth taking.

The remains of the once famous and grand old abbey,
from which the village of St Olaves takes its name, are more
interesting than is at first anticipated; the crumbling walls
run quite to the water's edge, and in many places they have
been desecrated to common and base uses, as barns, cow-sheds,
pigstyes and cottages.

Headquarters for sportsmen will be found at St Olaves
Bell, a house much frequented by tourists during the summer
season. It is an old-fashioned inn, with bowling-greens and
tea-gardens beside the river bank. Living as well as boat
hire will be found exceedingly cheap, and good fishing can be
obtained in the neighbourhood.

A stoppage should be made here in order to pay a visit to
the far-famed Fritton Lake which in shape is like the

OULTON BROAD TO GREAT YARMOUTH 71

letter S, it is two miles in length and wonderfully picturesque,
whilst many are the pictures of this Switzerland of Suffolk
that have been hung in the Royal Academy. The fishing is
excellent, and, at the same time, free to all, and more bream
may be taken in one day with a rod than can be carried home
alone. Several abandoned decoy pipes are to be found in the
secluded nooks round the water, and at the easternmost ex-
tremity is one in full working order. During hard weather
thousands of wild ducks are taken in this decoy and sent to
the London markets. The average season produces about
1500 to 2000, but as many as 180 have been taken in a single
haul. There are many other decoys in Broadland, but they
are gradually being abandoned owing to the great seclusion
they require. At Somerton, on the sand dunes, between the
Broads and the sea, was the smallest and most successful
decoy in the whole of Broadland, but some thirty years ago
it fell into disuse and has now quite grown up. Norfolk
decoys have of late years been more often worked as a hobby
than from a mercenary view, therefore the records of their
victims cannot be compared with elsewhere, as, for instance,
the old Ashby decoy in Lincolnshire, where the bag from
September 1833 to April 1868 totalled 99,052 fowl; including
47,764 mallard, 44,658 teal, 2119 widgeon, 285 shovellers, 275
pintail and 11 gadwall.

The property round Fritton Lake is owned by several
persons, chief among them being Sir Saville Crossley, who
strictly preserves the shooting, which, it is needless to say, is
excellent. Boats may be obtained on the water at Fritton
Old Hall. The grounds surrounding the house are prettily
laid out, well kept up, and this is a good place for a picnic.

Returning to St Olaves, we find all in readiness to proceed
on our voyage. In sailing away from the old grey ruins of
the abbey, an expanse of heath on the right-hand bank of the
river cannot fail to attract attention ; it is very good shooting
ground, but private. Away to the left stretches nothing but
marsh and water. On a fine afternoon, with the sun haze
rising over the marshes causing distant objects to be indistinct,

72 BROADLAND SPORT

one is reminded of Holland so strongly that it is difficult to
realise one is not again in that interesting country. Whilst
the number of watermills that can be counted upon the horizon
is astonishing.

As the course of the winding river is pursued, unmistak-
able signs of salt water are encountered, and as the river widens
more and more so do the mud banks show themselves, until,
rounding a low point, a glimpse of Breydon Flats, left almost
bare by the fast-ebbing tide, presents itself. To the right,
two or three miles distant, are the ivy-clad ruins of Burgh
Castle, or all that now remains of it. Its walls stand out
bright against a background of dark-foliaged trees, which
show up more prominently against a blue sky, and with the
lime-kilns at the foot of the hills, and the green flat marshes
in the foreground well studded with the yellow marigold,
form a picture long to be remembered.

At this junction of the three waters — Breydon, the Waveney
and the Yare — is situated the Berney Arms, a marsh tavern,
unlike any other inn, because of its peculiar situation and its
uninteresting surroundings. Queer company one meets with
within its smoke-begrimed walls, and many a good punting
yarn the old benches could tell if they had but tongue. The
quarters are not to be recommended, although the wildfowler
may be glad at times to avail himself of whatever poor hos-
pitality the inn can afford. In the " good old days " many a
cargo of contraband goods found a temporary resting-place
here ; the situation being most auspicious for its distribution.

A little further into Breydon, on the left-hand bank, is a
breakwater of wooden piles, locally called the Dicky Works,
and further on, in a small harbour leading to a sluice-gate, a
fleet of house-boats of the poorest kind, used by the fishers
and gunners of Breydon Water. This bleak and exposed part
of the flats is the most sought by the professional gunner, and
it is capable of affording more sport than at first would be
anticipated. At due season of the year smelts are to be
obtained in large quantities, which many consider the finest
fish that come to table from inland waters. Codling, coal fish

OULTON BROAD TO GREAT YARMOUTH 73

and whiting may also be taken. The deep water here is
more frequented than many other parts of Breydon by fowl,
and heavy shots are made, either at early dawn or dewy eve,
and being so far away from the town of Yarmouth (some
three or four miles), the shore shooters are not so likely to
disturb the punter when laying-to fowl.

Those visiting the neighbourhood for the purpose of shoot-
ing on Breydon Water will do well to pass some of their time
moored to the
Dicky Works, or in
the above - men-
tioned creek.

Breydon Water
is one of the largest
lagoons in the
Broadland district,
and when the
weather is at all
foggy or hazy one
cannot see across it.
It is about five
miles long and one
mile broad. The
channel by which
vessels cross and
re-cross is marked
out by posts set a
hundred yards or
more apart, but the
shallows extend some way beyond the posts, and a local
knowledge is required to navigate a yacht successfully
against wind and tide, unless one does not object to occa-
sionally " touching the putty," as the yachtsmen say, or, in
other words, running aground.

At high water the mud flats are entirely covered, at low
water they are bare, with channels or creeks dissecting them
in every direction ; whilst being but a mile from the sea, the

IN THE PUTTY.

74 BROADLAND SPORT

estuary is a favourite haunt for fowl and waterbirds of all
descriptions, and sportsmen and ornithologists come many
miles to visit this locality in the hope of sport and specimens.

When a party cruising in Broadland contains one or
more sportsmen on board, a council meeting is generally
held on arrival at the Dicky Works.

The question to be considered is, whether to lay-to for
the night, or proceed to the quay at Great Yarmouth ? We
compromise matters, arranging to stay one night at each
place. Next morning our gunner is up before dawn and
out in the punt with one of the watermen. He was fortunate,
as he secured a duck and mallard, a reeve, two May birds
(whimbrel), a young curlew, and a nice bunch of oxbirds.
He informed us he might have shot several herons had he
been of a mind to do so, but he refrained — with which course
we all heartily concurred. At twelve o'clock we once more pro-
ceeded on our way, making Yarmouth in time for lunch. Great
Yarmouth is so well-known that there is no need to describe
it, beyond the few words which may be useful to sportsmen.

Yachts, boats, punts, steam-launches, and almost every kind
of craft may be bought or hired at Yarmouth from many
agents, but it is not as good a centre to start from for a sporting
cruise as either Oulton Broad, Norwich or Wroxham.

On the North Quay and in the hamlet of Cobham Island
reside many professional gunners and watermen. Punts can
be hired by the day or week, with or without a swivel gun,
and either breech or muzzle-loading. There are many hotels
in Great Yarmouth, but those who go for the shooting only
wTill do well to take up their quarters as near to Breydon
Water as possible. If they are working for the early morn-
ing they had better secure a berth on one of the house-boats
lying in the creek before mentioned, otherwise they may
have to row a couple of miles or more before the first streak
of dawn appears. During a hard winter, when the feathered
tribe is frozen and starved out from inland waters, birds of all
kinds congregate in vast numbers on Breydon Water, which,
but for the number of gunners and shore shooters that abound,

OULTON BROAD TO GREAT YARMOUTH 75

would be an excellent gunning ground. It is and always has
been celebrated for the rare birds to be obtained there.

At certain times of the year good rod and line fishing
may be obtained off the Knole Point, situated about 100
yards from the Suspension Bridge, due west. Fishing in the
sea from the piers is much practised in the spring and summer
months, and casting from the beach in the spring and autumn.

To obtain sport at wildfowl in the Roads out at sea off
Caistor or Gorleston it will be found best to hire a shrimp
boat, in the bows of which a swivel gun can be mounted.
The man who handles the swivel must be an extremely
smart hand, or most of the shots will be discharged into the
briny within a few feet of the bows of the boat. The shoot-
ing to be had in this manner is often very good, but the fowl
are so wary that approach is difficult, and only those who
are experienced and old hands at the game make heavy bags.
Fowl which frequent the sea are accustomed to see the shrimp
boats daily, and do not pay so much regard to that class as
to other craft.

When one is unable to obtain a shot by sailing, it will
often be found advantageous to success to lay -to, riding at
anchor upon a long cable, with one hand at watch on the
rope, who can sheer the boat when he observes a bunch of
fowl coming within apparent range, so that the man at the
swivel can get a pull down at them as they pass by.

Sometimes a large party hire a fleet of shrimpers and
anchor in the Roads about eighty yards apart, in a line at right
angles to the beach, and well out. They are armed with
heavy shoulder guns, and have in attendance one or more
small boats with which to pick up the dead and wounded,
which are soon washed beyond all hope of recovery by the
fast-running tide, unless some precautions are taken to guard
against it. Other boats sail about north and south of the line
and stir up the fowl, which lead up and down the sea-covered
sandbanks. Good fun, with plenty of difficult shots at all
angles, may be obtained in this manner, but it takes a large
party to ensure anything like success.

76

BROADLAND SPORT

When the sea is smooth enough a punt, with or without
a sail, may be used, and gunners often bring home fifty to a
hundred fowl shooting in this style.

Sometimes enthusiastic shooters hire a tug and go out in
her, but it is not a course to be recommended, and the sport
must be indifferent unless the shooters are murderous enough
to choose seagulls as their quarry.

The shooting on the beach is at all times poor and in-
different, although a collector often picks up good specimens
of a valuable nature. Not so long ago an Asiatic plover was
killed near the Yarmouth jetty, which was sold to the
Norwich Museum for £10 or £12.

Sailing from Lowestoft in the direction of South wold is a
better hunting-ground for sea-shooting than Great Yarmouth.
If anyone is desirous of taring their luck they could not do
better than hire a sea-going cutter during September or
October, so they can lie at anchor all night off Cove Hythe
in order to catch the mallard, widgeon and pochard, which
use Easton and Benacre Broads as well as the sandbanks in
the Roads. Later on in the season Brent geese are migrating
as well as many kinds of long-winged fowl, and sport is
almost a certainty. During October the duck in this locality
can be numbered in their thousands. The trip can also be
extended up the Ryburgh and Aldeborough rivers ; the
Blackwater and other good punting grounds can also be
visited. The cost of yachts at this season of the year is about
half what it is in the summer, and with food would not cost
each member of the party above £5 per head per week, whilst
the fowl shot, if sold, go some way towards paying expenses.

l'L'NTS.MEN S HOUSEBOATS ON BREVDON.

CHAPTER VII

WILDFOWLTNG AT SEA

The first morning at Great Yarmouth the rain poured down
incessantly, and the time was passed smoking and studying
the "few books that were on board. From one of them it was
discovered that the then present father of scientific puntsmen,
Mr Fielding Harmer, resided in the Borough, and as he was
known to one of the party it was determined to send a note
inviting him to an " At Home " during the afternoon, R.S.V.P.
en personne.

Graciously he accepted the invitation, and as it was our
wish to have a debate upon the question of estuary shooting
both with shoulder and punt guns, he gave the names of
several professional gunners living near the North Quay (to
which we were moored), who were also invited to the "At
Home." These guests were most entertaining. Some were
rough, uncouth specimens of humanity, whose exterior appear-
ance would have prejudiced the minds of many, but the
knowledge that genuine sporting instincts lay hid beneath
their furrowed and weather-beaten skin cemented a kindred
fellowship of which there was no reason to be ashamed.

At first the majority of these visitors were reticent and
uncommunicative, but after a few yarns had been spun and
the whisky bottle freely circulated, tongues became loosened,

77

78 BROADLAND SPORT

and anecdote after anecdote, with quaint experiences and
most interesting personal reminiscences, followed one another
in quick succession. All branches of estuary shooting were
freely discussed and debated from most points of view.
The company included men who had had opportunities of
wildfowling on nearly every nook and corner of the coastline
of England, Ireland and Holland, consequently much valuable
information was imparted as the outcome of the gathering,
and its termination could not have been regretted more than
by those who had been the organisers of it.

Mr Fielding Harmer, of course, was looked up to as an
authority few would dare venture to contradict, and he gave
many minute details of the habits of fowl on estuaries,
gleaned from personal observation, which, with his consent,
found place in our capacious note-book. For over forty years
he has made wildfowling his hobby and study, and although
seventy years had passed over his head he still punted up the
creeks of Breydon Water before the first flush of rosy dawn
showed itself upon a wintry sky.

The experiences of this oldtime gunner assisted more than
anything else to extract the opinions of the others, and our
roughly-scribbled notes of the views expressed soon assumed
bulky proportions.

After the company had dissolved we sat far into the night
arranging, classifying and editing the salient points.

To dissect a mass of hurriedly-taken notes and place them
before a reader in an interesting form is a task which is big
in itself, and at the same time puzzles the editor not a little.
Therefore, in order that this difficulty may in a measure be
overcome, we have divided the discussion into branches of the
various phases of sport to be obtained from the estuaries and
roadsteads on the East Coast, which in reality form the
borders of Broadland.

Preliminary.
Few persons have any clear conception of the amount of

WILDFO WLING A T SEA 7 9

skill and knowledge of the habits of birds which one must
possess in order to become a successful wildfowler.

" Unwearied patience, persevering toil
Alone can crown the fowler's eager hopes,
Whate'er the season or whate'er the sport."

But beyond these there are a thousand and one other little
incidentals which books and instruction can never teach, how-
ever useful they both may be ; these can alone be acquired by
practical experience.

The habits of wildfowl will be found to vary considerably
according to the locality they are frequenting, whether it be
a tidal estuary, an inland morass or a fresh- water Broad.

On a tidal estuary, for instance, certain species feed on
the ebb and rest during the flood (regardless of night or day) ;
whilst, in contravention to this, freshwater fowl, consisting
chiefly of long-winged fowl and surface feeders, when at
home in open weather, take their rest during the daytime and
commence feeding as nightfall approaches, their habits being-
regulated by weather, daylight, or their own convenience ;
whilst others adapt themselves to the ever-changing phases of
the moon. And it is only by a careful study and knowledge
of their habits that one can tell where they are eventually to
be found. Generally on estuaries the great quarry is
widgeon, which keep their feeding-time strictly in accordance
with the rise and fall of the tide, so if the birds have arrived
one invariably knows where and when they should be sought.
The most extraordinary peculiarity of widgeon is their own
peculiar language, concerning which a great deal has been pre-
viously written and discussed; and the manner in which ex-
perienced punters understand what th e birds are doing and think-
ing about by their cries is certainly nothing short of marvellous,
and not to be believed until put to a practical test. Yet the
habits of wildfowl on estuaries, except in frosty weather, are
fairly consistent. The birds frequent the sea and open water
for a quiet siesta, and uninterrupted toilet after dining, and
return inshore immediately the banks of ooze and edible grass

80 BROADLAND SPORT

commence to become uncovered, remaining there until the
rising tide again drives them to sea ; whilst, if persistently
persecuted and hunted, they , will leave the district entirely,
seeking elsewhere more favourable and secluded shores.

There is nothing more harmful to a " ground," and alarm-
ing to birds, than the continuous firing of shoulder guns
(either from a boat or the shore) if it is wished to preserve the
district for punt-gunning. Of course, public waters well
stocked with gunners are not thus referred to, nor are estuaries
where there is an eager shooter for every fowl in the place, as
in that case it would be an utter impossibility to restrain them
from their endeavours, the argument being that if they don't
shoot the birds somebody else will. This, therefore, accounts
for the diminished stock on our large public shooting grounds,
and the various devices and plans for the destruction of wild-
fowl now carried on, regardless whether they come under
the lawful denomination of sport, or the injury inflicted on
the district, so long as the shooters have the satisfaction of
being able to say that they have shot at a duck. Again,
in some localities it is only possible to carry out one class of
shooting. Where this is the case it should not be too often
resorted to, but carried out in a systematic, skilful manner ;
thus a good day once a week may become almost certain,
where otherwise all the labour, patience and skill in the
world would produce but little result.

WlLDFOWLING AFLOAT.

This branch of sport should on no consideration be chosen
for a " gunning " district, which is a broad principle that all
alike should strictly follow.

The reasons for this ought to be apparent to anyone possess-
ing the crudest rudiments of wildfowling without further com-
ment. Fowl, after feeding on the ebb (or at night), resort to
the open water for rest and sleep, and if they find no security
there, and are unduly harassed, they will desert the coast
altogether ; indeed, in some parts of England it is to be

WILDFO WLING A T SEA 8 1

feared that wildfowl shooting has become a matter of history
on account of the enormous number of craft of all kinds (steam,
manual and sailing) which have incessantly pursued them in
their once much-frequented haunts. Not only do these inex-
perienced harassers expend a maximum of ammunition
for a minimum of birds, but they bring about far more mis-
chief in destroying their confidence more in one day than a
skilled punt-gunner would do in a season ; for rare are the
occasions upon which a puntsman leaves his favourite shallows
to venture into the deep water, since, when he does so, the
result usually proves unsatisfactory, wind, weather, swell and
fifty other things impeding his working, to say nothing of the
other risks to which he is subject.

Birds whose habitat is deep water are generally of the
short- winged and hard species, which are little esteemed by
the epicure ; they invariably sit scattered, rarely being packed,
as on the feeding grounds, thus adding considerably to the
difficulty encountered when trying for a shot a little above the
average, which bright pages in the record of one's sporting
career are, alas ! so very few and far between.

But to the floating armada of boats, what matters it
whether they sit loosely or otherwise ? Their ambition, at most,
does not aspire beyond two or three birds for one discharge ;
and if approach is rendered difficult, rifle, shrapnel shells or
some other devices are brought into play, utterly disregardful
of the great danger attendant on their usage. Their fleet
possesses quantity, quality, also variety, and through its
medium is conducted a special branch of warfare against
the feathered tribe. Let us investigate the different
methods of procedure which they employ. We will take an
imaginary trip in a steam-launch, such as is often met with
cruising about the mouth of Harwich Harbour, the Thames,
the Medway, or, in fact, on almost all waters near large towns
capable of affording refuge to even a gull or loon. Our
craft is well suited for her purpose, has smokeless and silent
engines, is freighted with provisions, plenty of good liquor and
tobacco, a punt-gun mounted on her bows, and a jovial party

F

82 BROADLAND SPORT

inside, armed to the teeth with 4-bores, 8-bores, double and single
rifles, and every imaginable device calculated to slay or drive
away any living thing in or out of range. A fitful wind off
the land, with occasional snow squalls, is most favourable to
the project, so let us have it so. Such conditions of weather
cause an uneasiness in the birds, and plenty of small " trips " to
constantly lead about, gladdening the hearts of the blood-
thirsty crew.

Presently the man in the bows, with binoculars, sights
a bunch of fowl, and a chorus of excited exclamations ensue.
Our captain, however, asserts command, and silences all by
issuing his directions. One takes his position at the big gun,
another in the stern, while the remainder, grasping their
weapons in eager expectancy, crowd under cover of the
gunwale, reminding one of pirates preparing to board an
unsuspecting merchant vessel. " We must be near enough
now," whispers No. 1. " No, we're not," replies No. 2. "But
the swivel, surely " (which he thinks can kill anything within
sight), "will easily reach them," chimes in No. 3, and so
on, until at last the birds settle further dispute by "jumping"
prematurely. No. 1 cannot restrain himself longer, and
lets off both barrels of his double 8-bore at quite 200 yards'
range (which, over the water, does not look one-third the
distance), then No. 3 and No. 2 respectively join in, whilst,
perhaps, the man at the big gun (who ought to know
better), overcome with the general excitement, adds its dull
boom to the already deafening serenade. Thus the party
proceeds, obtaining shots now and again with little variation
and less result, until at last an unfortunate duck, receiving
a stray pellet, is pinioned, then — oh, joy ! — up starts the
whole piratical crew, eager to claim and prove that to his
own individual prowess fell the prize, and, amidst the general
confusion, irregular volleys are discharged haphazard at the
victim, which, at length, half-drowned with constant and
prolonged diving, is secured by the assistance of boat-hook
and landing-net.

Or, to vary proceedings, perhaps, after several unsuccessful

WILDFO WLING A T SEA S3

attempts at approaching some " hard fowl," a volley of pellets
and rifle bullets is discharged at the artful curres, when, lo ! and
behold, peaceful (too often otherwise disposed) fishermen may
be discerned in the distance, expostulating with frantic signals
at what they evidently consider a direct attempt at murder
on the high seas, and on coming within earshot are discovered
bo be remonstrating, in language more forcible than refined,
against shooters in general and our party in particular.
These manoeuvres are repeated until many miles from home,
when the boat bears up and retraces her course, discovering
that great success has been achieved in one respect at
all events, viz., in thoroughly frightening every bird from
the neighbourhood; for now there remains only an odd
cripple or two, with a solitary " sprat -boy," * where in the
morning hundreds of birds had been visible. Even that
solitary and usually so tame old loon * will not have the
politeness to gratify the desires of the gentleman with
the Martini-Henry who thinks perhaps that, fisherman or
no fisherman, he would otherwise have distinguished him-
self.

This trip may be a day's outing, but it cannot be called
sport, and its participators, in mitigation of the harm they
have done, argue that they will not be likely to revisit the
district for some time to come, when more birds will be sure
to have found their way back again.

Assuming a party, such as described, chance upon a fairly
good gunning estuary for their so-called sport, the poor gunner
who may have been for days nursing for a shot will find
his ground so thoroughly upset that he will be compelled to
wait patiently for weeks before he can continue his shooting.

The steam-launch party, after having scared away all the
fowl from the open water, are rarely contented to remain
there, but skirt the shore and poke up every creek capable
of receiving their draught of water, blazing at oxbirds, sand-
pipers, and every bag of bones encased in a feathered
skin.

* Speckled diver.

84 BROAD LAND SPORT

This is a true sketch taken from one of many suchlike
excursions, where the shooters know little or nothing of
fowling, but, having gleaned a few hints from some work
on the subject, their purse provides the remainder. Yet, on the
other hand, when the right men go in a properly-adapted
launch, managing her judiciously, with a thought for the
morrow, good sport is sometimes obtained, where by other
means it would be impossible, although on fairly private
water it is always to be deprecated.

Turn to another and, on the face of it, perhaps more
feasible method of fowling afloat, viz., under sail ; though
this method likewise, when improperly carried out, is almost
as injurious in its results as wildfowling from a steam
launch.

After mentioning that campaigns similar to the one just
described are also organised in shrimpers and small sailing
craft, with a big gun mounted in the bow, we will take
another imaginary flight with the crew of one of the small
coasting yachts so often seen anchored at the mouths of our
estuaries, for a day or two's fowling, and not being provided
with swivel or punt guns, make shift with what sport can be
obtained from her deck with ordinary large-bore shoulder
guns. As sailing craft are more or less dependent upon tides
and weather for their progress, they cannot possibly cover
half the "ground," nor bring about one tithe of the injury
that a steam vessel invariably accomplishes. Nevertheless,
in "gunning" districts, every other manner of shooting is
obnoxious and hurtful to the punter's interests except
legitimate punting.

We are on board a small yacht (or, best of all, fishing boat
of that class mostly used in the neighbourhood one happens
to be in), with a good sportive old salt as gubernator, anchored
under the lee of the shore, our party having turned in to bunk
earlier than usual to obtain the requisite sleep prior to rising
before the dawn, which is by far the best time for duck
shooting. We turn out an hour before Aurora shows her
first glimmer above the eastern horizon, and, full of ex-

WILDFOWLING AT SEA 85

pectancy and hope, get under weigh, gliding noiselessly from
our moorings, with binoculars and ears in full action. As
previously, let us suppose the circumstances to be favourable,
with every man at his place, for it is often at this hour one
finds himself suddenly and unexpectedly at close quarters
with the birds. But see! the preconcerted signal; arm
dropped and linger telegraph denoting the presence of fowl,
whilst strained eyes detect several indistinct movable dots on
the surface of the briny, not a hundred yards distant. All
three guns are levelled in readiness; nearer, yet a little
nearer, and then they rise ; bang — bang ! bang ! bang ! The
welcome smell of powder, a napping on the water, the in-
veterate cripple making off to windward, and the helm is put
down intercepting his course, which the 12-bore effectively
finishes. Then the craft is shot into the eye of the wind in
the midst of the struggling victims, the cripple net is eagerly
called for in two or three places at once, and by its aid the
dead birds are gathered in. But over zeal has caused too
much way to be given to our boat, leaving a third cripple astern,
necessitating intricate nautical manoeuvres, deftly carried out
under the direction of the skipper, accompanied by much haul-
ing on ropes. After some difficulty in " re-spotting," all the
cripples are secured, whilst, of course, a vain search is made
for the imaginary remainder. Congratulations and the
inevitable dram follow, when observance of bearings shows
that a considerable advance has been made into the open
water, whilst daylight has rapidly developed from its
glimmering glow into full clearness. Another bunch of fowl
is shortly announced, and we sail directly for it, but over-
confidence from former success leads our party to misjudge
distance and fire prematurely.

Judging distance when shooting over water is the greatest
difficulty which a gunner has to surmount, and to what
extent this is the case only those who have experienced it
are able to realise ; but here it acts as a wholesome steadier
to one's intrepidity, causing the old salt to seriously shake
his head, take a fresh quid of twist, and mutter, " Warts

86 BROADLAND SPORT

t' use o' waisten powder an shart loike that there ? better
sheut t' bleuming moon," etc., whilst the fowl begin to
awaken to the fact that that seemingly innocent-looking
exterior must contain rather more dangerous inmates than
they at first supposed, and they apparently determine to
give it a wide berth in future. Their quiet domestic circles
are filled with suspicion and fear. The last volley in the
open confirmed their worst apprehensions, besides alarming
the whole neighbourhood, for as soon as our bow is turned
towards any of the birds, they rise, leading off in all
directions, and leave our small boat alone on the billowy
wave So we ease her sheet and take a run to leeward,
where fortune intervenes in the shape of a small skein of
geese, sighted from the starboard quarter.

Now, fowl at sea, or in the open water, and more
especially geese, where they have not been harassed too
much, will often allow a sailing boat to approach within a
short distance, in comparison to what they will in the case
of a rowing-boat, gun-punt or steam launch. The reason can
only be assumed to be, and most probably is, because, firstly
— they are accustomed to see sailing ships and fishing vessels
in their immediate proximity, and rarely being molested by
them do not attach one half the suspicion or importance that
they would to any other class of craft which they observe
cautiously sneaking down upon them ; and secondly — a small
sail may appear to them little different to a larger one, which
happens to be further off; whilst the great speed at which
a shrimper or gunning-punt (she must not have too much
freeboard for this work), with strong tide under her, and
fair wind, travels, enable such to approach within a hundred
yards before the birds can decide in their minds whether she
really is near or afar off.

Knowing this, our crew adopt these tactics for the geese,
and with a flowing sheet, under the fast-freshening wind,
<s romp " into their midst, dealing death and destruction by
a sudden volley from all the artillery on board, resulting in
five killed and two wounded. Bringing up head to wind

WILDFOWLING AT SEA 87

the dead are secured, followed by luffing up on a real wild-
goose chase after the cripples. In the general excitement
to secure them, however, we make much farther seaward
than " old Salubrious " likes, and we are obliged to take in a
couple of reefs before his cautious old soul is satisfied. But
his " larnin' and prorfecy 'o trorshin to win'ard in a 'ead
wind as bein' a trifle damp," is fully justified, and one and all
are greatly relieved to find themselves safely ensconced in a
small creek under shelter of the land. All the fowl have
long ago been driven away by the noise of firing, and nothing
beyond the plaintive shriek from a solitary " whaup " *
greets our re-appearance, so, letting go the anchor, we make
up for the night, clean our guns, lay the cloth, and complete
all arrangements in providing comfort for the inner as well
as the outer man.

Then we have trips made by would-be sportsmen in
rowing boats and such like, but these are too common and
well-known to need touching upon.

But to describe what is known to be a novelty to most
people, whether they be ooze-trotters, wild-fowlers, pro-
fessional gunners, amateurs, or casual readers, is a method
only in vogue on the east coast of England (where curres,
short-winged or hard fowl abound), which is brought into
practical use either at the mouth of a large estuary or in a
comparatively open roadstead with good rise and fall of
tide. It may aptly be designated "a wildfowl battue."

For the purpose of describing it we will start on another
imaginary expedition. Hearing from the fishermen on the
coast that immense quantities of fowl are in the roads, we
form a party, and charter ten to fifteen shrimpers, yawls,
or, as before mentioned, boats of that kind which are used
and suited to the neighbourhood; apportioning a couple of
shooters to each boat, besides her usual crew, we sail, row,
or are towed to the intended scene of action, where we
anchor at equal distances apart, at intervals of about sixty
yards, with a very long line for cable, and to enable us to

* Curlew

88 BROADLAND SPORT

sheer about, impelled by the tide, as may prove desirable.
Loading the heavy shoulder guns, also our soothing pipes,
we lie low and await the issue of events. Some, perhaps,
indulge in the gentle art of fishing to while away the time
between the nights of the fowl, for, similar to partridge
driving in a sparsely-stocked country, there are not only
certain periodical intervals of waiting, but there is also the
glorious uncertainty of their coming over your stand as the
fortunate gun. Our men placed in position, the driving
launches or other craft used for a similar purpose commence
their part of the work ; making a big circuit, they get on the
far side of the birds, and then commence such eccentric move-
ments as to raise suspicion, causing the birds to rise in
detachments and work over the line of boats, who take
their toll accordingly. These tactics are repeated again
and again, until the birds become too knowing for their
persevering would-be destroyers.

If the fickle goddess Fortune turns her countenance upon
the sportsmen, good fun sometimes results, the bag, however,
consisting mostly of hard fowl and scoters, the latter worthless
for consumption and the former not so very tempting, which
rather mars one's enjoyment of the sport ; for where is the
pleasure in killing that which is harmless and unfit for food ?
or what sport can one find in killing for the sake of killing
only ? But then, on the other hand, although a refined palate
objects to the fishy and oleaginous flavour of a tough old
" mussel duck," there are many people in the great Metropolis
who by no means turn up their noses thereat, and finding that
that great vortex for the receipt of game — namely, Leadenhall
Market — will always dispose of them, the objection grounded
on killing for killing's sake is overcome, and on reconsideration
the fun does not seem " so dusty " after all. Again, the birds
are by no means easy to " double up," especially if one is un-
accustomed to shoot from a boat, and that boat on the sea, and
when they are " doubled up " it is far from being the last of
them ; they must be gathered, and if one succeeds in bagging
three only from every five knocked down it is indeed fortunate.

WILDFO WL1NG A T SEA 89

This reference to the difficulty encountered when gathering
the birds brings to memory an amusing incident which hap-
pened many years since, and runs as follows : — All arrange-
ments for a scoter battue had been completed, and the party
was on the point of starting from Musseldom beach, in the
county of Curreshire, no less than eleven boats strong, not
including the drivers, when a young enthusiast begged very
hard to be allowed to take part in the expedition. He
had lent a helping hand in former fowling* exploits, on
more occasions than one, whilst his pleading, upturned
countenance, and eyes aglow with all the fire of over-
powering excitement, which he could ill conceal, was so
entreating that one's fellow-feelings of sporting instinct
softened towards him, and he was granted a berth in one of
the boats. Not much notice was taken of this extraordinary
shore-loafer until the line was fairly anchored, and the first
batch or two of black duck had passed over. He fired, although
the birds were at least eighty yards off, and then attention
was drawn to the peculiar appendages produced for extracting
his loading requisites. First came the powder, taken from an
old medicine bottle, and carefully measured in an ordinary
clay pipe bowl : on the top of this a ball of brown paper,
rammed home, followed by a handful of shot from his left-
hand breeches-pocket; another paper wad, and barrel No. 1
was charged to the full satisfaction and evident pride of its
owner. Barrel No. 2 he did not interfere with, because, as he
explained, it had long since burst, and was now corked up to
prevent mistakes. The lock (kept in position by a piece of
string) was next cocked, primed and capped, and is it to be
wondered at that, after this display, he was generously allotted
the whole of the bows of the boat for his absolute disposal
during the remainder of the day ? One last remark on his
prowess. He actually drew first blood by winging a " black "
duck, and his joy thereat was far greater than can be described
in words. Jumping on to the boom, he was just in time to see
his bird dive, and turning to us a piteous face, the very picture
of despair and disappointment, he exclaimed, in a voice of

9o

BROADLAND SPORT

anguish, " Why, I'll be blowed if my duck ain't gone and
sunk."

But, taking it all round, this, together with all other
methods of wildfowl-shooting, is poor indeed in comparison
to punt-shooting proper, for besides being injurious to the
" ground," the bag is invariably small, the birds are not half
so palatable, and the expenses attendant thereon are far greater.
Further, if the practices mentioned under this heading are
continually resorted to on good gunning estuaries, the better
species of fowl are apt to be irretrievably driven away for
the remainder of the season. Whereas, on the other hand, by
judicious punt-shooting on the flats, as will be hereafter shown,
a large quantity of birds are usually obtainable without per-
ceptibly breaking up or injuring their haunts, whilst the sport
is a thousand times more scientific, satisfactory and enjoyable.
But that want of skill and endurance, which so few possess,
and still fewer exercise sufficient perseverance to attain, pre-
judices the many against the few who are capable of success-
fully carrying it out. It is, however, to be sincerely hoped that
common sense and good judgment will weigh the balance in
favour of the much-abused and so little-known art, namely,
" Legitimate Punt Gunning."

'HE OLD SHIP RUN ON BREYDON.

CHAPTER VIII

PUNT-GUNNING

'' So ! You take a punt and a
cannon, blaze into masses of
slumbering birds, killing and
maiming them, utterly regard-
less of how many you gather,
and call that sport ? Well, give
me a hardy Norfolk retriever,
the run of an Essex marsh, and
all the best-stocked estuaries in
this limited kingdom would not
tempt me to enter one of your
damp, rotten, diminutive old
mud barges, to
drift into large
flocks of fowl
and kill a hun-
dred at a shot.
Why don't you
start a decoy ?
You could have
the satisfaction
of wringing
each one's neck
separately
yourself, which

' would give you far more gratification than killing them all at
once, I'm sure."

Thus ventured to speak an almost anti-shooting member
of our party, who actually had the audacity to express his
personal opinion in the face of our thoroughly practical com-

91

A PUNTSMAN Sl'YING

92 BROADLAND SPORT

pany of visitors on board the Warrior. Whether he did so
by way of a show, or to see what they would say, we do not
know, anyhow, it had the effect of instantly rousing every
man into action and words. They gesticulated and argued
on all sides, several leaving their seats to get closer to the
heretic of their faith, and they almost climbed on to his lap
in their eagerness to convert him.

" You may have had plenty of experience in most sports,
but you clearly know nothing of punt-gunning, or you would
never thus expose your ignorance by repeating such absurd
notions; light your cigar and give us your attention for
half an hour only, and we will try to convert your very
erroneous ideas into a reasonable shape."

Eventually they brought our friend round to vouchsafe
that perhaps it was " not so bad after all," etc. The argu-
ments that were used included the following : —

A good and successful puntsman may in some respects
be compared to a good general ; the latter must be well up
in the geography of the place, and the tactics of managing
and manoeuvring an army of men ; whilst the former must
also be well acquainted with the handling of a large army
of wildfowl, and the skill he requires for such is quite on a
par with that of his bellicose compatriot. When he attacks,
single-handed, a large company of several hundreds — maybe,
thousands — of wildfowl in the open, with perhaps no better
shelter than a small cloud to back him, it is next to impossible
to get within range of the main body ; for the number of
ears, eyes, and quantity of outposts, sentries and stragglers
are always the more numerous the larger the flock. The
extraordinary amount of skill, perseverance and judgment
required in outwitting their instinctive wariness is in-
credible. First, the gunner ventures a semi-approach from
the right, then from the left, now in the centre, until the
birds are worked into a favourable position, and gradually,
little by little, ground is gained. Yet he must in no way
alarm the sentries beyond bare suspicion, but play with
their susceptibilities to such an extent that they retire

94 BROADLAND SPORT

nearer to the congregated mass without sounding an alarm.
He may be hours, sometimes days, before he has the satis-
faction of relinquishing his scull for the trigger ; but patience
is a virtue, and success, in the long run, will inevitably attend
those who persistently persevere. It is not unusual to be
several hours in traversing one hundred yards across flooded
marshes, but such patience is generally rewarded in the end.
And oh ! the excitement experienced when laying-to a large
number of wildfowl; it far exceeds anything that can be
described. It savours of the kind of excitement that is felt
when all depends upon the issue of a single cast ; like the
feelings of a man whose whole fortune hangs upon the result
of a horse race and who is watching the panting quadrupeds
tear up the straight for home locked neck and neck. Then,
perhaps, after an hour or more breathless excitement, and
severe trial to the nerves, your cup of pleasure remains un-
tasted on account of a miss-fire, or even more trifling mishap,
followed by the roaring of many pinions, like the waters of
a cataract, as all rise in a moment and are gone, lost to sight
with none left to make their memory dear ; you alone remain.
How often does one make a shot such as that mentioned ?
Not more than once or twice in a lifetime. Perhaps the
gunner may be indefatigably working the whole winter in
an estuary crowded with birds, and scarcely obtain half a
dozen good chances during the whole season. And further,
a gunner has other things to learn besides the management
of a boat under oar or canvas, and the handling of a staunchion
gun ; he must be a good judge of weather, a man of indomit-
able courage and perseverance, well conversant with tides and
winds, a thorough ornithologist, so that he can at once recog-
nise every species by sound or sight, besides understanding
the different actions and habits peculiar to each section of the
tribe, as they all require different handling accordingly.
When he turns out in the early morning, long before day-
break, he should know by the elements and barometer where
to find his quarry, and how, in all probability, they will be
engaged as soon as he arrives within earshot of their haunts.

PUNT-GUNNING 95

These facts should be established to a certainty, so that he
need not approach and disturb them until the right time
arrives. Thus good gunners, who have the " ground " more
or less to themselves, nurse, rather than harass their birds.
On the other hand, an ignorant one attacks, regardless of
circumstances or future results, so long as he bags more birds
at the time, whilst comparatively small entries are afterwards
noted in his diary to those of his more skilful brother sports-
men.

Again, by knowledge of the weather a puntsman knows
that certain conditions are favourable for certain parts of the
" ground," therefore he will work at most favourable times,
and in the most auspicious locality, leaving the birds at
absolute rest during all other periods ; neither will he worry
his fowl before they have fed, except in stormy or hard
weather, when liberties may sometimes be taken.

The actual working hours of our friend on the flats may
well be divided into four distinct periods, namely, early
morning, midday, evening and night. By far the best time
is that period from when the earliest glimmer of light
appears flickering above the eastern horizon till sunrise.
With that first flush of dawn the gunner is enabled to ascertain
whether the day will be fine or not. If it is to be fine, it in-
variably comes low and streaky ; on the other hand, when
wind and wet may be expected, it breaks high up, often
right overhead. At least an hour before daybreak (earlier
still if a long distance from his punt) the gunner rises, and
having fortified himself with a substantial breakfast, proceeds
to put his craft into perfect order, as, unless there be a place
for everything and everything in its place, one cannot get on
with any degree of comfort in the dark. One should be able
to lay one's hand on whatever is wanted at a moment's notice,
and not be fiddling everywhere, or striking matches to find
it, as a great many do who ought, by this time, to know
better.

To take another imaginary trip. Presuming the punt
launched, swivel shipped into its knee, and all stores on

96 BROADLAND SPORT

board, we take a careful observation of wind and weather ;
wind north-east by east, moderate breeze, and flowing tide —
very good. Our course is immediately decided upon, and we
head for " Devil's Bank," well known to our skilful companion
as the widgeon's favourite haunt, which, with these auspicious
omens in the weather, should surely be found there now, or
else not at all. Half an hour's hard rowing and then our oars
are rested upon, and our auricular organs resorted to. Nothing
ahead yet ; on we go, cautiously listening the while ; another
stop with perfect silence. Yes, there they are, sure enough.
" Weoh ! — we-o-oh ! " — those, to us, sweet notes, come faintly
over the water and touch the right string in our hearts;
our oars are carefully and deliberately unshipped, one being
placed in the sculling crutch, the other stowed away. Our
scientific man takes possession of the scull and directs his
other hand to lay the gun. Then, getting daylight sky behind
the fowl, with wind on the port bow, we glide slowly and
stealthily nearer and nearer to the unsuspecting birds, listen-
ing every few minutes to ascertain that their suspicions are
not aroused. Large bunches often, when they have the
slightest cause for alarm, are as silent as the grave for as
much as five minutes at a time ; or, perhaps, they break into
a " charm " — when an entire flock, guided only by the whistle
of one old cock, accompanied by the clucking of the hens,
burst into music all at once, which sudden outburst is called
the " charm."

We are now within 150 yards, but the bank is not
sufficiently covered to mass our birds, so we relinquish the
scull and wait for what is in reality only half an hour longer,
yet, seemingly, ages. But the daylight is rapidly developing ;
we dare not remain much longer for fear of detection, so, with
one last look to the gun and boat, we make for where that
greedy, squabbling crowd seems thickest. One hundred yards
— eighty yards — sixty yards — up goes a forest of heads, and
as part jump, a pound and a half of single " B " is nicely
landed into their very midst. In an instant the sculls are
out and the cripple-stopper in the hand ; one rows whilst the

PUNT-GUNNING

97

other sits athwart the staunchion gun forward and directs
the course. The dead are discarded in preference to the
livelier cripples, and after all are collected, nicely and cleanly
packed away, the big gun is reloaded and we are again in
readiness for further action.

But, presuming a duffer had been in our place, how
different it all would have been ; ten to one he would have
crossed the birds' wind and jumped them before being aware

;

THE CRIPPLE-STOPPER IN ACTIO

of their close proximity, or if he had got a shot he most
probably would have rushed in prematurely — misjudged
distance — or shot too high or too low. In any case he could
not possibly have bagged more than half the number that we
have here depicted.

Sometimes a single cock widgeon will get into the middle
of a flock of gulls, and many instances are on record when, in
the uncertain light of early morning, a shot has been made

98 BROADLAND SPORT

into a large flock of such, killing many, including, perhaps, the
deceptive smee.

Very often, too, when a shot is made in the dawn, another
flock from a distance, disturbed by the flash from a gun, rise
and re-pitch quite close by, enabling you to obtain a second
shot, or even a third shot being fired before a single cripple
has been gathered, which, as one is favoured by the fast-in-
creasing daylight, flowing tide, and certain assistance as to
their whereabouts by cannibalistic seagulls, few are seldom
lost.

The daylight shoot here described clearly indicates the
advantages of an experienced over an inexperienced hand. To
quote an example. Two amateurs started single-handed from
the same place, on the same estuary, three consecutive
mornings, with equal opportunities, one securing 115 fowl
and about 140 waders, whilst the other got three fowl and a
score of waders. The unsuccessful one created more noise
and disturbance than his more experienced brother gunner,
as the latter, would refuse to lay at an indifferent chance,
whilst the latter, in an excited manner, blazed away at every-
thing that offered.

Mid -day hours are generally employed when mornings
have, from various causes, proved impracticable or ineffective,
and one has then to be satisfied with the smaller " trips," it
being quite out of the question to disturb a big flock, for,
unless they are fresh arrivals, or have been punished by stress
of weather, they will not allow your punt, or any other craft,
to approach within a quarter of a mile, the main body always
being timely warned by their videttes. In the early morn,
widgeon (smee, as the professionals call them) are the chief
birds for the gunner, but in the daytime all kinds of fowl that
seem quietly disposed may receive your attentions, and these
failing, you have recourse to whaup, whimbrel, plover, or
whatever offers.

Thirdly, there is the evening shoot, which is nearly always
unsatisfactory, and seldom indulged in unless the preceding
day has been unfortunate in bringing sport ; but one is now

PUNT-GUNNING 99

and again tempted out by exceptional circumstances, or by
the close of the season being near at hand. It is more
particularly to be deprecated because the waning light
necessarily causes great loss and waste in cripples, but an
occasional good shot at that hour is made after rough
weather, at a bunch of fowl in a favourable position for re-
covering the killed or maimed.

Fourthly and finally, gunning under the moon is con-
sidered far from satisfactory ; it is highly injurious to the
shooting grounds, and it is very seldom that the gunner
makes any really good results from this latter method of
shooting, except by launching — a very laborious and dirty
pursuit at any time ; in fact, as Buffon would have said, " Le
jew ne vaut pas la chandelle."

A successful shot under the stars, judging entirely by
sound, is possible, but it is more than probable that under
those conditions the shooter would have to feel for the dead
with an oar, not bagging half what he had killed. What
can be more unsatisfactory than this ? The same remark
applies also to a very great extent to the former manner of
shooting, and birds in moonlight are shyer and more difficult
to handle than in broad daylight, although occasionally
telling shots are pulled off when a friendly cloud temporarily
obscures the light of the moon. But, unfortunately, these
said nebulae have an obstinate plan of always uncovering at
the wrong moment, showing you up to the birds as a brightly-
reflected star of rather unpleasant magnitude. Another
drawback to gunning by night is the great danger attendant
thereon from icefloes, especially on an ebb tide, as one some-
times gets caught in a great ice-field, and can neither see its ex-
tent nor find out how to circumvent it or force a way through,
to say nothing of the chance of being nipped, which may occur
at the least expected moment, whilst all the time the punts-
man is rapidly drifting far out to sea in a perfectly helpless
condition ; or, to make matters worse, sudden squalls of snow
may arise, which either swamp him then and there, or chafe his

ioo BROADLAND SPORT

punt against the edge of the ice until her planks are cut
through.

It must be borne in mind that during frosty and hard
weather, or preparatory to some great atmospherical change,
the habits of fowl are completely revolutionised; one must
therefore work according to the locality, time, weather and
season.

There are men who coast all round a country, staying but a
short period in each wildfowling district. This is, on the face
of it, all against large bags, as one so doing can have but an
indifferent knowledge of the ground he works, and local
knowledge is one of the most essential points to success.
Then, on the other hand, it is " rough " on the resident shooters
of the visited neighbourhood, for the visitor is usually totally
indifferent to how much alarm he creates — he bags what he can.
The only advantage of the system is the following of the
migrating birds as they work southwards ; even that is open
to serious doubts.

Some atmospherically-learned people erroneously believe
that shooting on estuaries in a fog is very auspicious towards
the gun, but practical experience proves that little or noth-
ing can be done under these circumstances. Now and again
geese can be " got in " at when it is not too thick, but fowl
rarely if ever, for they almost invariably detect the punt,
which can best be accounted for by a simple lesson drawn from
Nature herself. By way of example, if a clamorous Brent
goose looms out some twenty times its natural size, when seen
through a fog, what an enormous apparition must the punt
represent to the birds being approached.

Referring to forbearance in shooting on preserved waters
until a good opportunity offers, the author one season re-
strained from firing a shot for three weeks on a small estuary
where the birds had been previously harassed with shoulder
guns, in order to allow them to regain confidence, although
punting about in the midst of hundreds. The reward came
in due course, for the first shot was a good one, and was
rapidly followed by others. Had a favourable opportunity

PUNT-G UNNING

101

offered itself before it would of course have been taken,
but not being able to obtain a really good " home thrust," and
the weather being unfavourable for new arrivals, it was
thought best to watch and wait, knowing full well that the
day was not far distant when the chuckle would be inside
instead of outside the punt.

THE OLD GUNNER.

*«

CHAPTER IX

CURRES AND SHORT-WINGED FOWL

The word " curre " specifies a class of ducks which is not
covered by any scientific or ornithological term, and therefore
it should not be allowed to lapse.

The word seems to have been handed down by the gunners
of the old school, and it embraces that species of wildfowl
which obtains its food from the bottom of fairly deep water
by diving : whereas the more commonly-known and generally-
termed " surface feeders " include " long- winged f owr," or such
as do not feed in deeper water but where they can reach the
bottom by (what is called) standing on their heads, or by very
short dives.

Nature has provided " curres " with shorter wings, greater
paddling power, and different corporeal formation ; perhaps it
is on this account that they seldom visit the land, but obtain
their requisite amount of sleep, and perform their toilet,
always afloat. It is not therefore a very difficult task to
prove that their habits are quite distinct from the long- winged
species, which are more esteemed for the table, by reason of
their vegetarian diet, whereas, on the other hand, the food of
most of the " curre " species consists chiefly of shell fish and
other molusca.

CURRES AND SHORT-WINGED FOWL 103

Again, " curres " comprise several distinct varieties, which
had best be subdivided into those keeping strictly to the open
sea, and those which sometimes come inland.

The former revel in the waves, and when on wing seldom
rise any height above them, riding out the heaviest storm or
roughest water, which their more active confreres do not at
all relish, seeming to prefer the smoother water, and on any
violent atmospheric disturbance they at once make off to the
inland lakes or larger stretches of open water near the coast.
In speaking of them (the latter) as the more active it is in
allusion to their strength of wing, because, although they
scuffle up, rising heavily and obliquely, when once they are
fairly under way they fly with extraordinary rapidity, often
at great heights and distances, making at the time a rushing,
peculiar sound with their pinions, which is at variance with
the more musical whistle of long- winged fowl.

The habitual method employed by " curres " in obtaining
their food is another peculiarity. They float on the tide
over their favourite feeding grounds, and when there happens
to be a very large " mob " of them, they make such a
tremendous noise diving and splashing after their food that
it resembles the noise produced by a cataract, and may be
heard during a calm, or in still weather, at incredible
distances. As soon as they have reached the utmost limits
of the mollusc bed they rise in batches, flying back again
to the utmost extremity of it, in order that they may once
more be carried down by the friendly tide.

One of the largest, and perhaps best- known, resorts is off
the coast of Belgium and France, where " curres " may be
seen in thousands upon thousands nearly all the year round.
They may be observed when crossing the Channel, more par-
ticularly on the routes to Ostend, Calais or Dunkirk. In
some seasons vast packs visit the Suffolk and Norfolk coast,
apparently revelling in the fleet water and on the much-
dreaded outlying sandbanks.

Another peculiarity in certain varieties of " curres " is
that they do not obtain their full plumage until they are

104 BROADLAND SPORT

two or three years old, nor, in some cases, do they breed until
then, which may account for their presence amongst us during
the summer months, as some of them may always be found
in the roadsteads off Broadland, in small flocks, accompanied
by very old birds, who have no object in migrating to the
breeding countries. This peculiarity is also common to
certain waders, gulls, and last, but not least, swans.

Between true " curres " and " surface feeders " there
exists an intermediate variety, which partake of the habits
of each, such as tufted ducks, etc. Golden eyes form
another link in the chain connecting tufters and scaups,
but the fear of being tedious prevents further minute
details being given here.

The little tufter embodies high edible qualities, although
often seen and shot in company with his oleaginous,
mollusc-feeding brethren, which shows that he does not
cultivate their piscivorous tastes, although he may freely
mix with them. All " curres " are not unpalatable, for their
is yet another variety in the fresh-water-loving " curre,"
namely pochards (commonly known in Broadland as
" pokers "), which never feed in salt water unless forced there
by unavoidable circumstances. These fowl are strict vege-
tarians, delighting in a weed called pochard grass, of which
the greatest beds in Broadland exist on Hickling Broad and
Heigham Sounds, whither they flight in from the surrounding
country with great regularity at sundown, leaving early
for their resting-places in the morning. This shows that they
have a flighting disposition similar to the long- winged species,
of which true " curres " possess no spark ; yet they are
similar in one respect, in that they always keep to the open
water, and, when disturbed, invariably remain over the
water, avoiding the land as much as possible. " Curres "
afford little or no sport to the shoulder gunner, and are
only fit quarry for a punt gun ; in fact, they can be secured
in no quantities by any other method, as with " curre " in-
stinctiveness they are immovable to the blandishments of
the decoy-man.

CURRES AND SHORT-WINGED FOWL 105

Sometimes they are captured in small quantities by snares
placed along their grass-beds, under water, and in another
manner by the assistance of a net stretched on lofty poles,
which is made to rise suddenly and take the pochards in
their flight. This method of fowling was formerly practised
in Essex, and is referred to in Daniel's Rural Sports article,
" Pochard," also in the Moor and Marsh shooting volume of
the Badminton Library, p. 186. Although perhaps effective,
it seems almost as unsportsmanlike a proceeding as the
pegging of nets at the bottom of the sea, a usual practice
in the tidal waters on the other side of "the silver
streak."

Some years a few pochards stay in Broadland to breed,
which can be verified at Lord Walsingham's estate ; and the
author once shot a young one at the evening flight on the
1st of August 1878, some ten miles inland near Barnby
Broad in the Waveney Valley.

Most wildfowlers know the taste of pochards when in
good condition. The Rev. R. Lubbock (in his Fauna of
Norfolk, page 111) says : " This is the best wildfowl for
the table of all the Anatidce; it has the honour of a
near relationship to the celebrated canvasback of America,
which has its name, Valisneria, from a particular grass
on which it feeds, besides being there found in its
company."

As to the reference to the canvasback duck, it is believed
that it derives its flavour from feeding on wild celery.

Another habit distinct from the long-winged species is,
that "curres" pack whilst resting and spread out when
feeding, room being necessary for their diving operations,
whereas it is just the contrary with long- winged fowl, which
on a flowing tide gather greedily round the choicest spots.
Therefore, in punting to them with a swivel entirely different
tactics are adopted to those exercised when punting to
" surface feeders."

Scaups are similar in their habits to pochards, excepting
the latter are chiefly fresh water frequenters and vegetarians,

106 BROADLAND SPORT

whereas the former are not strictly so, preferring salt water,
and being typical " curres."

It is an invariable rule amongst wildfowl in general,
and "curres" in particular, to sit head to wind, and in
punting to " curres " an exception to the rule, " to always
punt up-wind," must be made and these fowl approached
more or less down wind, as they do not object to one's crossing
to windward of them so strongly as the more sensitive long-
winged fowl (widgeon or mallard), although, in most other
respects, they are, if anything, a good deal more shy. At
first they swim away from the suspicious-looking punt,
but finding their headway by no means so fast as that
of their pursuer they huddle together, and as he draws nearer
to them they open a bit and rise to windward, offering
a good cross shot ; whereas, if punted to up-wind, they will
deploy into a long straggling line (similar to the historical
thin red line which will ever be proudly remembered by all
in connection with the glorious 93rd Highlanders at the
battle of Balaclava), swimming away as fast as one can
scull the punt, and when they eventually do rise they
scatter so that it is seldom more than a couple, or at most
half-a-dozen, are within range of the shot circle.

All " curres " are very hard indeed to kill. They carry
away an incredible amount of shot, and are even more
tenacious of life than the proverbial cat ; actually when in
the hand, unless one is conversant with the decoy-man's art of
neck-breaking, it is most difficult to effectually extinguish
the vital spark of life. To quote instances. On one
occasion nine scaups were knocked down by a long shot
from a parcel leading past on the open sea, in a dead
calm, and although a prolonged cripple chase followed and
several rounds of small ammunition were expended not one
was bagged.

On another occasion seven velvet scoters were shot at on
the water, and the punter believed he had stopped the whole,
whereas, as a matter of fact, he did not materially injure
one ; they all " ducked to the flash " and came up at various

CURRES AND SHORT-WINGED FOWL

107

points considerable distances away from the punt, flying off
singly and in different directions.

Like the much-abused French partridges, "curres" may
be made to produce a fair amount of sport in one way and
another (when and where there is nothing better to be had),
if deftly handled and worked ; what is more, they will bear
rough-and-tumbling handling, which does not require the
immense amount of knowledge, skill or perseverance that is
essential to properly secure " surface-feeders," and which is a
great factor in the mind of the embryo gunner who con-
templates an initiatory attempt.

READY FOR LAUNCHING

NOT SUCH AN ASS AS HE LOOKS.

CHAPTER X

WILDFOWLING COSTUME

It is, or should be, patent to all that, before entering on the
long course of practical experience requisite to attain any-
high degree of scientific skill in punt shooting it is absolutely
necessary to be furnished with all appliances, and to pay
due regard to the important question of clothing required for
the purpose. For it must be borne in mind that winter, and
not summer, is the period for wildfowling, and the coarser
the weather the better at intervals will be the sport. Again,
a start should be effected long before dawn, and the one hour
before daylight is always the coldest of the twenty-four.

The particular dress about to be described is by no means
the only one in vogue. But how many really possess a proper
outfit ? Very few will acknowledge the faults of their own
pattern, yet on inquiry there is sure to be a weak point
somewhere — some little defect which they invariably make
out to be of no consequence. One cannot scull comfortably ;
another's circulation is impeded if he lies in a certain position ;
whilst a third is unable to get his cripple-stopper up, or some
other difficulty. Without any feeling of egotism Mr Fielding
Harmer may well say, " Rem acu tetigisti."

His dress is the outcome of some forty years' experience,
and has only lately been regarded by him as perfected. At

1 08

WILDFOWLING COSTUME 109

one time or other he has given almost every possible method
a fair trial — adding, removing, improving — until at length a
costume was arrived at, which he has worn and adopted with
success in every way. Could he, at the age of seventy, be up
morning after morning before daybreak, alone and unassisted,
if he had not thoroughly protected himself with proper clothing
during his earlier days ? No ; far from it. The mere thought
of such a thing causes visions of rheumatism, ague and other
diabolical complaints that flesh is heir to, to float uncomfort-
ably through the mind. For, all things said and done,
robust health is an essential factor in the successful pursuit
of wildfowl, even more so perhaps than in any other form of
sport.

The following is a short description of Mr Harmer's dress,
omitting the minuter details. The underclothing is all
flannel, as recommended by most authorities on gunning;
but trousers of Bedford cord, with seat extra strengthened,
roomy, and lined with washleather. Fisherman's guernsey
and coat or waistcoat, according to fancy. For the feet — the
most important part to keep the blood in good circulation — the
usual pair of hand-knitted socks, and a long, thick, coarse pair
of overall boot stockings. The boots reach well nigh to the top
of the hip, and are properly fastened with the usual garters
below the knee, the lower parts being made of very stifl
leather; but the uppers require a vast amount of skilful
paring by the currier to obtain the requisite thinness, so as
to enable one to kneel or bend the knee in any position with-
out incurring discomfort of any kind. Some uppers are from
a different class of leather altogether, and are sewn on ; but
the ones used by Mr Harmer consists of whole pieces, which
will be found preferable. An admonition against indiarubber
boots and clothing in general cannot be too often repeated,
for its non-porousness lays open a death-trap to be avoided.

The most important feature in this costume consists of a
peculiar loose pair of dressed waterproof knickerbockers, or
rather breeches, fastened round the waist by means of a strap
and buckle, and falling almost below the knees, followed by a

no BROADLAND SPORT

slop of similar material extending from the neck to the hip, and
overlapping the aforesaid breeches. The former of these
overalls has a leather-lined seat, with extra strengthenings
in the crutch, besides being cut after an eccentric pattern,
with view neither to beauty nor fashion, but solely and
simply for warmth and comfort. A wrapper round the neck,
and cap, sou'-wester, or other head-gear, " according to fancy."

Thus it must be obvious that in such a complete suit of
armour one can bid defiance to the whole of the aqueous
elements. Standing or wading in water in such a costume
does not affect future comfort. Nor, on the other hand, can
the heaviest downpour penetrate its folds. Just as rain on
a slate roof drips from one slab to another, and finally falls
to the ground, so in this case it descends first upon the
head and shoulders, from whence it runs on to the
breeches, thence to the boots and bottom boards. Besides,
in this one can lie for any time, if desirable, upon damp
flooring, or in slush, etc., with impunity. How many wild-
fowlers' costumes at the present day can be subjected to such
a crucial test ?

With regard to head covering, this is a subject open to
endless controversy. Mr Harmer affirms his small cap,
exemplified in the illustration, to be better than all others, but
an east-coast " sou'-wester " with a stiff back seems to be by far
the best all round. In this you are enabled to listen more
intently, for on slightly elevating your face to leeward the
ears are completely protected from the blast. When worn in
the ordinary fashion it protects the back of the neck and
ears; when reversed, it shields them from the glare of the
sun ; and, on emergency, if turned inside out, it can be used
as a drinking-bowl, bailer, or basin. The headgear, as well
as the slop, is painted the same colour as the punt — that is,
like a gull's back — so as not to attract notice. The painting
is done in the spring of the year in order to allow time to
take off its glossiness.

The hands, as will be noticed in the sketch, are incased in
rough woollen mittens with one stall only (for the thumb),

WILDF0WL1NG COSTUME

in

and are made to fit so that, by a sudden, dexterous flip, they
fly off, allowing a cripple-
stopper to be more easily
handled. The fingers being
together keeps them warmer
than would otherwise be the
case ; and a dry pair or two
of these mittens should
always be carried.

The dress depicted and
described is of course for
hard, rough-weather shoot-
ing. When much bodily
exercise has to be endured
the slop may be discarded,
and a thinner one of bluish-
grey linen substituted. If
the hands become perished
with cold, a good plan is to
dip a pair of mittens over-
board, and, having wrung
them out, put them on, and,
like rubbing one's nose with
snow in Russia, it will bring
about reaction.

One would hardly credit
the complete disguise which
such a wildfowl costume
affords. Mr Harmer tells
many amusing anec-
dotes of mistakes of '"JT-1-
which he has been "Z
the subject during his -
punting career, two
of which are worth
repeating. He had on one occasion during a heavy squall punted
up a creek to get a berth under the lee of a weather sea-wall

MR RICHARD FIELDING HARMER IN PUNT-GUNNING COSTUME.

ii2 BROADLAND SPORT

on Breydon Water when a shore shooter walking past had his
hat blown well out into the water. Mr Harmer, ever oblig-
ing, pushed off and fetched it, returning it to its owner, who
upon receipt thereof fumbled in his pocket and handed him a
penny, saying, " Here, old chap, is a half -pint for you." On
the other occasion referred to, when going down Channel, he
passed a " brig " at anchor waiting for the tide, from whose
deck one of the hands hailed him with, " What cheer, old
bloke ! Do you git many on 'em in that there coffin o' yours ? "
Although the costume here described may not be regarded
by most people as " a thing of beauty," it will undoubtedly
prove to those who try it " a joy for ever."

Stalking-Horses.

When speaking of appliances used by wildfowlers it may
not be thought altogether out of place to include a short dis-
cussion on stalking-horses, which are never to be despised by
those who have large tracts of shooting ground at their dis-
posal, and who find the birds shy and difficult to approach.

No matter how rough and uncouth the apparatus may be,
if it is only shaped somewhat like a horse, a cow, or an ass,
the birds are deceived by it and good bags secured until dearly-
bought experience teaches them caution.

Geese may be circumvented by the aid of a tumbril, or an
ordinary cart used in the neighbourhood, the shooter conceal-
ing himself inside. The real or artificial stalking-horse
answers equally well for geese as for ducks and other wild-
fowl : it was Drayton who wrote —

" One underneath his horse, to get a shoot, doth stalk ;
Another over dykes upon his stilts doth walk."

First in the rank of stalking-horses should come the real
live animal in the genuine flesh and blood, and, if it is trained as
it should be, great execution may be accomplished at times with
its valuable assistance. But it requires a quadruped of no
mean training to stand unflinchingly the deafening and awe-

WILDFOWLING COSTUME

113

inspiring discharge of a large-bored gun, often under its very
nose, or, at least, within a few feet of its ears. It requires
great care, forbearance and patience to thoroughly accustom
it to the report alone, which is only done by gradually in-
creasing the charge and decreasing the distance from it until
it shows itself utterly indifferent thereto. And the whole is a
matter of time in establishing a firm belief and confidence in
its trainer, who must do all by kindness, and prove himself to
be, besides an instructor, a benefactor and a friend.

Secondly, there is the artificial stalking-horse, which is
now, comparatively speaking, a rarity. To make one of these
one must obtain either a horse or bullock skin (readily
procured from any
butcher, knacker or
slaughterer) ; other-
wise one will have
to make one by cut-
ting out and painting
as good an imitation
in canvas as possible ;
the latter, if done
really well, answers
to all intents and

purposes as well as a genuine skin. If the real skin be utilised
it will be found an advantage to thoroughly cure it before
proceeding to mount it, as it will then last much longer, and
its obnoxious odour is removed.

The preparations for accomplishing this task are many;
but the best plan is to send it to the nearest fellmonger, who,
for a few shillings, will return it perfectly cured and in a
soft condition.

The skin complete, the next move is to knock together a
rough wooden framework (as defined in the accompanying
sketch, see Fig. VIII.), and after the skin has been firmly nailed,
or otherwise secured to it, your animal is quite ready for business ;
and the cost of its keep is far less than that of a living one !

The height from the shoulder to the hoof should not exceed

ii4 BROADLAND SPORT

5ft. 6in. ; also, on closer observation of the sketch it will be
noticed that the main props, or legs, are made double, the
reason for this being that the duplicates are light splines, and
attached only at the top by loose hinges, so that when the
framework falls towards the shooter, upon leaving go of it the
duplicates (weighted at their foot) fall first, thereby catching
and supporting the horse and preventing it falling into the
mud or water, as would otherwise be the case. The skin is
not securely fastened in the middle of the splines, but a space
is left sufficient for the shooter to insert his hand or arm, and to
facilitate his holding it. Some of these " animals " have their
heads adjusted in such a manner that the operator can move
them up or down, as he desires, by strings or other arrangement.

Some also are made rotund and not silhouette, the shooters,
two in number, walking inside the animal and shooting from
loopholes made in its side.

When approaching birds it is best to proceed leisurely, in
a kind of half-end-on direction, taking plenty of time, always,
if possible, working up wind, and going at a very slow pace.
If these directions are carefully carried out the birds should
hardly notice the fiery steed or domesticated cow, as the case
may be, and the aforesaid animal can quietly approach nearer
and nearer to the unsuspecting fowl, apparently grazing to its
heart's content and perfectly harmless, until, with a decidedly
bellicose snort, it deals forth death and destruction to the
feathered tribe around.

Birds, however, who have been once or twice deceived by
this innocent-looking beast, generally take good care to give it
a wide berth for the future. But every enjoyment has its
drawbacks, and at times, when the stalker is intent on his
endeavours to successfully approach a flock of plover or duck
in the fens or a marshy district, he suddenly becomes aware of
a trampling of many feet in his immediate vicinity, the general
stampede alarming not only the birds, but, in nine cases out
of ten, himself also. Upon turning to ascertain the cause of
the unexpected tumult, he is confronted with a sight not easily
to be eradicated from his memory. Within twenty yards a

WILDFOWLING COSTUME

"5

score or so of semi-wild animals, which have, maybe, spent the
whole summer alone and unattended on the marsh or fen,
with steaming nostrils and dilated eyes, meet his gaze. This
interview, as a rule, does not occupy more than a few seconds,
for, with uplifted tails and lowered heads, they make tracks
for the apparent usurper of their domains. When last the
author was thus situated, a pressing appointment suddenly
dawned upon him and he left hastily, without in any way
apologising for the abruptness of his departure.

Thirdly, another plan is the ancient one of the stretched
horse or bullock skin (see Fig. IX.). The modus faciendi is as
follows : — Having obtained the dressed skin, or painted
canvas, seam it up where it was originally opened. Cut a
slit at the shoulder (or elsewhere, according to fancy) for the
protrusion of the gun barrels, distend the figure with the
assistance of hoops, sticks or splines, and there it is complete.
This latter device is the more convenient, as it can be rolled
up, and porterage is thereby greatly facilitated, whilst it is
distended at a moment's notice by means of the hoops and
sticks. The forelegs are rather substantial ones, and attached
to the real hoofs, whilst the legs and body of the shooter form
the hinder quarters. The greatest drawback to the device is
that one is almost always obliged to walk in a stooping posi-
tion, which causes great fatigue, to say nothing of the stiffness
one feels in the back for several days afterwards, more par-
ticularly if unaccustomed to this mode of sport.

FIG. IX. — A HO(A)RSE VOICE.

CHAPTER XI

SHORE SHOOTING

:as^ -*-*•<-

A 1'KICKED TEAL.

HORE shooting is a branch of sport by
far the most popular with the majority
of estuary frequenters, though it is
rarely recognised by scientific punts-
men, except under oc-
casional and peculiar
circumstances. It is
followed by many who have neither
the time on their hands nor the
appliances wherewith to work
otherwise, and, on finding them-
selves in a favourable district, take
advantage of it with more or less success, the varied contents
of the bag lending an additional charm and making up, in a
great measure, for its usual lightness.

In most places on our coast little else but shore shooting
and shooting from boats with shoulder guns can be carried on
whilst the professional gunner continues (as he always has
done) to turn up his nose at the humble wash-follower, whom he
contemptuously dubs a " shore snobber." In one respect, how-
ever, he is distinct from his traducers, in that he requires few
requisites for his craft or art, the principal being a reliable
full-choke double 8-bore or 10-bore, a serviceable rain-coat
and a hardy, well-trained water-spaniel or retriever, which
are indispensable ; thus equipped he can at once proceed to
his happy hunting-grounds, where success depends upon the
skill and the patience he exhibits, and the number of birds
there are to be found.

116

SHORE SHOOTING 117

Some people content themselves by merely walking along
the shore, picking up en route whatsoever birds cross their
path, from the gyrating tern to the croaking hanser (heron),
without taking any trouble to lie in wait, stalk, or go a yard
from their path to obtain better chances.

Others, visiting a shore freely indented with rocks,
boulders or broken promontories, obtain at times splendid
sport by concealing themselves behind various obstacles,
and whenever these project far enough out into favourite
bays or other places frequented by birds, the shooter can
follow up the receding tide, taking fresh vantage posts further
out on the uncovered flats. In this method widgeon, which do
not like to miss a moment's feed that there is a chance of
availing themselves of, and which on tidal estuaries flight at
tide time instead of dusk, often offer good opportunities to
the shooter by leading along the wash close inshore pre-
paratory to pitching upon the first portion of grass that
becomes uncovered. Whilst curlew, oxbirds and other waders
keep one well employed.

Another plan, perhaps less known, is " tubbing," and many
there are who in England, Ireland and Scotland earn a liveli-
hood during the winter months by this means. It is simple
and effective. It consists of a continuous row of old casks
sunk into the sand equi-distant from each other (about 100 to
150 yards, in accordance with the rise and fall of the tide),
each being ballasted and surrounded with loose stones, and
a seat arranged inside. As the tide recedes and the
long stretches of flats become available to the birds, the
tubbist wades out to cask No. 1 as soon as it is visible, with
bailer, and a dry cap to cover the otherwise damp seat.
Bailing the water out and putting all to rights, he ensconces
himself inside, blazing away at anything that passes within
range, either gathering the dead birds at once or (when the
wind is in the right quarter) allowing them to drift ashore.
He remains in tub No. 1 until the continuing ebbing tide
renders tub No. 2 available for use, when the same tactics are
repeated, thus following the line of casks till tide turn, when

SHORE SHOOTING 119

he retires in precisely the same manner that he had
advanced, with the exception that the tubs are ready for im-
mediate occupation, and they do not require re-bailing.

During stormy and unsettled weather considerable sport
can be obtained by this dodge, but on a public estuary certain
risks must be run of being shot by a punter. For it must be
remembered that from the angle at which a staunchion gun
is fired shot travels considerable distances, and the fact that
the head of the tubbist is on the exact level at which the big
guns are discharged does not add materially to his comfort.

Fourthly, there is the man who erects huts of rough boughs
covered with sods or sand, allowing them to become over-
grown with grass like the winter dwelling of the Laplander.
Their usual situation is a promontory jutting into the estuary,
or some similar commanding position, and their use is to
afford the gunner a retreat at high- water time ; the few birds
that may then be leading about being thus intercepted. But
this plan is not half so successful as " tubbing," although the
two are often combined.

On larger estuaries, during the last few hours of flood, the
birds — curlews in particular — collecting in their hundreds and
thousands, select some open spot for rest and repose, where,
posting their sentinels, they are in absolute security, defying
every effort at approach. Every dodge and ingenious device
imaginable may be resorted to in order to take them un-
awares and to endeavour to place a " home thrust " into their
midst whilst they are so engaged, but all to no purpose ; for
although, in contradiction to the infallible weasel, they can be
caught napping, their sentinels and outposts are ever on the
alert, and, whether it be night or day, however light or dark, they
invariably raise the alarm, and the mighty cloud of birds departs,
so to speak, under the very nose of the chagrined shooter.

On the smaller estuaries it is the same, with this difference,
that instead of collecting in open spaces, which are naturally
few and far between, the fowl make for the open sea, there to
sleep and plume themselves, whilst the waders adjourn to
moors, morasses, marshes or swamps that may be contiguous,

120 BROADLAND SPORT

never forgetting to return to the flats as soon as the first ebb
of the tide commences.

Fifthly, there is the system introduced by that well-known
wildfowler, Colonel Hawker, of utilising a dressed -up carriage
for a swivel, which, without doubt, can be denominated under
the heading of shore shooting. But it can never be used
unless the ground consists of hard ooze, such as that found on
portions of the Dutch coast (on the Scheldt, for instance), or
on the hard sandy bottoms of our Scotch estuaries, and in East
Anglia round Blakeney, Wells and Hunstanton. In the
famous Colonel's book, Hints to Young Sportsmen, will be
found drawings with a full description of this ingenious con-
trivance, and it is only necessary to add that if these directions
are carried out, and the exterior appearance of the arrange-
ment made to suit the surroundings of the neighbourhood in-
tended to be visited, success should follow. But on account
of the numerous unforeseen difficulties always springing
up, this happy outcome is extremely doubtful, whilst the
manual labour will be found something awful.

Sixthly, there is the shore shooting proper, the following
of the high- water mark. It is no constitutional stroll of an
inactive, unenthusiastic powder-burner, but, with ears and
eyes constantly on the alert, the shore shooter proceeds, tread-
ing as noiselessly as possible, stopping every now and then to
sweep the flats with powerful binoculars (not a necessity, but
nevertheless a good help), whilst he carefully scans and searches
every nook and corner, every marsh, pond, or swamp, and on
his way he takes full advantage of every rise, bank or
elevation in the ground within his beat.

Sneaking stealthily up ,to, or round the likely places, he
peers cautiously over before showing himself in bold relief
against the skyline ; and woe betide the unfortunate bird
that may be there taking a quiet siesta, or afternoon feed,
chuckling to itself on its apparent security.

In these shore peregrinations the bag always contains a
variety ; oxbirds, curlew, wimbrel, a duck or two, snipe, half
a dozen plover, perhaps a couple of " seapies " (oyster catchers),

SHORE SHOOTING 12 r

and maybe a pricked goose ; with any luck at all it should
always contain a dozen different specimens of the feathered
denizens of the shore. It is not altogether unknown to find a
goodly-sized pike in the shore-shooter's bag, as they may
often be shot in the sluice dykes adjoining the marsh walls.
It is even on record that a wall-shooter actually shot and
bagged a fair-sized skate which was floundering on the flats ;
another, that he had killed a seal with one barrel and a Jenny
wren with the other. A favourite plan is to carry along a
spade and dig a hole in the sand, in which to await the
arrival of the birds, or utilise a stalking-horse.

Decoys are also often resorted to in various ways, accord-
ing to the fancy of their worker or the nature of the ground.

A simple invention of the author's consists in so dressing
a rain-coat that it answers two purposes ; one as a shelter
against wet weather, the other as a shelter against the birds.
This is brought about with the greatest ease imaginable. The
waterproof, a light one, is painted yellow on one side (the
same tint as sand usually is) and a dullish brown on the other,
with brighter spots daubed about it haphazard, represent-
ing, as near as the artist can, an estuary beach. This will be
found to answer amazingly, for when extended full length on
the shore under a covering of this kind, not moving a muscle
until the birds are well within range, the deception is complete,
and many are the surprises, with accompanying telling shots,
that it assists in bringing about.

The seventh method is perhaps the most enjoyable of any,
as provisions and minor luxuries desired can be carried
without being in the slightest way impeded thereby. It
is managed with the aid of an assistant in a small punt, or
other craft suitable for the purpose, which is also often em-
ployed to drive the birds over the ambushed shooter ; but its
real intent is to meet him at certain preconcerted rendezvous,
poling him up creeks and bays' otherwise inaccessible, where
the banks or sides may be sufficiently high to afford a partial
shelter. Thus the birds which rise therefrom may be bagged
and many chances at others leading over taken advantage of.

122 BROADLAND SPORT

If a rowing boat is used instead of a punt, row-lock holes
on each quarter will be found a great advantage in many
more respects than one, not only to scull by, but also to steer
with in case a sail is used.

This constitutes a fair summary of the various phases of
shore shooting, but as the circumstances met with in this class
of wildfowling are so various and multitudinous, it is im-
possible to lay down any fixed rules to regulate the actions of
their would-be follower ; the results depend greatly upon the
judgment which each man introduces into the working out
of his aims, which, together with skill, comes alone from
constant and continual practice and observance ; although
large bags are the exception and not the rule, capital sport
may sometimes be obtained.

But to uphold true sport let the shooter abstain from
shore pottering, armipotent sailing boats and launches, if he
is visiting a district where a far higher art can be indulged
in, and let him either start punting himself or join another
who has already acquired the necessary experience and
equipment.

By thus reversing positions he can readily imagine what
feelings are paramount in the mind if, after hours' and hours',
perhaps weeks', persistent toil and perseverance, the cup of
success, on being raised to the lips, is ruthlessly dashed away
by some 'Arry out for 'is sportin' 'oliday snapping at a harm-
less, unoffending and unpalatable gull.

SHORE NETS AT WELLS.

«£ CHAPTER XII

'lit

FLIGHTING

BEFORE THE RECKONING.

The Morning Flight.

There are many inland waters and private lakes where wild-
ducks are only occasionally disturbed, and then in such
clumsy fashion that but a minimum of sport is obtained in
comparison to the results which a little skilful management
would insure.

The water is usually visited about two hours before
noon, when all the fowl are peacefully resting after their
night's exertion in search of food, and placing guns on
promontories, in boats, or wherever the keepers advise, they
blaze away for a few minutes to their heart's content, after
which the fowl are either conspicuous by their absence
or wheeling high in the air premeditating departure; for
every duck is thoroughly frightened, which is the worst
result of this proceeding.

Whereas, by a morning or evening flight (both completely
different methods of wildfowling) skilfully arranged and
carried out, only a portion of the birds are alarmed. Thus
the " lead in " does not become broken, and in a few days
may be as strong as ever; for any person conversant with
wildfowl, their habits and instincts, is well aware that if

123

i24 BROADLAND SPORT

the " lead in " becomes broken, sport for the remainder of the
season is 'over, the reason for which is not very difficult to
discover.

Wild-ducks predominating in Broadland are mallard and
teal, which habitually retire into the sedges and thick aquatic
undergrowth during the daytime for rest and repose.
Towards evening they draw out, becoming loquacious and
uneasy previous to flighting for various marsh dykes, flight
ponds, or other feeding grounds, from which they do not
return until the first streak of dawn shows itself: arriving
at intervals, according to the distance they have to travel,
some of the wider rangers not turning up till long after
daylight.

The screens, shelters or stands used in morning flighting
and other wildfowl shooting are made by river watchers
during summer, and consist of small platforms erected just
above the water, carefully walled in with reed hurdles, and
furnished with seats.

They should be so placed in a small patch of reeds, rushes
and similar vegetation, that an experienced eye has difficulty
in detecting their whereabouts, even when the gun is
firing.

Having cantered over these preliminary details, let us
take another imaginary trip. We arrive at the residence of
our host the day beforehand, or, perchance, are visitors staying
in the house. No billiards or whist after dinner, but a cigar
and a quiet chat, followed by ignominious expulsion to bed
like so many schoolboys home for their holidays, only,
however, to arise again, apparently before our eyes are
closed, at an abnormally early hour on a chill November
morning, meeting in the gun-room our last night's com-
panions, sipping steaming coffee and tugging away at
obstinate shooting-boots by the candle's sickly and flicker-
ing light.

The keepers, who have already planted decoys, are in wait-
ing at the boat-house or other prearranged spot, and soon place
a gun in each of the shelters most favourable according to

FLIGHTING 125

the state of the wind and weather, where it only remains
for us to light the soothing briar and await the incoming
birds.

With the first glimmer of rosy light that shoots athwart
the eastern horizon a few odd pairs and one or two solitary
fowl put in an appearance, and the echoing report of our
heavily-loaded gun seems to arouse the entire bird life around
us. Herons rise with their hoarse " Frank ! Frank ! " moor-
hens utter the most weird shrieks, whilst a large number of
coots make a frightful spluttering in their endeavours to
take wing and collect en masse in the centre of the water,
where they remain quite awake and suspiciously on the watch.
As ihe light increases so does the confidence of the incoming
fowl seem to decrease, and they wheel round and round
several times preparatory to alighting, which is exactly what
is required of them, for, in so doing, a good opportunity often
offers itself to one or another of the guns, the fowl invariably
lowering to the decoys, which are conspicuously anchored
between the stands.

Also, as the daylight progresses the trips increase in
size and number, causing our firing to become hotter and
hotter — in fact, we find that it is the only warm thing about
us. In the middle of all this serenading and slaughter it is
sometimes surprising to see little "trips" of fowl (more
especially of teal) whisking in and dropping under one's
very nose before one has even had time to get the gun to
shoulder or realise their presence; more particularly is this
the case if the place has been undisturbed for any pro-
longed period. Moreover, it is remarkable how persistently
some of the birds will lead round again and again, dip-
ping to the water and rising again as if it were too warm
for their feet, whilst large bags and capital sport reward
patience.

The daylight having advanced, the keepers revisit the
shooters, accompanied by their retrievers and water-spaniels,
the dead are collected, the reed beds hunted for cripples, and
the rands round the edges of the broad walked through

126 BROADLAND SPORT

and searched for those slightly-tipped fowl, which invariably
make for dry land.

Such a morning's work as this, for real sport and enjoy-
ment, far excels a big day's covert shooting with its large
bag of more easily-manipulated game, which can be so far
controlled to the will that results are reduced to a certainty,
or even to partridge driving, taxing as it does the skill of the
shooter to a much greater extent.

A sportsman of the old school, when he has thus
thoroughly disturbed his ground, after breakfast, instead of
gorse, hurdles and hot corners, marshals his guns back to the
rough ground contiguous to the site of the morning shoot,
intersected as it generally is with bogs, reed beds, swamps
and alder carrs, where, with a sufficient number of beaters,
spaniels and retrievers, every yard is thoroughly walked,
and all wounded or pricked fowl, which would otherwise
waste away and die, are picked, besides taking toll from
pheasants, wood-pigeons, snipe, and the other inhabitants of
such aqueous regions, which (when laid out for inspection at
the close of the day) are at least rich in the variety of their
species.

Evening Flight

This, it will be seen, is a complete antithesis to its predecessor,
" Morning flight." In the morning the birds are mostly inter-
cepted upon arrival at their diurnal resting-places, whilst in
the evening they are waylaid on their journey from the afore-
said strongholds, or else upon the actual feeding grounds
themselves. But the great and most noticeable advantage
that the evening has over the morning flight is that the
feeding grounds, extending over such vast expanses of country,
enable it to be practised evening after evening for an in-
definite period, so long as open weather continues, provided
the shooter is within reach of a good habitat ; but, on the
other hand, the morning flight, as described, can only be
occasionally indulged in, and then one must have absolute

FLIGHTING 127

control over the favoured spots, for unless this is carefully
attended to the haunt is broken and sport for the season is at
an end.

In frosty weather the habits of wildfowl are completely
revolutionised. When pressed by hunger they will seek food
regardless of the hour, whether by day or night, and under
any fairly favourable conditions or circumstances. On
finding themselves gradually forced from their inland resorts
they circle nearer and nearer to the saltings and estuaries,
until these alone remain unfrozen, when, if they are very much
harassed, further migrations occur.

As soon as the frost breaks, old habits are quickly resumed
and condition regained in a manner which is perfectly mar-
vellous. Besides, they feed so gluttonously that it renders
them more drowsy and less vigilant, hence easier to handle
than during the normal wild weather. Then is the time for
our friend the flighter and other wildfowlers to gather a
harvest, for this change, besides possessing the above-mentioned
advantages, causes larger " companies " to scatter into smaller
" trips," spreading widely in their eagerness to discover which
place will first provide them with the most luscious food, the
search for which they continue for a time preparatory to
settling down to former regular habits and customs.

Flight shooting is a sport which is conducted under a
variety of circumstances and places, and if tidal flighting, or
that on estuaries, is taken into consideration, times may also
be added ; but inland the long-winged fowl invariably flight at
dusk, and not at any definite hour, as is sometimes erroneously
stated to be the case. This fact can easily be ascertained by
observing the habits of tame wildfowl, whose demonstrative
signs of liveliness and uneasiness, which gradually in-
creases as eventide approaches, will be only too ap-
parent. It is instinctive in the species to visit " fresh
fields and pastures new " at nightfall, however abundant food
may be in the locality wherein they have passed their hours
of idleness, and instances come under notice where fowl flight
from one place to another, and vice versa.

i28 BROADLAND SPORT

To touch upon the most essential requirements of evening
flighting.

First, and most important, a would-be flighter must have
a well-trained, hardy, courageous retriever, not necessarily too
steady, but rather inclined to the contrary — i.e., not to leave
the heel until told, but, when permitted, to range wide. The
dog requires a different training to that of the ordinary
fielder, and it should be regulated more or less according to
the requirements of the locality. It must be taught to
instantly drop at a sign here, there or anywhere, and to
remain steadfast until released by its trainer.

The clothes worn for flighting should be assimilated as
much as possible to the surroundings of the neighbourhood
intended to be worked, and in texture according to season ;
with boots strong, high and impervious, even to the far-
reaching snow slush. A gun sling will be found a valuable
addition, although it is not generally used, to which (besides
a mackintosh) the more luxuriously inclined can string a
light, revolving cane seat.

Moonlight nights are not auspicious, because fowl are then
most irregular and erratic in their movements, whilst fine,
still nights (not moonlight) have also their disadvantages, as
at that time birds fly high and out of range. Most
auspicious are strong winds, dark nights, and lowering
weather, when the birds fly low and come early. But the
weather does not apply so much to tidal flighting, and perhaps
it would be more comprehensible were the subject divided
into two headings, " Flighting Inland," and " Flighting on
Tidal or Salt Waters."

Flighting Inland.

This class of flight shooting commences in August, when
young ducks resort to the cornfields and ponds, later to
the stubbles and stacks or mosses, according to the locality.
They may be intercepted either at morning or evening flight-
ing towards or, perhaps better still, on the actual feeding

FLIGHTING 129

grounds, with which one must necessarily be well conversant
before success can be assured.

The glorious summer evenings and mild, temperate
weather of August renders flight shooting a sport accessible
to many who through age or ill-health would be unable to
withstand the roughness and rigour of the climate of the
later months. Moreover, the pleasure can be sometimes en-
hanced by arranging a party, which is easily done when con-
versant with a favoured haunt and pools used by fowl.
Blinds or shelters are erected in the most favourable positions,
and on the eventful occasion when the birds arrive compara-
tively early they meet with a warm reception.

In the early part of the season fowl come in families and
larger parties than is the case a month or so later, whilst
their approach is generally heralded by " the sound of the
distant and random gun " of other flighters occasionally firing.

Like snipe, wildfowl seldom remain during winter in the
district where they have been bred, but they pass southwards,
others taking their place. Gargany, shovellers and other
fowl give ample proof of this to anyone who is at all
observant.

As the season advances positions are shifted to the stacks,
stubbles and mosses, where the birds have become far more
wary, which, though considerably increasing the enjoyment
of the sport, has a tendency to decrease the bag. This system
is also worked by constructing hides at a wet spot, by means
of sunken tubs in place of the stuffed hurdle or other
arrangement.

The sere and yellow leaf indicating the nearer approach
of migratory birds, more attention should be given to the lower
and moister grounds, where the shortened days and rapidly-
darkening nights render a hide not at all imperative, as a
gate-post, low bush or tuft of rushes suffices, provided the
shooter, as before mentioned, assimilates his clothes to the
surroundings, and at the near approach of fowl keeps his
body as motionless as possible. Indeed, in broad daylight, if
the wildfowler stands perfectly still in the open, birds will

i3o BROADLAND SPORT

lead past within easy range, not swerving until the gun is
raised or some other movement made.

Bear in mind, however, that the shooter must take his
stand according to the class of fowl he more particularly
wishes to secure, as different varieties prefer different localities,
according to their species, e.g., mallard, teal, etc., prefer com-
paratively dry ground to widgeon and others, which revel in
more open, aqueous wastes.

For a variety, the best position is some rushy promontory
jutting out into the bright water, or a lee shore ; for wildfowl,
previous to alighting, are always wont to swing round more
or less to leeward. Having taken a stand, one is generally
first put on the qui vive by the " scape " of snipe, high in
the air, which, as the gloaming deepens, swoop lower, and
a few are often secured before the regular flight of fowl
commences. A peculiarity of snipe may often be noticed,
they now and again suddenly pitch down from the air
like a stone thrown to one's very feet. This is really
astonishing, the more so to those who see it for the first
time.

When snipe are occupying the attention large stands of
plover will most probably be also observed passing high over-
head, but one knows they will come lower and singly later on.
Teal also are early arrivals, usually dashing past with a rush,
reminding one of an express train ; and so rapid are they in
their flight that when going thus late in the evening it is
next to impossible to hit them.

Mallard, after the snipe, come throughout at intervals,
whilst widgeon and single peewit latest of all. But, of course,
times and orders of arrival vary considerably according to the
season, state of weather and locality.

One peculiarity is pretty sure to attract attention during
autumn. A drake mostly leads the trip, but in the spring
he politely yields his position of precedence to a (lady)
duck.

The setting in of a genuine frost is intimated by the
green plover or lapwings, which depart to a bird towards the

FLIGHTING 131

more genial atmosphere of the Gulf Stream, they being seen
no more until early spring. Inland the big lots of fowl
leave first, but a few homely ones invariably keep back,
frequenting springs, rivulets and open places, where they will
hang about, contentedly shifting from one to the other, ac-
companied by a few odd snipe, woodcock or other soft-billed
birds, until absolutely evicted.

Regular haunts being deserted, the flighter pursues the
birds in such a manner as is most applicable to the locality in
which he finds himself.

Flight shooting is never, or perhaps it would be wiser to
say hardly ever, practised during the day time, and the only
other instance within the author's knowledge, besides that
mentioned in the Moor and Marsh of the Badminton Library,
page 227 (which, by its description, sounds like West Norfolk),
is one mentioned by a friend, who in describing an estate where
there was a large lake near the house on which the fowl were
never shot, and at some distance away a chain of ponds more
or less frequented by the fowl, goes on to describe how they
drove the birds from one to the other, intercepting them on
the way.

Flighting on Tidal or Salt Waters.

This has already been partially referred to in the former
chapter on shore shooting, which it is impossible to avoid
mixing up to a certain extent with this system of flighting,
for, although the latter occurs solely between sunset and sun-
rise, flight shooting inland is strictly confined to the gloaming,
except on light and moonlight nights, when it extends some
hours later, and, under those circumstances, is usually not only
unsatisfactory, but also uncertain.

In the neighbourhood of estuaries the state of the tide is
the greatest factor in the movements of the birds. For in-
stance, if it happens to be three-quarter flood near sunset, the
birds will seek favourite feeding grounds close by until the
tide has well ebbed, when, if they have not sufficiently fed,

i32 BROADLAND SPORT

they will flight, although it be night time, to the goose-grass
flats. On the other hand, if it be one-quarter ebb, they will
mostly leave their fresh- water haunts for that of the salt,
which they seem to prefer. Mallard, as can be observed any-
where, show a greater preference to fresh-water food than
widgeon, which is indicated by the fact that in some parts of
Scotland the former are called " moss ducks." Again, mallard,
when they do frequent saltings, are wont to feed much closer
inshore, amongst the more luxurious grasses, than widgeon,
whose habits have been previously referred to in the chapter
on shore shooting, which also applies here. Therefore, much
greater knowledge of the ground and judgment in selection of
a position is necessary for flighting by tidal and salt waters
than for inland flighting, where there are not dual feeding
grounds to deal with. Taking it all round, the difficulties of
the former are so great as to astound those who have not
thoroughly attempted to master them.

Flighting in the neighbourhood of estuaries is much
more precarious than flighting inland (except when frosty
weather prevails), that is to say speaking strictly and dis-
criminating between the many who take rough shooting in
a rough manner to those of the few who practise it with deep
thought and judgment, coupled with skill and perseverance.

Yet the latter division of flighting does not show so much
sport as the former, but chacwn a son gollt. However,
where punt gunning is pursued shore flighting cannot be
conducted without enormous injury to the gunner; even on
estuaries where there is no punting it is a difficult sport, unless
there are certain spots in favourable positions where hides
can be arranged, or one can mark the line of flight taken by
the birds in their passage to and from their salt and fresh
water feeding grounds, when they can be successfully inter-
cepted according to the particular state of tide, wind and
weather.

In some districts the birds are wont to lead along the sea-
shore, or over certain promontories, but in others their range
is so wide that it is almost impossible to do much from a

FLIGHTING 133

satisfactory point of view to a good fowler's notions, as such
an one objects, above all, to constant snapping at impossible
ranges on the offchance of pinioning one or two birds, with
the probability of pricking, maiming, or needlessly causing
suffering to many others; a system of pot-hunting which
fosters unpleasantness, and brings wildfowlers into disrepute
amongst those who are not aware that no one deprecates it
so much as does the truest of true sportsmen, a good wild-
fowler.

Decoy -Flighting Pools.

These pools, when properly made and used by fowl, are as
carefully watched and jealously guarded by their owners or
lessees as are the regular decoys — now, alas ! so few and far
between.

To the sportsman they have distinct advantages over other
decoys, as the fowl are killed in a sporting fashion instead of
having their necks wrung wholesale by one man, with no gun-
powder expended over their downfall. The water need not
be made anything like so large as an ordinary decoy pond or
lake ; if it was it could not be properly worked. And instead of
being star-shaped it should be made triangular, with the base
facing westwards, for reasons which will be shortly given.

There are several of these pools in Broadland where the
owners of some of the large tracks of bog and swamp have
dug them out with a double purpose — to secure the excellent
sport they afford all through the winter, and to fill up the
holes, dips and low-lying levels on their marshes with the soil
excavated. Thus these decoy-flighting pools cannot be
called extravagant luxuries for the landowner, because, although
he gives up an acre, perhaps a little more, yet he gains a con-
siderable improving value to his marshes, quite equalising the
outlay expended, whilst at present-day rentals the existence
of the pool would be greatly to his advantage. Again, the
ground selected for the site is generally a coarse, rough swamp
or marsh, the product of which is valueless as fodder, and only

i34 BROADLAND SPORT

used for litter in the bullock-yards. The quieter and more
secluded the position, the better and the more it is wooded
round, so the more freely will wildfowl take to it and use it.

As before mentioned, the best shape to lay out or form the
pool is triangular, with the base westwards and the two sides
north-east and south-east respectively. The base or west-
ward side should have a shelving shore, and the other sides
should be cut straight down, allowing for deep water.

The reason of this is that the fowl which use the pool,
when lighting, will favour the shelving shore, where they are
accustomed to be fed; and as the sun sets in the west, the
flight shooters, who are posted along the north-east and south-
east sides in their screens, get the full benefit of the lingering
light from the late-set sun — a very great advantage. So long
as no trees are planted within about thirty yards of the shelv-
ing shore the light from the sky is not impeded, whilst osiers
and alder-scrub can be planted nearer if desired.

There are pools dug and made which are square, oblong,
formed like a capital S, round, and all shapes and sizes, but the
triangular form is best.

Should the pool be dug from a bare swamp it will be as
well to plant round it freely, leaving an open space near to
the western side, on account of the light. Between the out-
skirts and the water's edge, rhododendrons, laurels, young firs,
etc., may be set fairly thickly, as they not only help to hide
the shooter or onlooker, but they at the same time shelter the
water and afford good facilities for nesting to the birds, be-
sides lending themselves considerably to ornamentation.

A thin belt of reeds may be encouraged on the north and
south-east sides, but should they appear on the western side
they must be immediately cut down. June is the best month
for doing this, as then it kills the reeds, and they rarely
grow up again.

All round the pool a wall about three feet or four feet high
is made with a corresponding trench, provided the land is not
swampy or moist, in which case no trench can well be made,
as it becomes a ditch ; but should the land be fairly dry the

FLIGHTING

i35

soil taken out to make the trench forms the wall between it
and the water. If this wall or bank is sufficiently high for a
shooter or observer to walk behind and watch the birds with-
out being seen, it answers the purpose required ; if not, or if
the soil is such that the wall does not answer the purpose
named, then reed screens are made and fixed up in the weak
places. The screen may also be continued for part of the way
(just to cover the corners where fowl would hardly ever light

t^

1 1 mWWSsSS&M

when coming in at flight time) along the western shore and
quite close to the water's edge, so that a keeper can steal
softly down and throw in the maize or Indian corn and
acorns without disturbing any of the wildfowl which may be
in the pool.

The rough sketch Ground Plan shows one of these decoy
pools, which was artificially made from a bare marsh and has
now been most successfully worked for a number of years.

136 BROADLAND SPORT

Having completed the decoy pool, attention is turned to
the more interesting process of working it to advantage from
a sporting point of view.

A fair-sized duck pen is made in one corner of the pool on
the shelving shore, so the birds confined therein can use the
land or the water at their pleasure, and rush tufts are allowed
to grow in this enclosure in moderation. Half a dozen or
more wild ducks are procured and properly pinioned, and are
placed in the enclosure with one or a couple of tame drakes.
They must be well looked after, carefully fed and tended,
so that when, a fortnight or three weeks later, one side of the
pen is taken down and they are left to their own devices they
will prefer to stay in the sheltered waters of the pool rather
than stray further afield, where they would certainly fare
worse. During this time — in fact, all the year round — an
abundance of food must be supplied to the fowl, which should
be thrown into the water over the top of the feeding screen
[marked on the Ground Plan], so that rats, crows and other
vermin cannot get at it and eat it up so easily.

Should there be any wildfowl in the neighbourhood the
ducks will not be there many days before they attract the
attention of drakes, which will immediately pair off with them :
and on ascertaining the fact that their ladyloves are unable to
fly they will be quite contented to remain and enjoy connubial
bliss within and around the limited precincts of the decoy
pool.

In the early spring ducks are in great request by mallard,
and the offers placed at the delicately-webbed feet of the
lonely widow ducks in the pen will be not only numerous but
demonstrative and noisy. In peeping through the screen it is
no uncommon sight to see close on half-a-score of handsome
young Masher Mallard "doing the polite" to one bashful
duck, whilst the tame drake has been edged quite out into
the cold.

The birds, as is customary with wild duck, pair off and
nest very early, and when the months of August and
September arrive the heart will be gladdened by the sight of

FLIGHTING 137

twenty-five to fifty wildfowl constantly wheeling round and
round the pool. The temptation to shoot them will be great,
but it must be resisted, and they must be left entirely alone
and undisturbed, feeding being increased in accordance with
the numbers that require it. Should the birds flight out to
neighbouring waters, or to cornfields and stubbles where you
have the shooting rights, and you wish to take toll from them,
there is no reason why it should not be done by concealing
yourself in their line of flight or on their feeding grounds ;
but it is not advisable for a shot to be fired, either by night
or day, within a quarter of a mile of the sanctuary.

In October the migratory birds begin to arrive, and by the
first week of November a strong lead in to the decoy pool
should have been procured. Or, in other words, the semi-tame
home birds should have made their presence known to the
migratory fowl, and to the birds inhabiting other waters,
which travel afield at flighting times in search of food.
They do this either by visiting neighbouring waters where
their feathered relatives congregate, returning in company
with them, or by their incessant quacking and circling round
their own secure retreat at flighting time, as is their wont,
induce other fowl to lower their line of flight and visit the
water. The strangers are generally so pleased with their first
visit and the bounteous hospitality of the feeder that they are
certain to come again on the following evening, more often
than not bringing other fowl with them. Thus does the fame
of the diminutive piece of water spread through local duckdom.

It is this lead in which is the secret of the success of a
decoy -flighting pond. It is the one and only pivot upon
which the whole sport depends. Therefore, the reason why
the water is left so long quiet and undisturbed should be
apparent.

On one pool the fowl were shot during the month of
September, but the experiment was never repeated. About
five-and-twenty birds were bagged, but the remainder took
fright and left the water, few if any returning; no home
birds were left to establish a lead in, and despite constant and

138 BROADLAND SPORT

plentiful supplies of food all through the winter months
hardly a duck put in an appearance, whilst all idea of sport
for that season was rendered a dead letter.

If the instructions laid down are conscientiously followed,
and the decoy pool is located in a neighbourhood where
there are fowl, a strong lead in will become a certainty,
although it must not be taken as an accepted fact before the
first week of November arrives, however forcibly a keeper
may argue to the contrary.

The screens which are used to hide the shooter are
generally erected during the close time, and consist (as
before mentioned) of reed hurdles or rush litter interwoven
between growing twigs ; anything will do so long as it acts
as a successful hide and partakes of the nature of the sur-
rounding foliage.

Now, as the time for using them draws near, each screen
should be supplied with a seat, having a rough lid attached
in order that it may always be found dry.

Having decided upon the date for commencing to shoot,
the keeper should be instructed to visit the pool during the
afternoons three or four days beforehand, and to show him-
self upon the bank. This frightens the fowl, which rise and
soon make themselves scarce, but they will return at flight
time, which is what is required. Furthermore, when
frightened in this manner they rise in a large bunch and
fly away ; but again, they return in twos and threes, and it
is seldom that more than seven come together.

A little after sunset the flight shooters put in an appear-
ance and take up their respective stands in the screens before
mentioned, which are comfortable quarters indeed after a
damp, cold walk over the bleak marshland, whilst the ever-
green shrubs growing around should be a complete shelter
from the marrow-reaching North-easter (the most favourable
wind for this class of sport).

By imperceptible degrees the light gradually fades away
and the watchers are awakened from their reveries by the
weird cry of a lapwing or the scaping of a snipe warning

FLIGHTING 139

them to be on the qui vive. Presently there is the unmistak-
able whistle of pinions, followed, a moment later, by a rushing
sound in the air, and two or three wild duck alight with a
mighty splash in the centre of the water. The gun stationed
in the south-east screen, or perhaps the keeper, immediately
puts into motion a bell, which is sometimes placed on the
western shore with a communicating cord or wire. This
frightens the fowl so that they fly up over the guns and
away from the bell or rattle (whichever may be used), offer-
ing good sporting shots, which in the uncertain light are much
more difficult than one anticipates.

After the first two or three arrivals there is generally a
short interval, then the body of the fowl arrive in quick
succession, and if the circumstances and elements be favour-
able sport should be fast and furious for upwards of an
hour.

If the wind blows from the west it may be as well to
place one gun, at least, in a screen behind the shelving shore.
Early in the evening he can put the fowl over the other guns,
and later, as the night lowers and the darkness deepens, he
can draw out from his screen, continuing to put up the fowl
as occasion requires.

Working in this manner, the fowl, if allowed to alight first
(the most killing method), will, on being alarmed, jump from
the water and spread out in all directions ; the shooting is thus
equally divided and the sport increased. It is always more
or less dangerous to shoot at fowl on the water, and at best
it is a pot-hunting process.

Instead of having first ordered the fowl to be frightened
out by the keeper earlier in the afternoon, had the wild-
fowlers crept stealthily down to the pool, taken up positions,
and, acting on a preconcerted signal, fired simultaneously at
the birds on the water, and as they rose therefrom the result
would have been that seven or eight would have been bagged
and all the fowl frightened away for some time to come.
Whereas, by acting on the lines suggested, the shooters, to
the number of quite half a dozen, can visit the water once or

140

BROADLAND SPORT

twice a week all through the season and have the oppor-
tunity of firing some twenty shots or more at each visit ;
whilst the bag will naturally be heavy or light in accordance
with the straightness of the powder.

One peculiar fact is noteworthy. A decoy pond may be
worked and shot for many years before an opportunity
presents itself of shooting any of the half-bred wildfowl
flighting into it at night. They seem to tumble to the ar-
rangements, and although they are always to be found in the
immediate neighbourhood of the pool they never lift into it
during the evening whilst the guns are concealed there with
the dogs.

IN MEDIAS RF-(k|))s

CHAPTER XIII

GREAT YARMOUTH TO HORNING

Almost all the rivers which carry their freshets to the sea
find an outlet into the Yarmouth Roadsteads. Roughly
speaking, there are between forty and fifty Broads, having a
total area of about 4000 acres, any one of which may be
reached from the rivers which converge at Great Yarmouth.
No wonder the tide runs strong, and the local wherrymen are
wise in their generation when they demur at orders which
direct them to proceed without regard to ebb or flow.

From the experience gained in coming from Oulton, the
advantages are foreseen of laying plans for navigation with a
due respect for the tide time-tables. Leaving gay old Yar-
mouth behind with its ancient walls and turrets, its quaint
rows, streets, curious houses, its hospitable inhabitants and
pretty fisher-girls, we somewhat reluctantly proceed upon our
way up the North River towards the heart of the Broad
District. For ten miles the going is anything but comfort-
able, the river is narrow, mud banks jut out into the stream
at many points, often being found quite in the middle ; plenty
of other craft are met with, passed and repassed, to the
hindrance of themselves as well as others, and the scenery is
neither attractive nor interesting.

Along the whole stretch of river to Acle, a distance of
twelve miles, little worthy of note on either hand is passed.
To the south, a flat expanse of marsh land extends for miles,
with nothing to break the sky-line except an occasional water-
mill ; on the north the upland is visible, and after passing the
Two-Mile House the ruined tower of Caistor Castle may just
be seen rising therefrom. Leaving the three-mile, four-mile,

141

142 BROADLAND SPORT

five-mile, six-mile, and seven-mile houses behind, we come to
Stokesby Ferry, a group of tumbled-down cottages erected
upon the banks of the river in picturesque confusion, attractive
to the artist but to no one else. Next comes " Muckfleet," a
grown-up dyke only kept open by the water running from
Ormesby and Filby Broads, which stretches of water have
much to attract the angler, but the shooting on both is
strictly preserved. This dyke is four miles in length and
navigable to a dinghy. He who is venturous enough to row
up it will require much refreshment and many rests, the way
being laboursome and difficult,

Turning, a point of the winding stream Acle is before us,
and we lay-to within a hundred yards of the ancient stone
bridge.

This stretch of the river from Acle to Yarmouth has little
to attract the sportsman. Occasionally an odd fowl may
be met with in the river, but on account of the traffic this is
a rare occurrence. The rands are not sufficiently attractive
to snipe, although they are to be met with. Ruffs, reeves,
sandpipers and stints now and again visit the waterway,
but lapwings are at all times passing and re-passing there-
over.

Many a weary hour has the author spent navigating this
stream in the hope of obtaining sport with the gun, but never
yet has he been successful in marking in his register a red
letter day. Should there be a marsh close to the river with a
bright spot on it (in other words, an overflow of water) with-
out there being others similarly covered within a considerable
distance, the flight shooter may anticipate an hour's good
shooting when the evening draws to a close, as peewits love
these places which are most attractive to them at sundown.
As a stand for this sport it is best to select a gateway, where,
by crouching down as near to the gate-post as possible, the
birds are unable to distinguish the outline of the flighter ; but
he will have his work cut out in making a bag, more
especially if there happens to be a bit of a breeze blowing at
the time.

GREAT YARMOUTH TO HORNING

M3

It is extraordinary how difficult peewits are to shoot at
night when the elements are rough ; like leaves blown by the
wind, they hover, whirl, and twist about in all directions. To
attempt to follow-on is useless ; it is only the smart snap-shot
which brings them lifeless to the ground. When on an
expedition of this kind it is advisable to carry a long
pole having a small board about four inches square or
round firmly attached at one end. This pole is used ^jg
for jumping the ditches, and the object of the board
is to prevent the pole sinking too far down in the ooze,
which everywhere abounds. With a pole such as de-
scribed, light, and only ten or twelve feet long, with a
sling in which to carry one's gun, a fairly active man
should be able to take a bee line in all directions over
the marshes and their incomprehensible network of
dykes and drains. Of course, the shooting on these
marshes is private, but little, if any, game is ever found
there. Wildfowl and seabirds claim them as their own,
and at night are feeding to their hearts' content upon
them in all directions. Should the trespassing visitor
be approached by a marshman or others, he will find
that a civil explanation, a pipe of tobacco and the price
of a drink goes a long way to open up the marshes to
him, as well as to find him sport. The owners of the
marshes do not, as a rule, object to the visitation of
the flight shooter, unless there be game in the neigh-
bourhood which they are preserving for themselves or
friends.

The angling between Acle and Yarmouth is practi-
cally a dead letter, although in the reaches near Acle Bridge
good bags are made. The visitor will do well to visit the Angel
Inn, which stands on the banks of the river immediately ad-
joining the bridge, where good accommodation is obtainable as
well as boats, baits, luncheon, tackle, guns, traps and every other
requisite. The village of Acle is worthy of a visit. It lies
about one mile from the river, and contains two good village
hostelries, where accommodation for man and beast can be

144 BROADLAND SPORT

obtained, namely, "The Queen's Head" and "The King's
Head."

The shooting in the neighbourhood of Acle is mostly
divided into small holdings, many of which can be hired at
about one shilling an acre all round. Partridges are most in
evidence, and the average bag for four guns would be about
twenty brace a day, together with half a score of hares, for
which the neighbourhood is celebrated.

Acle Bridge is a solid stone structure supposed to have
dated from the time of the Romans. If one has never seen
these Norfolk bridges, an inspection should be made from
above as well as from below. A little way from the bridge
is the entrance to Upton Dyke leading to Upton Broad, where,
in times gone by, many rare birds have been collected. The
broad is enclosed by trees and is difficult to explore, unless a
permit is obtained from the owner and the use of his boat
granted. This is one of the broads which is rapidly growing
up, and in a few years' time it will become converted from
open water into a wet bottom can*.*

The dykes, rands and swamps which surround these
broads and fleets are interesting to the lover of nature as
having once afforded undisturbed homes to plants, insects and
birds which are now almost entirely numbered with the past.
It was here that ruffs used to choose their hillocks on which to
fight for the reeves which collected round the base of the
hillock, watching the combat with interest and admiration, in
the end falling easy victims to the horse-hair snoozes so art-
fully set by the cunning marshman. The bittern and the
black-tailed god wit also frequented these haunts during the
incubation season, but now, if one of these comparatively rare
species is seen a dozen men with guns follow everywhere
hunting it to death.

The Acle Reach is a capital, fishing station and easy of
access from Yarmouth or Norwich by rail, whilst traps can
be procured at the village or at the bridge to drive to or from
the river. The reaches just above the bridge also afford

* In Broadland — a marshland covert.

GREAT YARMOUTH TO HORNING 145

excellent sailing, and the regattas are visited by over two
hundred yachts and other craft at every fixture of the local
yacht clubs. For the fishing it is advisable to inquire from
the local watermen, or, better still, take one of them in the
boat before setting out, as the swims vary so in accordance
with wind, tide, moon and other circumstances, that however
correctly described the visitor would most probably go away
dissatisfied if he had not taken further assistance upon the
spot to guide him.

Beyond Upton Dyke there is almost a straight run past
Fishley Mill to Thurnmouth, three miles from the bridge,
and fifteen from Yarmouth. The river now bears away due
west for two miles, to St Bennet's Abbey.

From Thurnmouth to St Bennet's Abbey the fishing
is good, and plenty of peewits may be killed crossing the
river if a constant lookout is kept and the boat is fairly
well concealed. The rands provide snipe in November, but
beyond this there is little other sport.

St Bennet's Abbey is situated on the River Bure, on a
rising knoll of land near to the point where the River Ant
joins the Bure, and facing the three entrances to South
Walsham Broad. On all sides it is surrounded by marshes,
and at one time, no doubt, this knoll of land must have been
an island rising from the swamps. In many places on the
land (which is several acres in extent) may be seen traces
of the old walls and of the ruined Abbey, which, about a
hundred years ago, was converted into a windmill, now also
in ruins. The lofty archway (built in the days of Canute)
is still standing, and in the cool recesses of the interior of the
mill may be seen portions of ancient carving and other
objects of interest to those who study the history of former
times. To the west of the windmill the remains of fish tanks
used by the monks can easily be traced.

The river reach, on which the abbey stands, is noted for
perch, probably accounted for by the hard, gravelly bottom
which exists in many parts of it.

This is a region of good fishing of all description, no

k «

146 SROADLAND SPORT

matter what direction fancy takes ; the Ant and its tribu-
taries may be especially mentioned.

The shooting round St Bennet's Abbey is very good, and
fortunate is the man who can hire sufficient of the rough
swamps favoured by snipe to occupy a whole day's beat.
Within a gun-shot of the ruined walls excellent sport may
also be obtained upon the marshes, which in this neighbour-
hood are cultivated by the farmer to his advantage during
a dry season. In standing beans hares are mostly found, but
the cover is so dense and high that they are very difficult to
shoot or to drive into the open. On some of the stubbles of
these marshes are many coveys of birds, and until quite late
into the autumn they are easy to obtain, on account of the
quantity of cover which everywhere abounds ; but it must be
remembered by the visitor that this class of shooting is of
marketable value, consequently it is preserved. Inquiries in
the neighbourhood will soon make known what tracts there
may be undisposed of, their rentals, and all concerning
them.

This shooting has a special charm ; a half day on the
uplands, together with a half day on the marshes, producing
a bag of great variety. The unusual nature of the surround-
ings, the difficulty of the shooting by reason of the variety
of the quarry, the passage of the broad dykes, the negotiation
of the smaller ones by means of a jumping pole, all add to
the experience which an ordinary common or garden shoot
lacks. Not only this, but when any ordinary mortal would
consider sport at an end, the evening flight can be relied upon
for a few shots.

The shooting above referred to lies more to the north of
St Bennet's Abbey than to the south. On the south side of the
River Bure the marshes are all laid down to grass, and one
must tramp many miles to obtain sport, unless exceptional
fortune favour the shooter. This does not apply to the
swamps which lie contiguous to the broads, which are strictly
preserved, and generally let with the upland. At all times
of the year they furnish a most interesting observation

GREAT YARMOUTH TO HORNING 147

ground to the botanist and ornithologist, as well as sport to
lovers of the gun.

South Walsham Broad, which is situated about a mile
from the river, under the uplands, is divided into two parts,
the Little and the Great Broad. The public claim the right
to shoot upon the Little Broad, which is, of course, disputed
by the surrounding owners. The Great Broad, which is con-
nected with the Little Broad by means of a narrow dyke,
is strictly preserved, and is at times well stocked with fowl.
At the westernmost end, separated by another dyke, lies
Sotshole Broad, a mere pulkhole grown up in summer with
water lilies and weeds. These broads are surrounded by woods
very picturesquely situated. For some years it has been the
custom of the lessee of the shooting to breed a number of
half-bred wild ducks, which afford excellent sport when the
season opens. During the autumn, pochards, widgeon, teal,
duck and mallard, tufted duck, shovellers, and many species of
long- winged fowl are nearly always to be found here. After
the first shot is fired the foreign fowl circle high in the air,
and they understand all too well how to take care of them-
selves. Many a day's excellent sport has the author had
upon these waters, the memory of which is not likely to be
effaced by time, and as the years roll on they are looked back
to as sweet pages of a happy past.

One of the most enjoyable sports Broadland affords is
evening flighting. It is good between two of these broads.
Warmly clad and provided with long marsh boots one sits
upon a hummock of hassock grass concealed from view by
a rudely-made screen of reeds, or a net- work of improvised
boughs and bushes, bent and twisted into a leafy curtain,
before and around. A well-trained Norfolk retriever crouches
as near as circumstances will permit, its ears pricked, its head
on one side, and its whole attitude showing that the dog has
as much interest in the proceedings as its master.

As the shades of evening draw to a close, and the mist
rises from the water and swamps, rail may be seen stealing
noiselessly from their haunts amongst the labyrinth of rush

148 BROADLAND SPORT

and sedge, stepping gently over the broad water-lily leaves,
and picking insects from the herbage as they seek their even-
ing meal ; the water-hen chirrups to his mate, they also
seek supper before retiring to rest in the low alder
bushes ; white-faced coots, which during the day have been
splashing in the broad, betake themselves to some favourite
island in the sedges, where they prune their dusky feathers
and make their toilet with the perfect security that evening-
tide brings; wood-pigeons or ring-doves pass and repass,
taking their flight either to the fir trees, where it is their
intention to pass the night, or else to some well-known bush,
which they make use of to descend to the water's edge to
take a nightcap to assist the digestion of the contents of their
well-nigh bursting crop ; the heron returning from the marsh
utters his harsh " f-f-f-rank," and should he alight upon a fir-
tree near to the ambush, he will disgust one with the un-
gentlemanly utterances which he gives forth before he takes
himself to rest ; the water vole contentedly munches the sedge
roots, and perchance the splashing of an otter is heard as it
enters the water.

At the beginning of the night these and many other
sights and sounds of interest may be noted by the flight
shooter from his ambush. Thus far, he will content himself
with observing only ; he will not disturb the scene by draw-
ing trigger, he will await the coming of the fowl or other
quarry more worthy of his cartridge. Perhaps his first shot
will be at a woodcock, which flits silently from some low-
lying alder carr to a favourite clump of holly trees upon an
upland bank adjoining the marsh land. Perhaps it will be
a snipe, both of them difficult shots in the uncertain light of
evening-tide.

The retriever which has had a careful training will not
permit these incidents and signs of life to pass by un-
observed ; very little will escape its attention, and if he be
watched, many a sign will be brought to notice which would
otherwise have escaped. Suddenly he cocks his head on one
side, looks up and surveys the horizon around him ; his ears

GREAT YARMOUTH TO HORNING 149

are delicate, he has first detected the faint whistle of the
wings of wildfowl, and shortly we also shall catch the un-
mistakable whistle of mallard on the wing. Minutes seem to
pass, which in reality are but a few seconds, and before we
have been able to distinguish the fowl they are on us with
a rush of wings that would startle the unexperienced shooter,
and they alight on the water with a mighty splash which
causes the pulses to throb and the veins to be on fire with
suppressed excitement. Should the fowl fly between us
and the western sky, there will be little difficulty in spotting
them, but it takes a good man to kill dead a right and
left when the evening is far advanced.

Sometimes when fowl have been much shot at, or the
wind is light and the weather fine, they will circle several
times round the water before alighting, and it is a good rule
to follow, " never to pull trigger unless the gun is prepared
to lay even money with himself ; like a well-known sporting
duke, either his left-hand pocket against his right, or to lay
it " on the nod " with his four-footed companion.

Each shot creates a hubbub all around, which at first is
quite unexpected. The water birds which make their home
in this particular neighbourhood commence shrieking, and
uttering loud cries of alarm, spluttering into the reeds with
a great rumpus. The retriever should require no direction ;
he has noted the result of the shot and silently leaves, soon
bringing to our feet the slain, which he retrieves with great
pride in his work. No sooner is he back than he is off again
in another direction to fetch the second bird. Other shots
follow, sometimes successfully, but more often otherwise, and
thus we sit, without moving from one position, until the last
light of day has faded from the sky and only the stars
twinkle overhead, or the night wind howls and the darkening
scud comes on, and we are unable to see by the watch how
quickly the time has passed.

According to circumstances, the bag is heavy or light, and
the expenditure of cartridges large or small; but whether
sport is obtained or not, the satisfaction is great at having

150 BROAD LAND SPORT

had the opportunity of passing one more evening upon the
marshland, in the midst of the life which we love, and having
added to our experience by noting the hundred and one minor
incidents which are always fresh and interesting, however
often they may have been seen before.

The foregoing picture is but a reminiscence of Broadland
life at the close of day, or an evening on the flighting ground,
but should the visitor not be fortunate enough to obtain per-
mission from some owner or other to participate in that
sport, he can, if he be so minded, by leaving his gun and dog
behind him, betake himself in a " dinghy " or punt to some
well-known stand upon a water to which he has access, and
by concealing himself in the rushes, watch the scene, and in
his imagination picture what he would do could he only
carry his wishes into effect.

Whilst moored at St Bennet's Abbey it is well to sail
in the dinghy to explore the ramifications of such broads as
lie in the district, and in doing so to spin a spoon bait out
aft. This process should be rewarded during the day with
several runs both from pike and perch, which are taken home
for consumption on board.

The fishing on South Walsham Great Broad is preserved,
but it is not difficult to obtain the necessary permission, and
very large takes often reward the patient piscator.

Leaving St Bennet's Abbey, we turn a bend of the river
reaching southwards, and arrive at the dyke leading to
Ran worth Broads. Like South Walsham, these broads lie
about a mile from the river, and the fishing and shooting is
preserved on each, although the public claim a right to fish
on Ranworth Little Broad. During the autumn and winter
these broads are noted for the pike they contain, which run
from thirty pounds in weight downwards.

Ranworth Great Broad, which at one time contained
several decoy pipes, is noted in Broadland for the wildfowl
that collect there during the winter.

From Ranworth Broad several other minor waters are
navigable. The whole neighbourhood is strictly preserved

152 BROADLAND SPORT

and an enormous head of game kept up, a fact soon brought
home to the visitor by the quantity of birds of all descrip-
tions met with everywhere.

Returning once more to the river, its winding course leads
to Horning Ferry. This part of the river runs through a
district of bogs and swamps, which have been reclaimed from
the main stream by drainage at a great expense to the
owners. The swamps extend over thousands of acres, and in
many places snipe and other wildfowl are found in abundance.
Well do we remember, when in company with two other
friends, we had a day's rough shooting on these very swamps.
Starting from the Old Maltings at Ranworth Quay, we em-
barked in a flat-bottom lighter which was pulled by a couple
of marshmen through the many clumps of reeds and sedge to
the entrance to a broad dyke. On the way over the water we
had several shots at snipe, coot, moor-hen and other birds
Then we were landed on a bog whilst the marshmen took the
boat round a labyrinth of dykes to meet us at another point.
We floundered along as noiselessly and as best we could over
the flooded bogs, the litter from which had been cut and
gathered, picking up on our way snipe and other water birds,
but missing many more than we shot at.

Occasionally we would conceal ourselves in a clump of
reeds or in a friendly bush as a large bunch of peewits or a
few fowl took their line of flight in our direction, but more
often than otherwise were these tactics unsuccessful. Joining
our friends in the boat we were next deposited on some finer
marshes used for grazing, where we were able to add seven
and a half brace of pheasants and a leash of partridges to the
bag. Taking to the swamps again at a different point, we
beat some 500 acres, flushing a large number of snipe,
but not securing more than five and a half couple. We
should have killed more had not some of the party taken
occasional headers into places where they should have set
their feet. This necessitated a large consumption of whisky
which, it is perhaps needless to add, did not tend to promote
straight shooting ; but the sport these swamps afforded

GREAT YARMOUTH TO HORNING

153

was of the most enjoyable description. It was not an un-
common occurrence to have a right and left at a snipe and
a pheasant, or at a pheasant and a duck, and the flora
through which we pushed our way was delightful even to
one who has no knowledge of the subject. A day such as this,
coming as it did in the middle of the shooting season, and in
itself so different in comparison with the ordinary day's sport
to which we were accustomed, was the more appreciated and
in consequence the more enjoyed.

MAISON DEAU.

CHAPTER XIV

ACHTING RESORT

The low-lying landscape of
uninterrupted marshland
stretching away from Yar-
mouth to Acle is monotonous
even to the sportsman, steam
drainage having rendered the
marsh unattractive to most
species of wildfowl. Occa-
sionally in the autumn, after
a wet season, snipe are fairly
abundant, and may be shot
from a boat on the river as
they rise from the rands, but as a rule,
in summer, nothing catches the eye of
the gunner save perhaps the lazy flight
of a solitary heron in the remote dis-
tance, or a few lapwings as they cross
the river from time to time.

Shooting on the rivers and broads, owing to the crowds
of armed Cockneys which appeared when these waterways
were first brought under the notice of the public, fell into evil
repute. This was perhaps hardly surprising when irate
landowners found their cattle wounded by bullets, blinded by
charges of shot, the sails of their yachts perforated, and the
roofs of their watermills damaged by projectiles discharged
from the weapons of these would-be sportsmen. No language
is too strong to denounce such offenders, and no treatment

154

^sr

A SKELETON WATERMILL.

A RIVER YACHTING RESORT 155

would be too harsh to serve out to those guilty of such
wanton cruelty and mischief. However, as these lines are
more likely to be perused by sportsmen than by others, it
is not necessary to dwell upon the abuses that firearms of
every description have been put to in this locality.

As Horning is approached the scenery undergoes a wel-
come change. The landscape becomes more undulating, and
in some places is densely wooded. The river is bordered by
a broad margin of reed -covered swampy marshes, studded
here and there with innumerable clumps of alder and secluded
pools and dykes — a veritable paradise for wildfowl.

Visitors, however, must not imagine that they are at
liberty to roam and rove to their hearts' content through
the tempting tangle of undergrowth and aquatic vegetation
which stretches away on either hand from the riverside to
the middle distance. But should they select a favourable
retreat by the river bank at sundown, they will, with
moderate luck, be rewarded for their patience when the
wildfowl leave their swampy haunts for evening flight.

Early in August, after the duck have been disturbed on
the private broads abounding in this district, they may
frequently be seen on the wing in considerable quantities,
wheeling with uncertain flight within easy range, but sports-
men must remember that when retrieving birds dropped
beyond the boundary of the . river wall their guns must be
left behind, and it is not legal to avail one's self of the
assistance of a dog.

With respect to " flighting," most careful observation is
necessary to determine the exact point of ambush, and
one more often than not finds the spot selected is just
out of range. However, in this as in everything else,
success is bought by experience, and one or two failures
may result in the discovery of the precise position which
will be favourable to making a bag. So long as the feeding
ground continues satisfactory and the fowl are not harassed
too much they will take the same line night after night.
From this it is patent that it is of the greatest importance

156 BROADLAND SPORT

to take note of the particular locality which affords the
attraction, also to glean all information possible from local
flight shooters, who will be found agreeable companions,
and, if treated with due respect, fairly communicative.

Personally, when shooting in a new district, or late in
the season in a known district, we always prefer their
company for a few nights in order to make ourselves well
up-to-date in the lines of flight. On these occasions we lean
together over a marsh gate or barrier, listening with interest
to the many anecdotes they always have at the tip of their
tongue, learning much of the habits of the denizens of marsh-
land, until the time arrives when we must separate to take
up our respective stands for the eveuing.

About two hundred yards down stream from Horning
Ferry is a bend of the river which lies nearest to Ranworth
Broad and the innumerable pulkholes in the bogs and
swamps, where an excellent stand for flight shooting will
be found, and many is the fowl the author has dropped of
an evening, with a mighty splash, shooting from this point ;
but the rands around are so boggy and dangerous that few
birds can be recovered without the aid of a good dog.
During the daytime little or nothing is seen ; almost all the
shooting is done when the sun has set and the air is alive
with birds, which one not accustomed to flighting may fail
to notice.

Horning Ferry, situated about a quarter of a mile from
the village, and about a hundred yards or so from the up-
lands, is one of the most interesting spots in Broadland, not
only on account of its position, but also by reason of the
everyday country life to be seen when staying there. Many
a time during the day the old ferry boat is cranked over the
river with its living freight of horses, traps, beasts or stock,
which are being conveyed from one part of the marshes to
the other. The eccentric costumes of the Cockney and other
yachtsmen, who make this a favourite camping ground,
cannot fail to attract attention. The sporting annals of the
inn, dating back so many years, may well be dived into, and

A RIVER YACHTING RESORT 157

the rustic dances of the labouring classes on a Saturday
evening in the low-roofed and brick-floored tap-room are
worthy of encouragement. It is generally agreed that the
time devoted to Horning Ferry is well spent, and as enjoy-
able as any part of a cruise in Broadland.

The Ferry Inn is a charmingly picturesque hostelry of
considerable antiquity, which contains in its visitors' list the
autograph signatures of many notable men, amongst whom
may be mentioned the Duke of Argyle and the Marquis of
Lome. For many years the Ferry Inn was in the hands of
Mr Thompson, a sportsman of the old school, whose splendid
physique, genial countenance, and unlimited stock of sporting
yarns were known to every " Broadsider " in the county.
We can remember how " Old Thompson " used to make our
piscatorial bumps throb with excitement as year after year
he would relate that the giant pike, supposed to be at least
50 lbs. in weight, was still pursuing its unchecked career of
piracy and plunder. This marauder of the deeps round Horn-
ing defied the strongest gimp, and if only half the tales heard
were to be believed, it had appropriated enough fishing tackle to
start a small shop with. It was not, however, by legitimately
acquiring the various gee-gaws provided by confiding anglers
that it gained its reputation for potential greed; many a
pheasant and duck was supposed to have disappeared in its
capacious maw, much to the astonishment and chagrin of
those who had shot the birds ; but at length this advanced
type of Esox Indus met with an untimely end in the trammels
of a bow net. It is always so with noble fish. Its gross
weight proved to be 34 lbs., and the scene of his depredations
knows him no more.

Poor Thompson, having in due course become a martyr to
rheumatic gout, retired, fearing that the winters of this marshy
land " might double him up for ever." The Ferry Inn since
his retirement has changed hands once or twice, but is still
an excellent retreat for those who desire to indulge in
fishing and shooting which the locality offers, although,
of course, the place, to those who knew it in the palmy

158 BROADLAND SPORT

days of the old sportsman referred to above, is hardly the
same.

When our wherry, the commodious Warrior, arrived
within sight of Horning Ferry, the sun was sinking into a
glorious bed of rose-tinted clouds, before which a thin white
curtain of marsh mist was rising, whilst the masts of the
numerous craft of all sizes which loomed above it looked
gaunt and uncanny because the hulls of the vessels to which
they belonged were invisible. The wind, as is customary in
Broadland at that season of the year, had died away to a
whisper, and the bats and water voles emerged from their
gloomy haunts to enjoy an evening meal.

The quant had to be used freely, and with its aid we
gradually crept nearer and nearer to this apparent oasis in the
desert of marsh mist which now enveloped us.

At last we were alongside the other craft, whose respective
crews were soon busy preparing dinner and putting up
awnings for the night.

Selecting a berth as near to the green fronting the inn as
possible, the rand anchors were secured fore and aft, and we
made tracks for the hostelry for a preliminary reconnoitre
with sherry and bitters by way of an appetissant.

The bar parlour is generally crowded with thirsty yachts-
men. On this particular occasion two of them were nailing a
notice to the wooden partition, headed Le Palais Gaiete ole
Carnr, and, in effect announcing that a grand concert would
be held that evening in the club-room, to which everyone was
invited, the terms of admission being a contribution of some
kind or other towards the general entertainment.

When first reading this we wondered what hour would be
suggested for ordering the " gigs," but on looking a little lower
down a footnote was observable.

N.B. — Should the Landlord of this Hotel produce chuckers-out at the
hour of ten, or before, the Concert will be continued on board the
Good Ship Nautilus. By order of the Worshipful President, Bacchus
Neptune Appolloman, Esq.

Of course we consented to go to the concert, as did almost

A RIVER YACHTING RESORT 159

everyone else from the yachts moored in the neighbourhood,
and the event promised to be one not lacking in amusement.

A detailed description of that evening, although it might
certainly come within the category of Broadland sport, is
hardly such subject-matter as should be included within the
pages of the present volume, and it is therefore skipped.

Visiting first the low-roofed kitchen, we watched for up-
wards of half an hour the many and varied step dances of the
Horning rustics. An American hand organ provided the
music and a liberal supply of nutty brown old ale, with a dash
of gin in it, promoted the energy of the dancers to an extent
amazing to onlookers. At first glance the dancing appeared
to consist of nothing but a great rattling of feet upon the
well-sanded brick floor, with much stamping and occasional
exclamations and gesticulations to vary the monotony, but
the more careful observer would note that regular steps were
made and that the dance in progress was one which required
both practice and skill to perform.

On the whole it was quaint, peculiar and unapproached,
except perhaps by the dances in the wilds of Andalusia as
rendered by the Jitanos and Spanish peasants. On entering
the so-called Palais Gaiete de Coeur we were hailed with an
enthusiastic welcome, although the room was so crowded and
filled with tobacco smoke it was difficult to distinguish any-
thing or anybody. At the moment a member of the company
was engaged in singing "The Tarpaulin Jacket," in the
chorus of which everyone most lustily joined, whilst several
members of the audience were sitting upon a luckless in-
dividual who still insisted in attempting to recite " The Life-
boat" as his contribution. When howled down he would
not accept the verdict of his listeners, but made repeated
attempts to renew his offer by starting upon the first verse,
regardless of what was going on or the objections of those
around him.

Doubtless we should have stayed longer than we did, but
the heat and smoke were so oppressive we were glad to seek
the fresh air outside, and. muffled up in our mackintoshes, we

i6o BROADLAND SPORT

sipped our grog on a garden chair, listening to the rowdy
voices within the house and the weird cries of the waterfowl
which filled the air without.

As had been feared, the landlord's chuckers-out did
appear on the scene and bundled the whole company off the
premises at ten o'clock p.m. to the minute, but not before
several of them had secured stone jars of beer and other
refreshments, with which they intended to continue their
merriment and debauchery far into the night. Prominent
amongst them we could hear the would-be reciter of " The
Lifeboat." He had apparently annexed a stone jar of old
beer, which was claimed by a man from another boat, and
an altercation ensued amusing in the extreme to listeners.
One hiccupped out snatches of the recitation in a
confused jumble, the other used bad language and abusive
epithets, whilst both tugged hard at the two-handled jar,
disputing its ownership. Suddenly a splash announced the
fact that there was a man overboard, whom we were
perfectly correct in assuming was the gentleman interested
in the lifeboat. He was fished out, however, with boat-
hooks, amidst much laughter and expressions of mock
condolence, after which the party, excepting those who were
visiting the Nautilus, broke up into little groups and made
their way to the cabins of their respective craft for a
final nightcap before turning in. Having one of the largest
cabins, we invited several of the quieter members to accom-
pany us on board, and when we were seated comfortably in cosy
corners of the cushioned lounge, the conversation immediately
turned to the subject that was ever uppermost in our minds
— namely, sport.

Amongst our guests was the son of a Broadland squire,
one of the few that had managed to live upon his own
acres and farm them in spite of the depressing times. He was
a keen sportsman in every branch of the art and had known
all the broads and waterways from childhood. With the
natural grace and easy confidence of a Norfolk gentleman
he soon grasped the topics of conversation which interested

A RIVER YACHTING RESORT 161

us most, and after a few preliminary anecdotes he leant back
in his seat, blew a ring or two of smoke from his pipe,
and narrated the following peculiar and unaccountable ex-
perience : —

A Shooter's Confession, or the Gun with the Bent

Stock.

During the month of November, in the year 189 — , I had
been to stay the week-end with a friend in the heart of
the Broad district, and at breakfast on the Monday morn-
ing, prior to my departure, he urged me to prolong my visit
a few hours.

He spoke of wildfowl. He said he could lend me boots,
clothes, gun and cartridges, and he guaranteed good sport.

I was sorely tempted. Surely a few hours could not
matter so materially to the mission I had undertaken for that
day ; besides, could I not make up the leeway by burning
the midnight oil ? Such a chance as he offered — even pressed
upon me — might not present itself again for some time to
come. I was weak, and yielded to his persuasive eloquence
and his generous hospitality ; thus was it arranged for me
to catch the afternoon train instead of the earlier one that
in duty bound I should have taken.

After breakfast we repaired to the gun-room, where I was
rigged out in long indiarubber boots, a loose-fitting yellow-
coloured Norfolk jacket, a tweed hat to match ; and I was
offered a selection from several guns of various pattern.
" This," said my host, " is an excellent wildfowling gun ; in
fact, there never was a better one made, but unluckily the
stock has too much bend, and I have postponed its alteration
so long that it has not yet been attended to. However, if you
think you can shoot with it, you will find it a beauty." " If
I thought I could shoot with it ! " — what a suggestion ! I —
who had started shooting when scarce eight winters had
passed over my head; I — who had handled guns of
almost all descriptions, and under the most varying circum-

i62 BROADLAND SPORT

stances. The doubtful tone of his voice at once decided me.
I would take this gun in preference to any other if I never
touched a feather. (I did not say so openly ; I only thought
it.) I would show him that, bend or no bend, it mattered
not to me, for that day at least the gun with the corkscrew
stock which he meant to have altered should so excel its
former self in its death-dealing propensities that its owner
should seriously reconsider the advisability of altering it at
all.

Gentle listener, bear with me to the end of this narrative,
and you will see how my egotism was so ruefully taken
down, and how all such vain thoughts should be suppressed
the moment they enter the brain, in case the tongue should
be weak and foolish enough to betray utterance.

Our sporting toilet was scarce complete when the dogcart
drove up to the door, and we were bowling smoothly along
a good turnpike road towards the reed-grown waste of bog
and open water, surrounded by fair woodlands, which marked
Ran worth Great Broad.

Our appearance was not expected, but the preparations
for our sport were none the slower carried out, and I at least
had the double satisfaction of seeing more in detail than I
otherwise should have done.

Fortified with a nip of home-made cherry brandy, our
steps through the glade, which wound its way among the
nut bushes of the old rookery, were elastic and hurried. We
were eager for the fray, and the noise made by the wildfowl
on the open water, of which we caught an occasional glimpse
through the undergrowth, only inspired us the more. The
retrievers were in ecstasies. All of us were sanguine, and
felt the hot blood of excitement and expectancy coursing
through our veins, except perhaps the keeper and the boatman.

At the home farm my host had stopped and invited the
bailiff to accompany us, which invitation had been cordially
accepted. A more jovial companion, a keener sportsman, or
a better shot than he was I have rarely met.

Arriving at a tumble-down old boathouse we were greeted

A RIVER YACHTING RESORT i63

by the decoys. The quacking they gave tongue to when
they saw us, which they kept up incessantly all the time we
were there, was really worthy of a better cause, so far as the
well-being of their wilder congeners was concerned. A few
of their number were white, but the majority of them were
the small cross-bred wild ducks. Tame ! They were all so
tame you could catch them in your hand. They took no
notice of our dogs. You had to take care not to tread on
them ; but if hustled, they would fly away as strongly appar-
ently as wild ones would have done. About a dozen of these
the keeper caught without ceremony, putting them into a
couple of bags, which he placed in the boat.

My host was then rowed to an island on the north side of
the water, and half-a-dozen of the over-confiding call ducks
were anchored down outside the fringe of reeds which sur-
rounded his small domain. They were tied to bricks, with
about six or ten yards of twine apiece as tether ropes. On
the island a shelter or screen had been constructed with reed
hurdles, and so skilfully was it arranged that at a distance
of a few paces it was well-nigh impossible to distinguish it
from its surroundings.

My agricultural friend and myself were then conducted
by a narrow, tortuous path, picked out through the low-lying
alder carrs and sedge-covered swamps, to our stands, which
were situated at the further end of the broad, and, by the
way we traversed, distant perhaps a mile from the boathouse.

Half-an-hour we were allowed to get to our positions.
That short space of time seemed an age to me.

The path itself was interesting Treacherous bogs were
spanned by faggots sunk deep into the slime, and fixed to-
gether by wire or willow bands. Rank vegetation, having
entwined and twisted its tortuous roots well into these
faggots, had caused soil of a kind to be formed, and cut litter
having been freely scattered on the path, walking was
rendered easy, dry and noiseless.

About every fifty yards little becks or drains had to be
crossed by means of moss-grown bridges, which were merely

164 BROADLAND SPORT

tree trunks halved and thus made use of. When near the
haunts of the fowl, high reed screens had been placed at all
angles to shield the shooter, and litter had been scattered with
a free hand.

Occasionally we passed secluded pools, overhung with
trees and alder bushes, too secluded for wildfowl, but beloved
by the rail and moorhen, many of which we disturbed as we
wended our way stealthily along. Wood-pigeons were there
in plenty. Pheasants ran on the path before us and behind,
like chickens in an orchard, and all the while we could hear a
perfect babel of quacking, splashing, whistling and flapping
from the wildfowl, whose nearer acquaintance we eagerly
looked forward to.

At a bend in the pathway my agricultural friend left me,
with strict injunctions to go the last hundred yards as though
my life depended on it. Following his instructions to the
letter, I proceeded, with body bent (for which there was no
occasion, but in my excitement I thought it best), placing my
feet with a fastidious nicety, trembling all over, and working
myself into a cold perspiration from sheer excitement. This
did not augur well for good results, but I had yet ten minutes
to wait and but twenty yards to go. Every step I took
stirred some new phase of animal life. From the reeds at my
feet water-rails glided, whilst now and again I saw a duck so
near to me that I could almost have touched it with my gun
barrels.

I soon discovered that my path traversed a narrow pen-
insula of land, upon the extreme end of which my screen or
shelter was situated. This made me so nervous of disturbing
the main body of fowl before the appointed time that I
crawled the remainder of the way as best I could, and I did
not breathe freely until I was comfortably seated inside my
little three-cornered hut. Finding I had iive minutes yet to
wait, I lit a pipe to quiet my nerves a bit, laid out a row of
cartridges, placed my gun in readiness, and then placing a flat
stick in the reed screen, twisted it round in order to make a
peephole through which I could reconnoitre.

A RIVER YACHTING RESORT 165

What a sight !

I could see hundreds of mallard, widgeon, teal and water-
birds of all descriptions swimming, bibbling and splashing
about in the water all around me. On my left was a family
party, which I thought I could decimate entirely if they
would only wait until the appointed time came round.

I looked and looked until I dare not look any more or I
should be tempted to outrage the laws of hospitality, throw
discipline to the winds, disobey orders and fire. Taking my
eye from the peephole I loaded my gun. (I had not dared to
load it before; the temptation would have been too great.)
Then I fixed my eyes upon my watch and counted the
seconds.

Hardly had I done so when the roar and mighty splashing
of five hundred mallard rising from the water together and
winging their way heavenward alarmed me.

This I afterwards ascertained was caused by my agri-
cultural friend, who had fallen into a slough of despond and
had cracked some faggot sticks in his endeavours to get out
and reach his shelter without further mischief. It was a
pity, but accidents will happen, as it is said, in the best-regu-
lated families. My family party was scattered and all hopes
of a wholesale sitting-shot were gone.

Unfortunately the elements were not in our favour; it
was one of those still muggy days than which nothing can
be more disadvantageous for wildfowl shooting on inland
waters. Every sound could be heard, and was magnified the
more by the telephonic qualities of the unruffled water, and
there being no wind the fowl flew high and circled longer
before they descended.

Three minutes more ! Overhead the air was dark
with fowl of all kinds, flying low, high, in bunches and
singly. Enviously I looked at them, eagerly I handled the
" excellent gun, with the bent stock," and in my own mind
I cogitated upon the probabilities of the life value of the
various fowl who ventured so near my resting-place.

At last the long-waited-for signal was given. The loud

166 BROADLAND SPORT

roar of my host's 8-bore echoed and re-echoed over the
water. I heard the rush of another large mass of fowl rising,
and, peering over the screen, I noted with exultant joy that
they were heading straight for my hiding-place.

How many, I asked myself, should I get with my first
two shots. I noticed a thick bunch of at least two hundred
duck and mallard. Surely it would not be less than five
with the right barrel and three with the left.

Vain thought ! greedy shooter ! (I cannot designate
myself " sportsman " when I counted on this wholesale
browning.) Nearer they came, and still nearer. The big
bunch was lower than the others were. In my eagerness I
pushed the barrels of my gun over the top of the reed screen,
and the next moment I cursed my rashness. The fowl saw
the movement, slight as it was, and they shaled * upwards.

So eager was I to make that family shot that I mis-
judged distance, and without aiming at any one of them
in particular I fired.

Where was the rain of dead and dying ?

What, not a feather !

Annoyed beyond measure, I fired again, with a like result.

" Ten thousand devils tear me," I thought, what a begin-
ning, what absurd and juvenile eagerness, could I really have
been guilty of such ? could I really have fired at that " wall
of ducks " without drawing a single feather ? I could hardly
believe it.

But my senses were soon brought back to the reality of
the situation by seeing a beautiful right and left made by
my agricultural friend, whose stand was a little northward
to my own. It was a really pretty shot; it inspired me to
follow his example. I had not long to wait for an oppor-
tunity. A bunch of five teal whisked round a clump of
trees and rushed towards the surface of the water like
witches in a hurricane. Again I sent two barrels aimlessly
after them, and again I cursed my too eager disposition.

* Patois, signifying a gliding movement, somewhat similar to the gyrating
course taken by a propelled piece of slate or flat stone.

A RIVER YACHTING RESORT 167

Before I had properly loaded a single mallard passed me ;
he presented a lovely shot, a full broadside, and he was not
more than thirty yards away from me. This time I was
really in earnest. I took a long-sighted aim and carefully
swung my gun in front of him, steadily drawing on the
trigger the while.

Bang! — the echo travelled far and wide, the smoke
cleared away, but no duck fell ; on the contrary, I saw him
mounting higher and higher above the reeds and topping
the alder carr behind me.

Once more I shot with as much care as before, but, alas !
with the same result.

To say that I was disgusted is stating my feelings
moderately. What was wrong ? Was it the cartridges, was
it the gun, or was it the atmosphere ? These and dozens of
other equally absurd questions I put to myself, covering
everything except the real reason — the want of skill in the
shooter, which was myself.

I am not by any means the only one who has thus erred
under similar circumstances, instances in proof of which
every sportsman can call to mind who has had any ex-
perience. But that fact is a poor consolation, and to lose
one's temper and blame one's appliances only drives one
from bad to worse. So it was with me. The more pains I
bestowed upon my aim the cleaner I missed the object. Had
I mauled one or two birds it might have given me a clue to
better results, but even that (fortunately for the unfortunate
wildfowl) was denied me ; and although I stood in my allotted
stand and blazed away at wildfowl in every conceivable
position for upwards of an hour to the benefit of the
cartridge-maker, I never drew blood — at least, not to my
knowledge.

My agricultural friend in the next stand exasperated me,
although I could not but admire his skill. He dropped his
birds seemingly from the clouds, and every one appeared to
fall stone dead. Some even crashed through the yellow
brittle reeds within a few yards of my stand, and, to add

1 68 BROADLAND SPORT

to my annoyance, splashed me with spray when they fell
into the water.

In the distance I could see the little island on which my
other friend was stationed, at intervals I heard either the
roar of his 8-bore or the almost noiseless puff of the nitros
from his 12, and I could see the victims which hovered
round his decoys like moths round a candle crumple up in
the air before the sound of the report could reach me.

When the fowl were first alarmed there must have been
at least a thousand or more on the wing at one time, but
after half-an-hour's serenade they made themselves scarce
and disappeared almost entirely, returning in small groups
from time to time, but, as the weather was so still, they
circled and circled round and round the water, high overhead,
before they could gain sufficient confidence to return to their
former sanctuary. It was this suspicion of theirs which
caused so many to drop upon the surface of the broad for
the last time, and to dye the water with their blood.

As they lowered they sighted the decoys swimming about
where they were accustomed to disport themselves, and
gaining more confidence thereat they approached nearer and
nearer, until the leaden hail stopped them altogether; at
least, as I have before said, so far as my two friends were
concerned. So far as I was concerned, it only caused them
to fly the faster.

After a while we had a lull in our sport for about half
an hour, and the keeper, who had been watching the pro-
ceedings from a distance, visited me. I noticed that he wore
a worried look, but at that pastime I consider I gave him
points and an easy beating.

" How many have you got in ? " he asked.

What the devil should I say ? He could see a score of
empty cartridge shells at my feet, he had heard my incessant
f usilade, my stand was certainly one of the best on the broad,
and he knew from a former experience that if I shot at a
barn door four-and-twenty times I should not always hit
the roof. Even then, in my egoism, I would not confess

A RIVER YACHTING RESORT 169

that perhaps the bent stock was in some measure accountable
for my execrable shooting, so I smiled a kind of sickly
smile and replied, " Well, I'm not quite sure, but I'll let you
know later on." And I thought of the motto, " Bum spiro
spero."

"If it's all the same to you I would rather know now,
as I have come to take you to a different stand, where I
have anchored some decoys, and I think you will get better
sport."

For a few moments I fought within myself, and then I
said, "Well, I really don't think it's worth while wasting
time looking for any of my birds, as I don't think you will
find them. To tell you the truth, 1 don't feel altogether myself
this morning, and I don't believe I have drawn blood,
whether this (here my smile was positively awful) bent
stock has anything to do with it I don't know, but the
hideous fact remains that I have not been able to mark
down a dead bird as mine."

He was really quite distressed, and I felt for him, even
to the extent of several shillings extra tip money, which
sympathy I expressed before we parted.

At my next stand I did no better, although I had every
opportunity of retrieving my reputation. Whether the fowl
flew high or low, fast or slow, to the right or to the left, it
made no difference, and no one could possibly have been
more disgusted with the glaring exhibition I made of myself
than I was.

Then the time arrived for picking up. The decoys were
re-bagged, our friends taken on board the boat, and, with one
of us standing upon the seat in the bows, from which coign
of vantage a good survey of the reed beds could be taken,
we poled our boat through the sedges, in and out of little
bays and creeks, haunts of duck and pike, which latter we
often disturbed, and saw dart away with a rush and a swirl
of the water, in some cases sufficient to cause a slight oscilla-
tion to our frail craft.

Not the least interesting was this part of the proceedings.

i7o

BROADLAND SPORT

Pretty little teal in full winter garb lay upon the water
amongst the decaying lilies, the bright green of their
wings looking as though a spring leaf had fallen upon
them, whilst the drops of water scattered upon their
plumage glistened like diamonds in the brilliant sunshine.
Here and there lay duck and mallard, some on the sedge
tussocks, others floating on the open water, all of them
dead, with hardly a feather of their plumage ruffled. In
half - an - hour we had collected over a score, and by a
skilful cross-questioning of my friends as to the sport they

SHOOTING ROUND THE HOVERS.

had had, and by dwelling at length upon the accident to
our agricultural friend in the bog, I had diverted inquiry
concerning the extent of my share towards the bag. But
it was not a wise artifice — the truth will always out — and
had I anticipated the good-natured chaff I was certain
to receive I should have blurted out the facts when I first
met my friends, and not have allowed them to ferret them
out for themselves.

Of course, my host very generously asserted that the
blame must all be attributed to the bent stock, but this I
would never openly admit, and urged in preference that it

A RIVER YACHTING RESORT 171

must have been indigestion, or want of more cherry brandy
when sitting cramped up in the reed shelter. This latter
excuse was a glorious suggestion, for did it not "kill two
birds with one stone" as we say in England? Firstly, it
freed me (at least, so I fondly imagined) from all blame as
to my shooting. Secondly, my host was compelled, by the
laws of hospitality, to give me a second innings at that
inspiring beverage when we reached the keeper's cottage.
Trust this humble and modest sportsman for making super-
lative use of this his last and golden opportunity — at least
so far as that bottle was concerned. With my — th glass
I drank for the — th time — " Success to my host, and confusion
to wildfowl, and to all bent-stocked guns."

A THAMES PUNT FITTED FOR PICNIC-CRUISING IN BROADLAND.

JtnJ&)riHl* 1^««\„

CHAPTER XV

HORNING TO THE SOURCE OF THE BURE

Several days may be spent at Horning Ferry in sweet hours
of idleness or fishing and flighting with varying success. The
longer the stay, the more the locality seems to attract, and it
is with feelings much akin to regret that at last the sail is
hoisted and the old thatched roofs and rustling willows are
left behind.

For half a mile above the ferry the river extends in a
straight reach to Horning village. This reach is celebrated for
its good fishing swims.

Horning is an old-fashioned, out-of- the- world spot, four
miles from the nearest railway station, which in these days of
ubiquitous trippers may be regarded as a pleasing attraction.
As the quay, which runs the whole length of the village, is
neared crowds of ragged urchins await the coming in keen
expectancy, and commence chanting a strain, the words of
which run somewhat as follows : —

Ho ! John Barley Corn,

Ho ! John Barley Corn,

All day long I raise my song, to

John Barley Corn.

It is a time-honoured custom to throw pence to the
children when passing.

172

HORNING TO THE SOURCE OF THE BURE 173

Needless to add, they scramble wildly for them wherever
they may fall, whether in the puddles of dirty water on the
quay heading, or on stone heaps, or in the crevasses of piles of
timber, or in the river itself ; whilst their ranks are frequently
augmented by grown-ups, both male and female, with here
and there an aged dame.

Thrown from the various passing craft the halfpence
fly in all directions, and the eager penny hunters dig their
arms into the pools and puddles as if gold and not copper was
the object of their search.

The picturesque quaintness of this village is charming.
Rambling amongst the old houses one can study at leisure
a typical Broadland village, where the rustic maidens
blush with shame when notice is drawn to their sunburnt
faces peeping out from under the large Norfolk hoods,
which adds an almost irresistible attraction to their
charms.

If the leafy lanes wending away from the back of the
village are explored on all sides will be seen an abundance of
game. Pheasants and partridges alike sit near to the road-
ways, and are seen picking about on the stubbles. Hares hop
across the path with perfect confidence in their security. But
the shooting is most strictly preserved. A mile or so away
is Beeston Old Hall, the ancient family seat of the Preston
family, who distinguished themselves as Royalists during the
Civil Wars. The house is a gloomy stone structure standing
in an extensive park, well ornamented with magnificent old
oak trees. Round it runs a lake, said to be full of large
pike, some of them supposed to be as old as the house
itself. The shooting is exceptionally good, and consider-
ably over one thousand pheasants are shot on best days.
Once when shooting a covert adjoining Barton Broad of
this estate, the author shot at what he, in the shades
of evening, supposed to be a rat running along the top
of the bank, but which, subsequently, proved to be a
woodcock.

Closer to the village lies Oliver's Broad, a small water

i74 BROADLAND SPORT

bounded by uplands, and affording home for both fish and
fowl. Topping the small hill of upland upon which the
village stands, a grand panorama of marsh land, wood and
water, the like of which cannot be found except in East
Anglia.

The river from Horning village to Wroxham runs through
the heart of a highly-preserved game district, and keepers
are always on the alert, and concealed in the neighbourhood
of the river to keep a jealous eye against any possible poach-
ing. Many cases have been brought in the county police
courts for shooting pheasants as they crossed the river, and
although these cases have been argued, on behalf of the de-
fendants, by some of the best sporting solicitors that money
could procure, a conviction has nearly always been obtained,
and the visitor will do well to remember that he cannot with
impunity shoot game, although, at the time he kills it, it may
be over the river and fall into it. It will be better for him to
reserve his fire for water birds and allow the game to pass un-
molested. The temptation may be very great, and in some
places pheasants are very numerous, but the riparian
owners claim the soil of the river. The bench of magis-
trates is mostly composed of local landed proprietors, and the
result is generally a foregone conclusion. One of the
defences raised was amusing if not interesting.

On October 3rd, in the year 1894, the North Walsham
Petty Sessional Court House was crowded to hear a case
brought against a member of the Royal Geographical Society
and of the Savage Club, who, with his friend, endeavoured to
prove himself a sportsman in every sense of the word by
bringing in evidence their shooting experience in South Africa.
There is no need to mention names, and we trust that mature
reflection, consequent from the fines and costs inflicted, has
improved their interpretation of the word " sportsmen." These
two tried to lead the Bench to believe that they shot a cock
pheasant (out of season) in mistake for a water-crow. " They
were well acquainted with the water-crow, and had shot
hundreds ; it was much like our coot, but instead of having

HORNING TO THE SOURCE OF THE BURE 175

white on the beak it had red — there are thousands of these
birds in South Africa." But was it likely to suppose that
anyone who had travelled (presumably for sport, but perhaps
with other aims in view as well) in many countries could
possibly mistake a cock pheasant for a water-crow ? or even a
water-hen for a cock pheasant as it flew " hollering " (keepers'
expression — evidently crowing) over the river between 6 and
7 p.m. during the second week in September. In this case
the magistrates rightly convicted.

In the summer of 1891 there was a great public outcry in
East Anglia, supported by the Corporation of the City of
London and elsewhere, and mass meetings were convened in
London, Norwich, Yarmouth and Lowestoft, and an Associa-
tion was formed styling itself " The Norfolk Broads Protection
Association of London." Funds showered in from all sides,
but the result of the movement was, without doubt, a waste
of time, labour and money. The association selected a weak
case and one of the most difficult to fight that they could
possibly have chosen. It was known as the Hickling Broad
case, and (using the words of one of the speakers), " Those
who indulged in the harmless amusement of inhaling at their
leisure God's fresh air and the breeze of Heaven " are to-day
thankful to think that the objects which the association
claimed were not upheld. An appeal was attempted, but the
majority who gave their support to the movement were so
disgusted with the miserable fiasco that they would have no
more on't, and the whole thing practically ended in smoke.
That more protection is required is an admitted fact, and if
a movement could be made by which rules and regulations
could be enforced on the miles of waterway and broads, such
a system of government would be better for all parties alike.
What is really required is an Act of Parliament on all fours
with the present Thames Conservancy, but such a blessing
seems a forlorn hope.

It is a daily occurrence in Broadland to see large quantities
of fish rotting on the banks which should have either been
returned to their native element or given to poor people

176 BROADLAND SPORT

who would appreciate them. In years gone by Broadland
teemed with life, and every nook and cranny afforded shelter
to some interesting species of the fur, feather or fish tribe.
On these waterways one met with coot, grebe, water hen,
rail and wildfowl of all description, but now so many visitors
carry guns in the yachts with them, and when they can find
nothing better to shoot at, choose as their mark any living
thing that may come within range, not troubling to pick up
the dead and wounded, and birds which are not mangled or
killed during the season are driven away, to seek fresh
haunts and waters new.

Not unfrequently a yachtsman hears heavy firing
from a boat in front, and as he overhauls it he notices
large quantities of dead and dying insect-feeding birds
— such as martins or swallows — drifting past on the tide,
an object of pity, and a disgrace to the unfeeling and
unsportsmanlike shooters who so ruthlessly butcher them,
simply for the gratification of having had a living mark to
shoot at. Not unfrequently cattle are found on the marshes
injured by shot as well as by bullets. It is only surprising
to think that more serious accidents do not occur to human
beings, as it cannot be believed that anyone would shoot at,
and thus torture, dumb animals wilfully.

From the village of Horning progress is slow because the
stream is wood-bound nearly all the. way, but the scenery is
very beautiful and thoroughly recompenses for delay. In
drifting lazily, drowsily, up-stream, many pleasant recollec-
tions are brought back to the memory, and these untrammeled
hours of idleness are enjoyed to the full.

It may be again well to remind the summer visitor to
Broadland that fishing or sailing should be made the ground-
work of his amusement, shooting being more or less an
accessory. The coarse fishing, that is to say, fishing for
bream, roach or perch, is as good as can be obtained. Jack,
also, may be caught in large numbers. As a centre Horning
can be highly commended. Below the village towards
Acle the river is open to every breath of heaven ; above, the

HORNING TO THE SOURCE OF THE BURE 177

picturesque reaches wind away as far as Wroxham Broad,
which is the deepest expanse of fresh water that East Anglia
can boast. In the reach below Horning remarkably fine
perch are to be obtained, which often scale up to 3 lbs. or
4 lbs. One bright afternoon we had been sailing in the
yacht's dinghy all the morning, but the wind having died
away after lunch, it was proposed to drop gently down with
the remaining breeze and spin for jack ; one hand being told
off to sit clear of everyone with a 12-bore and to keep his
weather eye lifted for snipe or duck. We had barely cast
the lines before two patriarchal perch (one 3J lbs. the other
2 \ lbs.) were jumping and slapping about in the bottom of the
boat. A third fish would have been added but for the breeze
that momentarily freshened, and the boat, drawing rapidly
ahead, enabled him to break away from the hook, and the
annoyance was added to by seeing his great red tail and fins
gradually disappearing in the depths from which he came.

When we got back to the wherry a damsel of some
eighteen summers was creating a diversion by swarming up
the mast of a small yacht moored to the bank, and her grace-
ful evolutions were quickly transferred to the sketch-book,
but perhaps it is advisable not to reproduce that effort in
these pages.

With respect to shooting from a boat where the space is
so limited, and the operator may be subject to sudden and in-
voluntary movement, the greatest caution in handling and
laying down a gun should be observed. In fact, it will not
be going too far to declare that anyone in whom principles of
caution are absent should not be allowed, under any circum-
stances, to touch a gun in a boat. Many are the distressing
accidents which have occurred in Broadland. To record one
will be sufficient for present purposes. A young fellow was
shot in the prime of life owing to his brother having placed
the gun down so carelessly that the accidental contact of a
fishing line with the trigger lodged the whole charge in the
unfortunate victim's stomach.

Upon looking at the map it will be seen that the river

178 BROADLAND SPORT

from Horning steam mill is very tortuous, being connected on
either side with many private broads.

On Hoveton Broad, the large sheet of water on the right
hand proceeding from Horning to Wroxham, there is a colony
of black-headed gulls which breed every year regularly. This
broad is strictly preserved, but permission is occasionally
given in the winter for pike fishing. The pike fishing on this
Broad is exceptionally good, and 100 lbs. in weight is often
taken in one day. Several fish of over 20 lbs. in weight each
are generally secured here each season, fishing with rod and
line and snap tackle.

Opposite the upper end of Hoveton Broad is Salhouse
Larger Broad (also private), almost adjoining it, is Salhouse
Little Broad, which contains some splendid rudd, and as this
picturesque little lagoon forms a highway to the adjacent
farm, the fishing, nemine contradicente, is regarded as public.
At Salhouse Broad will be found an old and good farm. It is
an excellent place for visitors, quiet, secluded, and situated in
one of the most picturesque spots in Broadland. This
broad has been selected by the Royal Canoe Club as a
camping-ground. The rising ground overlooking the broad
abounds in rabbits.

Leaving Salhouse Little Broad, after passing through a few
bends of the river, Wroxham Broad is reached, the entrance
to which is on the left-hand side of the stream. This splendid
lake has rightly been termed the Queen of the Broads, owing
to its beautiful surroundings and depth of water, the lead line
showing a fathom nearly everywhere. The broad is open all
the year round for sailing, but yachts, except with special
permission, are not allowed to moor. The shooting is rigidly
preserved, but fishing may be indulged in at the cost of half-
a-crown a day per boat, which amount is collected by the
lessee, a farmer living close to the broad, at whose house com-
fortable quarters may be procured by visitors.

Wroxham Broad by water is distant from the village about
one mile, and the river winds through some charming scenery,
but, owing to the traffic between the broad and the bridge,.

HORNING TO THE SOURCE OF THE BURE 179

this part of the river is not, perhaps, so favourable to the
sportsman as the reaches lower down. In the village, within
a stone's throw of the station, and quite close to the river, are
two hostelries, the King's Head and the Horse Shoes, at both
of which the sportsman will find ample accommodation
and all the necessary requisites he may require. At the top
of the village, some twenty minutes' walk from the station,
there is also another inn, called the Castle, an old-fashioned
house with a bowling green. Rough boats for fishing may be
hired for the sum of Is. 6d. or 2s. per day, but for the better-
class rowing boats a charge of 5s. is made, and for sailing
boats 7s. 6d. to 10s. Wroxham is a very convenient spot to
make headquarters so far as railway convenience is concerned,
but for absolute quiet and rusticity it is advisable to go
further afield to Horning, Salhouse, or, further up stream,
Coltishall, a village about seven miles by water from Wroxham
but only two and a half by road and rail — it ranks as one
of the prettiest villages in Norfolk.

Above Wroxham Bridge the shooting is most strictly pre-
served, and as the neighbouring landowners claim the soil of
the river bed a shot cannot be fired without the probability
of the shooter finding himself in the police court. On the
other hand, the fishing is good. One can enjoy it free and
unhampered in most places at very little expense.

In the bend of the river, just beyond the railway bridge,
heavy baskets of roach may be taken in the summer, as the
traffic below bridge forces the fish up river, where it is quieter,
and the stream is not so much disturbed.

At Coltishall, a mile or so above Wroxham, roach and
bream fishing can always be obtained. There are two good
inns, " The White Horse " and « The Anchor," whilst comfort-
able apartments may always be found in the village. Any
amount of boats may be hired at a cheap rate, with or with-
out men to accompany them.

Proceeding up stream we come to another good station for
the angler — Buxton. Near the mills 2 lb. roach are no rarity,
and in the winter the pike fishing is excellent. There are

180 BROADLAND SPORT

however, no boats to be hired near enough for day anglers,
although permission to fish from the banks is rarely refused.
Still further up the river, beyond Aylsham, the fishing is
private and preserved, and the necessary permit is more diffi-
cult to obtain than the sport merits.

Whilst exploring the upper tributaries of the Bure one of
our party introduced us to a Broadland Trilby, whose charms
and winning graces took the whole ship by storm.

In years gone by, when the dormant spark of sporting
instinct within his breast was being fanned into a tiny flame
by an early contact with birds, beasts and fishes, so oft
encountered in his lonely ramblings, he had one day met
this Diana of the marshes. With a fellow-feeling upper-
most in both their minds, what was more natural than that
such a casual acquaintance should lead to a closer friendship,
which the difference in their sex, at that youthful and
romantic age, soon ripened into una vowed affection.

As the years rolled on their secret meetings (so he told
us) became more seldom and more wide and wide apart, and
when he was sent away to school he almost lost sight of
his pretty-faced little sweetheart-poacher. Not that it is
wished to insinuate for a moment that she poached anything
for herself, her kith or kin, but rather that she, by her
superior marsh-craft, assisted him in a manner he could
never have learnt for himself, whilst she at the same time
gained his boyish respect, his admiration, and became the
heroine of his " calf love."

For many years he had not seen her, but she apparently
had not the while forgotten him, and when chance once more
led him to the neighbourhood of her humble abode no time
was lost by him in reseeking the cottage door to pay a call
and to renew an old-time acquaintance. That call awakened
sweet memories which formed many a happy reverie in
his day-dreams — at least, so he confessed. She appeared as
fresh, as unaffected, and as charming as of yore, although
time had worked many changes to external appearances.
The curiosity of our whole crew was naturally aroused and

HORNING TO THE SOURCE OF THE BURE 181

we were equally desirous to become better acquainted with
the maid in question. After much persuasion he took us
to her marshland home in a body. We went, we saw, and
we were conquered. On the excuse of its being a good
fishing neighbourhood we instantly and unanimously agreed
to stay for several days in the reaches adjoining this stretch
of marshland which found her and hers with an occupation
and an honest livelihood. Every morning a visit was made
to her small dairy, and we vied with each other in amusing
rivalry by purchasing all we could, whether we had use
for it or not.

She was always the same and her good-natured chaff
kept us in excellent spirits, however irritably any of
us might have arisen from his respective berth ; but when
the conversation between her and our friend turned to days
gone bye there was a touch of sadness in her tone which,
having regard to their removed positions in life, was
dangerous, for the mutual happiness of both, to encourage.
He avowed that he found her as she had ever been, happy,
contented and prosperous. With such a disposition she was
indeed fortunate. Let it be hoped she may thus ever be
blessed.

A Broadland Trilby

Milk oh ! M-i-e-1-k o-e-o-h No, it is not the Trilby this
time : we are far away from the Latin quarter of gay Paris,
and far away from the rumble and the roar of the
Haymarket ; we are coiled in our blankets in the snug and
cosy cabin of the Warrior.

The sun is rising high above the horizon, chasing the
dews from the grass and the marsh mist from the sedges,
weeds and herbage of Broadland. We, lazy idlers that we
are, have not yet had our morning dip, and the Trilby voice
that calls us back from dreamland comes from "Molly," the
marshman's daughter. She noticed our drawn curtains as
she passed along the river wall, on her way to the cowshed ;
she has stolen a march upon us and brought our measure

182 BROADLAND SPORT

of milk to the gangway. Had she waited for us, on the
morning in question, to come to the shed, as had been our
custom, she would have wasted many valuable hours. We
are late Jsleepers ; we had travelled far the day previously,
when the wind had been adverse to our progress ; we had
had much recourse both to the quant and to forcible
language, and we had one and all determined ere we turned
in, long after midnight, to take it out on this the following
morning. But "Molly" we had not bargained for. It is
true we should hardly have breakfasted without visiting
her dairy for a supply of fresh butter, eggs, milk, cream
and such dainties as we could purchase, but we had not
reckoned on her visiting us. She, on the other hand, had not
reckoned on our plans for deep slumber, and, as she ex-
plained to us in her own sweet, charming manner, " She
thought as how she would spare us the journey through
the wet grass, and catch us all at home together like at the
same time."

Few minutes tick from the cabin clock ere our entire
crew are seated on the hatches near the stern sheets,
laughing and chatting with Molly. Our costumes are
conspicuous for the variety of cut, cloth and colour which
they exhibit ; but Molly is not one of those who are easily
shocked, nor is she particular to clothes so long as the heart
beneath is true and honest. She ridicules the maxim, " Fine
feathers make fine birds," and well she seems to know our
eccentricities, as she already does our weakness for mush-
rooms and fruit. This morning she has anticipated our
longings, and a fine well-filled basket makes our breakfast-
table look appetising enough for royalty.

In our gratitude, added to a selfish feeling to retain her
companionship the longer, we press her to stay and partake
of dejellner a la fourchette. But no, Molly always re-
membered her duty, and she, laughing, leaves us to prepare
our own meal whilst she goes home.

No sooner has she left than one by one we silently and
sorrowfully crawl back to our blankets, each to enjoy his

HORNING TO THE SOURCE OF THE BURE 183

own reverie of the bright, bonny little English maiden whom
we so recently held in converse, and whom we individually
and collectively so much admire and respect.

There cannot have been much variety in our dreams, but
let those mind-pictures which soothed our friend (who had
known her years ago) be followed in preference to others.

With half-closed eyes and senses but hovering on the
borderland of unconsciousness he wandered back to boyhood
with the lithe figure of Molly ever present in the pictures of
his fancy — reflections of fact rather than of fiction.

He sees himself, at the early age of ten or a dozen years,
crouching in an osier-bed beside the hundred-drain, bending a
yielding willow wand of overgrown proportions down in a
bow over the well-beaten path of a hare, he is setting the
deadly noose with a practised hand, and twining grasses
round the suspicious-looking portions of the poaching
apparatus, when he receives a sudden fright. He is conscious
that he is not alone. With the perspiration starting from his
forehead he gazes round with frightened stare, and sees
peering from the parted reeds of a grown - up dyke the
laughing eyes, the sunburnt face, the cherry lips, and the
curly locks of little Molly. " Now spring that snare, Master

, or I'll tell " (naming a keeper, whom he held in

wholesome dread). " No, you won't get over me this time
by wheedling; spring that snare and kick up the stakes."
"But, Molly," he expostulates. It is no use, Molly comes
from her lair and springs the snare herself. "It's all very
well for you, you know," she says ; " if you would only say
you snared them, but you know you don't, and when the
snares are found other people may be blamed, and it's not
right." Whether he encircled that lithe waist and dried the
teardrops on that tempting cheek, in order to console the
woe of Molly on learning that there were other snares in
the osier-bed, the whereabouts of which he refused to disclose,
and the proposed destruction of which he would not listen
to, cannot be recorded, as the picture of wandering con-
templation changes suddenly.

1 84 BROADLAND SPORT

He sees himself in the interior of an old ruined watermil],
taking shelter from a storm of wind and rain, accompanied
by lightning and thunder. Seated on the ground beside
him is a retriever, and as he gazes upon its curly coat and
hazel eyes its shape gradually changes, and again he sees
that Molly is with him. The storm lifts as suddenly as it had
begun, and he emerges into the bright sunshine, which makes
the raindrops on the reed stems sparkle like diamonds. Hand-
in-hand they stand on the river bank and gaze at the retreat-
ing storm, whilst a perfect rainbow, tending to send thoughts
Scripture wards by its dazzling colours, is brought the more
into prominence by the heavy leaden hues of the angry-
looking clouds beyond.

He suggests the fish should be well on the feed after such a
storm. Molly shakes her pretty curls and inquires what kind
of fish he would endeavour to lure from their natural element.

Roach, dace, bream ? " Ah ! they may be all very well to
catch," says Molly, " but give me pike, perch and eels : they
are better to eat and are more marketable." Yes, Molly, even in
her earliest days, seems always to have had an eye to the
larder. Lying down at full length on the wet board flooring
over the mill sluice, she peers far down into the clear depths
below : she does not require to shade her eyes, her hair does
that for her; long she gazes, and then she produces from
somewhere hooks and string. Molly always seemed to carry
these. With a stick she grubbs about in a neighbouring patch
of ground which once had been cultivated, but which has for
years been allowed to run wild, and is now tenanted by weeds
and a stray currant bush or so. Here she finds what she re-
quires— worms, and in a few minutes she is once more hang-
ing her head over the rotten flooring of the sluice. He joins
her, and when his eyes become accustomed to the light he can
see numerous little heads peeping from holes in the mud,
chinks in the walls, and round posts, indicating that goodly
eels must be lurking there — perhaps this is the Blue Beard's
chamber of eel-land. Molly had tried the game before; she
knew which were the best holes to try near ; the artful way

HORNING TO THE SOURCE OF THE BURE 185

in which she allows the scriggling worm to drift with the
sluggish tide, not over the hole, but just near enough to
tempt its occupant, is interesting in the extreme to an onlooker,
more especially to one whose soul is full to overflowing with
a lurking desire for sport of any kind. One after another
does Molly lure forth those slimy lurkers in the mud-holes
until there is a goodly array upon the bank. How she held
them and extracted the hooks was always a mystery. It
looked so easy, so simple, so quick, and yet when attempted
by a novice insurmountable difficulties seem to invariably
arise. But the scene changes.

Now she is quietly pacing beside a main drain which leads
to the mill. Her sharp little eyes do not leave a yard unex-
plored ; soon she halts, beckons him to her side, and points
quietly to a sheltered nook where several dykes intersect the
marshland. He looks, he sees nothing — naught but the water-
lilies and the sedges. Looking more into the shadows, as
directed, and straining his eyes the harder, he becomes aware
of an inanimate log-like form lying near the bank in a cool
bower of water-lilies, where the sun is unable to penetrate,
and where what little stream there is eddies round. He does
not require to be told that it is a pike, but at that early age
he does require to be told how to catch it.

It is Molly who gives the first lesson in snaring. A boot-
lace and a broken oar are the implements used, and yet with
this ungainly gear she has landed the fish he would never
have seen, a 5 \ lb. jack, upon the bank in less than five minutes
from her first discovery.

Suchlike and similar scenes flash before him. With Molly
as his companion he finds the best runs and the best swims
anywhere within five miles of her home. She knows to a
minute when the tide will turn, when the fish will be on the
feed, and what is the best bait to use. She is the recognised
authority ; she is reverenced accordingly.

He sees himself at flight time, as the mist rises from the
marshes, shrouding in an impenetrable veil all objects on his
own level, but which does not prevent him discerning wild-

1 86 BROADLAND SPORT

fowl that pass overhead within shot ; or crouching, for what
poor shelter a marsh gateway can give against a howling
blast, waiting and waiting with a certain knowledge that he
will be successful in obtaining shots, because Molly has
stationed him and she knows the flight of the fowl.

He sees himself threading treacherous rotten swamps,
steering from point to point, and at every point being
successful in gaining a shot at snipe, all under Molly's
direction.

He sees himself again in her company, gathering plovers
and redshanks' eggs, which she can find with ease, but at
which he is comparatively blind. She it is who can tell by
the flight of the birds not only where the nest is situated, but
also the number of eggs it contains, and whether they are
fresh or sat upon.

He sees himself gathering mushrooms upon the marshes in
quantities, more than enough to satisfy his wants, whilst his
guide, philosopher and friend is hard by.

In his early sporting days this Amazon princess of the
marshes was a friend worth knowing ; there Molly, a modern
Trilby, domineered as the Svengali of his existence.

He sees himself later, after years have passed over his head,
revisiting the old haunts, as summer comes round, and taking
it easy in his own lackadaisical kind of way ; and as he
welcomes the marshman's daughter he does so as an old friend,
and feels that it is but yesterday that he exchanged confidences
in the osier-bed, although Fate has ordained that his path in
life shall lie in a diverse direction to hers.

Half awake and half asleep, he hears the lap of the wave-
lets against the freeboard of the wherry, and lulled by the
soothing sound he dreams on and sees Molly, now in all the
glory of womanhood, beloved as of yore by all who know her,
and looked up to with the deepest affection by a younger
generation of brothers and sisters, who worship the very
ground she walks upon. And well they may, for who but
Molly, his sporting little Molly of days gone by, could tend
them with such care and see to their creature comforts in the

HORNING TO THE SOURCE OF THE BURE 187

manner that she does ? Who could take her place in that
happy, bright, but small homestead, under the lea of the
marsh wall, and who but she could get through the varied and
strenuous labours of the day which she betakes upon herself.

As his senses sink deeper into oblivion he sees her courted
and wedded to a man after her own heart, with little counter-
parts of her own sweet self surrounding her, and as the years
roll on he sees her sitting over her own fireside, with grand-
children prattling at her knee, while she is amusing them
with the tale of how she first initiated her little gentleman
lover into the intricate mysteries of successfully hunting fowl,
and taking fish on the lonely stretches of the marshland, and
how they plighted their troth in the damp recesses of an osier-
bed, which, although he may have forgotten, she never will
nor can.

Thus does he dream. Ah well, let him dream on, for —

If we but dream, and
waking may give pain,

Oh, do not wake, but let
us dream again."

CHAPTER XVI

HICKLING DISTRICT

The reader will doubtless remember men-
tion having been previously made of the
River Thurne, better known in the locality
as the Hundred Stream.* This river, at
one time, formed direct communication
with the sea near Horsey Gap, but its
waters now run away at Great Yarmouth.
From a sporting point of view a visit to
this locality will be found far more to
one's taste than to the other rivers named.
The rands generally hold snipe, the reed
beds waterfowl, and the amount of birds
daily to be seen on the wing causes " hope
to spring eternal in the sportsman's breast,"
although perhaps his bag may not be a
heavy one.

The rands from Thurnemouth to the
entrance to Womack Broad, especially in
the month of November, are favourite grounds for snipe,
but the fishing is poor.

Womack Broad has little of interest except to the artist
or the botanist, and the river from this point to Potter
Heigham Bridge is narrow and more like a canal. The
water in the river is very shallow, and a boat drawing more

* This name is very common in Broadland . No doubt it arises from the old
BaroDial divisions of a county, when a Hundred was supposed to contain one
hundred families or freemen.

1 88

NAVIGATING THE SHALLOWS.

H1CKLING DISTRICT 189

than three feet may at times have to wait for higher water
before navigation can be continued.

At Potter Heigham boats may be hired. About half a
mile from the bridge is the " Falgate Inn," where there is
good accommodation, although it is some distance from the
river. Its signboard is sure to attract the visitor's attention.
It consists of a small gate hanging over the door, upon which
is inscribed the following verse : —

"This gate hang high,

But hinder non :
Eefresh and pay,

And travel on.;'

Near the bridge is another good hotel, " The Waterman's
Arms," quite recently rebuilt in an up-to-date style, and fitted
with most requirements. The further we proceed, the
narrower does the river become. About a mile beyond Potter
Heigham Bridge is a small dyke to the left, which is the
entrance to Heigham Sounds, formerly one of the best
waters in Broadland for fish and fowl. Pike have been
taken there between 30 lbs. and 50 lbs. in weight, and wildfowl
have been seen in bunches of thousands at a time. There is
a certain variety of water grass of which pochards are
particularly fond, which used to grow on Heigham Sounds,
and was very attractive to these fowl, but of late they have
failed to put in an appearance, except in comparatively small
quantities, which is more probably accounted for by the in-
crease of visitors to these waters than by the scarcity of
food.

Beyond Heigham Sounds we pass through another narrow
dyke, and immediately emerge upon Hickling Broad. This
Broad is the most interesting in the Eastern counties to the
naturalist, the fisherman and the sportsman. In extent it
ranges between 400 and 500 acres, but in depth it does
not average three feet, although a deeper channel has been
kept open across its centre to Hickling Staithe on the
north end of the broad, marked by a range of posts, without

i9o BROADLAND SPORT

which it would be impossible for a stranger to reach the
staithe unless he had the assistance of a pilot. There are
one or two small islands in the broad upon which wildfowl
love to plume themselves. The fishing is good provided
one can find the right swims, a great improbability without
local assistance. Boats may be obtained at about one shilling
per day. The shooting is preserved, although it is nothing
like so good as it used to be ; still, fowl of all varieties may
be daily seen.

The annual coot shoot at Hickling was an event eagerly
looked forward to by everyone who owned a gun within
ten miles. The slaughter was great and the shooting wild,
reckless and dangerous. To give a brief outline, the shooters
are divided into two parties, those on the land and those on
the water ; those on the land choose a certain bay or part of
the broad which they surround, whilst those on the water
form the boats in well-organised lines and drive the birds
towards the bay. When the birds are encircled the shooters
take no pains to conceal themselves, and the birds, finding
themselves hemmed in on all sides, and realising the trap into
which they have fallen, take to wing and escape as best they
can, by running the gauntlet through the hottest of hot
serenades. The numbers of the slain are counted by
hundreds, but of late years the custom of holding public
shoots has been discontinued, or, when it has been
arranged, it has been kept so secret that only those living
in the immediate neighbourhood have been able to partici-
pate in it.

Before the Norfolk and Suffolk Fisheries Act * came into
force the pike at Hickling were netted and the number of fish
then taken seems to us now as incredible, whereas considering
how the fish have been preserved during the past ten years,
one might almost be inclined to think the water was in-
sufficient to hold them.

Had the Broads Protection Society of London won their
case concerning the public rights on Hickling Broad, the

* See Appendix.

H1CKLING DISTRICT 191

shooting and fishing on this water, as well as other broads in
East Anglia, would have been free to all comers, as they doubt-
less were some years ago.

Going back only twenty years, we find there were very
few villages in Broadland that did not possess several profes-
sional sportsmen who derived their living from the fish and
fowl they obtained with their nets and guns, but now one
rarely meets with one of these old -day sportsmen ; in fact, it is
doubtful if there exists a man in Broadland who obtains his
living solely by this means.

For small boats Hickling Broad is a beautiful; sailing
ground, although it is not patronised so much as one would
think, A very amusing incident happened during a recent
regatta. It was blowing a stiff breeze at the time, and
one of the small balanced lug-sail boats upset, throwing its
occupants into the water. Before the crew could recover
themselves the boat drifted away beyond their reach, and they
were left standing on a hard bottom up to their
armpits in water. As they were unable to swim they did
not feel inclined to follow their boat, but were content to re-
main on terra firma until rescued by another boat.

In the winter time this broad is one of the first to freeze
and excellent skating is afforded. Not only is ordinary skat-
ing indulged in, but a square sail, about six feet by three feet, is
brought into use, with the assistance of which the skater can
navigate the broad with remarkable ease. Should a breeze be
blowing he will in all probability travel at a greater speed than
he desires, but it is excellent sport, and well worthy of a trial.

Ice boats, too, find favour at Hickling, where there is
ample scope to indulge in the exciting sport of ice yachting.
November is the month for snipe, and the shooting round
Hickling Broad is always good. Some of the largest bags of
snipe in Norfolk have been obtained here.

To moor to one of the small islands before mentioned and
explore the many bays and ramifications of this water, to
visit the village, neighbouring local celebrities and places of
interest, is well worthy of the time expended.

192 BROADLAND SPORT

Now and again these visits will be returned and many
a shout of laughter with revelry by night will break the
usual stillness around, disturb the waterfowl in their
nocturnal repast, and astonish the peaceful water-voles
which may have taken up a summer residence upon the
islands.

Whenever it was our good fortune to be able to entice any
of the local residents on board the Warrior, after they had
been entertained with the best on board the conversation was
certain to lead up to local anecdote, strange experiences and
queer reminiscences, in the hope that the visitor or visitors
would unfold some of their own. In fact, our crew per-
sistently plotted, by cunningly-devised stratagem, to
endeavour to "trot our visitors out," so to speak — and it
seldom failed.

One night when the stars were twinkling over the wastes
of Hickling Water, and not a breath stirred the slender reed
stems, the crew were reclining on the hatchway-deck taking
coffee after dinner, at which a local divine, whose keenness for
sport was only equalled by his love for old port and Havannah
cigars, had been entertained. He was a real good sporting
parson, one of those whom everyone would respect and be
only too proud to remember. There were many such to be
found in the precincts of Broadland in years gone by, but
nowadays they seem to be few and far between.

We had laughed immoderately at dinner over his tales, his
anecdotes, and his illustrations of " broad Norfolk dialect " ;
now that we were in the presence of the beauty of the night
we were inclined to be indolent and romantic. But the
reverend gentleman was one of those who are quite irre-
pressible. " By Jove," he exclaimed after a silence of some
minutes, " why, you are moored at the exact spot where poor
Tom found out to his cost that a water-kennel could not be
looked upon as a gigantic success."

Naturally he was questioned further on such a remark,
and after making himself comfortable against the sail of the
wherry he proceeded to spin the following yarn : —

HICKLING DISTRICT 193

Ratting at a Water-Kennel, or a Night with a
Drunkard

It was in the fifties ; the winter sun was sinking to rest
behind the low stretch of reed-covered swamps which formed
our horizon, flooding the heavens with a crimson glow and
beautifying Nature in a manner that would have tantalised
the landscape painter beyond comprehension. The surface of
the vast expanse of water which covered Hickling Broad was
as smooth as a sheet of plate glass, and undisturbed except
where broken by a rising fish or a dipping bird.

We were reclining in the stern sheets of the ; she was

a comfortable house-boat, although rough and ready in her
construction. Built of good oak timbers, clinched with copper
fastenings, she had weathered many a gale at sea, where she
had formerly done duty as a lifeboat. But a cabin had been
added, with other doubtful improvements, and she formed
the winter residence of a sporting Bohemian of eccentric and
intemperate habits.

Poor Tom ! He has long since joined the great majority.
His was a short, sad existence, and all foresaw too plainly
how the end would be ; but he did good in a way, although
he would never admit it, and he was very annoyed when it
was brought home to him.

He was one of those " who do good by stealth and blush
to find it fame."

In Broadland we see many like Tom . They visit us

periodically, as butterflies, here to-day, and gone to-morrow ;
they rarely last three seasons, and considering the pace they
go, it is wonderful they can hold out as long as they do.

His fortune might have been anything from £15,000 to
£30,000. The actual amount mattered little to him, he lived
on the capital, disregarding the interest. Everyone who was
poor and needy, or out of luck, was welcome to come ; they all
met with a kind reception, and they would not go away empty
handed.

One of the last fads of his short life was shooting, and he

i94 BROADLAND SPORT

had hired the rights to shoot as far as the eye can reach
from here (by daylight, of course), and in order that he might
live on the spot he had an extraordinary house-boat especially
built for his own accommodation. She was fairly comfort-
able, but her owner had evinced a sudden craze for dogs — the
log-book registered no less than seven of them — which with
the skipper, a man, a boy, and myself (a guest), formed the
full complement of the crew.

I can remember the particular night to which I refer as
though it were but yesterday evening. We were moored on
the identical spot that we now are, but then it was wilder and
perhaps more picturesque. The house-boat lay half in the
reeds and half out, whilst a plankway, similar to the one you
have, led onto the island, which, as you see, is small and compact.

Around us in all directions whistled wild birds of every
description, but on such an evening flighting was out of the
question, nor could we have approached any fowl in our
punt had they pitched upon the glassy surface of the water
near enough to us.

Silently I sat and smoked, and watched my friend as the
liquor mounted to his head and he passed though the varying
stages of inebriation. Hours had I lectured him upon the
madness of his infatuation for the bottle. It was useless. He
was of age, his own master, and argument only made him
the more stubborn and wilful in his manner, and deepened
the draught of his all-too-frequent potations.

He had risen from his berth about 2 p.m., and breakfasted
upon a whisky-and-soda, with part of a sea-biscuit .and a salt
herring. For half an hour he had been, as he said, very
seedy and in need of a pick-me-up, which meant several
more whiskies-and-sodas ; this brought him to the merry
stage. At half-past three he expressed a desire for a little
excitement, and as no shooting was to be had on account of
the weather, he rowed to Hickling Staithc to endeavour to
purchase some rats to which he wanted to break his dogs.
In procuring any live rats he failed, but he returned with
a boatload of rat-traps, which he insisted in setting all over

HICKLING DISTRICT 195

the island, well baited with various luxuries from our larder.
His idea was that if he could get a rat alive we could
have great fun with several of the younger dogs. I failed
to see the force of the joke, and so expressed myself, but
he beseeched me to have patience and I should not be dis-
appointed. Little did I anticipate what was in store for me.

The sun sank to rest without a rat being caught, and our
host in the cabin had progressed from the merry to the
argumentative, thence to the hostile, and now to the maudlin
and drowsy state; he hardly knew the water from the
whisky bottle, and swearing to himself he crawled into his
berth to sleep himself sufficiently sober to begin another
carouse. I smoked a last pipe on deck listening to the water-
birds and watching the reflection of the stars upon the broad
before I sought my own berth, and was lulled to sleep by
the rustling reeds, which a slight breeze from the sea had
set in motion.

" Sir, wake up, there is a rat in the trap," said John, the ,
waterman, who was bo'sun's mate and bo'sun combined, and
who was acting upon his overnight instructions. " There's a
whater — rapping — -on the — strap — where, when, which, who,
what's matter — "

" There's a rat in the trap, sir ; " and he shook the skipper
again and again. "Oh, is there?" and half asleep, half
awake, he tumbled out of his berth, wildly halloaing his seven
dogs from all parts of the ship where they had stowed them-
selves away as best they could, and scrambling up the com-
panion ladder in a short and airy robe de chambre, he toed the
plankway for the shore. Not having slept off all the fumes
from his overnight carouse, he was much too unsteady to suc-
cessfully negotiate the single plank, and a mighty splash, ac-
companied with a big, far-sounding exclamation, broke the
silent echoes of the night, whilst the dogs barked and whined,
and John, the boy and myself hurried to the rescue.

The cold water acted as a partial steadier to my friend, and
as he crawled out from the reeds he inquired the whereabouts
of the rat. Its squeals soon located it, and once more the

196 BROADLAND SPORT

dogs were cheered on to the death. But it was not to be an
uneventful one.

Tom, dripping with water, mud and weeds, whilst search-
ing in the grass, aided only by the light of the stars, inad-
vertently placed his naked toes into an unsprung trap,
which instantly closed on them, and immediately "the air
went blue for miles." Six of the dogs, worked up to a
pitch of no little excitement, had followed their master, some
into the water, some on to the land, and two of them were
likewise caught in the halo of traps with which the island
was bedecked, and these unhappy canines added their doleful
music to the general uproar.

John, as is usual with almost all Broadland watermen,
instead of going to his master's assistance made tracks to
secure the quarry, and I saw his outline fumbling about in
the grass after the rat, utterly regardless of the misery around
him. In the dark he put his hand on to the vicious rodent
before he saw it. Naturally it bit him, and he in his rage
made a blind stroke at it with a stretcher, in order to retaliate
and to do it to death, which he believed to be the object in
view. But, unluckily for him, a retriever was standing by
looking on, and John hit the retriever instead of the rat.
Poor John ! he got some more teeth marks in a part of his
body which politeness forbids me to name.

All this time my skipper was swearing at everybody and
everything, and to make matters worse, after he had extracted
himself from the trap, he attempted to release one of his
favourite dogs, bidding the boy to do a similar act of kindness
to another.

Before I could interfere both the master and the boy were
badly bitten by the dogs, who were goaded almost to madness
by the pain they suffered, and a fresh outburst of agony rent
the air.

Had a native heard it in the distance, and I will vouchsafe
to say that anyone could have done so two miles away at
least, he would have thought that some of the inmates of
Bedlam were loose, or that murder was being committed.

BICKL1NG DISTRICT 197

Callous though it may seem, I was unable to repress my
mirth, and, indeed, there was some excuse for me as it was one
of the most comical spectacles that the human brain can imagine.

The climax was reached when I assisted my wounded
skipper on board and into the cabin, and when he realised
the fact that the puppy (number seven), either from fear,
or urgent necessity, had converted his best slippers into a
temporary night convenience.

Much as he loved his dogs, he was bound to admit that to
form a kennel on board a small houseboat was a mistake ;
there was a place for everything, and everything should be in
its place, which rule especially applied to the whisky bottle.
Muttering anathemas against the so-called joys of living, he
reached out an unsteady hand to grasp it, and soon his woes
were forgotten in the delirium of an over-heated brain.

Two hours later we carried him to his berth, raving at
imaginary snakes and scorpions crawling everywhere, at dogs
which mocked him with fiery eyes and lolling tongues and
refused to touch the rats which he believed were sucking his
very heart's blood from him.
********

I will draw a veil over the scene that followed, it was
an awful night, one not likely to . be forgotten for the re-
mainder of my life.

CHAPTER XVII

HORSEY DISTRICT

From Hickling Broad there
is a good excursion to Horsey
Mere in the dinghy. A course
must be steered over Heig-
ham Sounds and up the
narrow and shallow dyke
which connects the two
stretches of water.

Horsey Mere was at one time cele-
brated for pike, but is now so over-
grown with weeds that the fishing has
become almost a dead letter. Shooting
was also good, but at the present day
it has fallen off wonderfully on account
of the number of boats which go back-
wards and forwards, and little or
nothing is to be obtained.

There is a small cut to the north of

the mere, which runs to Sea Palling and

Lessingham, past Calthorpe Broad, but

this district is only of interest to the

botanist or to the seeker after moths

and butterflies.

Another small dyke leads from Horsey Mere back to the

River Thurne, touching the river close to the entrance to Mar-

tham Broad; a private water, the fishing on which is not

very good, and the same may be said of the shooting.

On Heigham Sounds, and in the neighbourhood of Hickling,

198

A DAB-CHICK

(Mergus Minor).

HORSE Y DISTRICT 1 99

some very good perch may be caught ; in fact, Hickling Broad
and Heijrham Sounds hold an enormous amount of coarse
fish of all descriptions, and good sport is certain if only the
right places can be found. The district is also celebrated for
rare birds, but as those who shoot them are seldom well
versed in ornithology, many valuable specimens are lost and
never heard of.

There is a wildness attached to this neighbourhood which
is most attractive. On either hand, as far as the eye can see,
a vast expanse of water, swamp and marshland stretches away
into the distance ; to the north a range of white-capped sand-
hills shuts out the German Ocean from the marshland, and
if these sand-hills are visited, and the visitor climbs to the
summit of one of them, he will wonder why the gales do not
break down the thin barrier and flood the whole of the sur-
rounding country. Most of the land is out of cultivation, or
is cultivated so badly that one is unable to distinguish whether
an attempt has been made to till it or not, but it affords some
excellent rough shooting for those whose tastes lie in that
direction. Quarters can be obtained in the villages with
little or no difficulty. A large acreage should be hired, the
rental of which is not great, but the shooter must have plenty
of time on his hands, as big bags cannot be obtained without
hard work and plenty of it.

The shooting round the wilds of Hickling Broad is
fascinating in that it is so different to any other shooting which
one is accustomed to. To give some idea of the sport obtained,
the following extract has been taken from a diary of the
author's.

" Starting early in the morning from an old-world village
in the Flegg district, where the only building worthy of note
was the church, which, like many other churches thereabouts,
was dedicated to the Virgin Saint (it was decorated and
fitted up in a manner far beyond the requirements of the
district, having also a large tower and well-hung belfry).
we cross the churchyard, hunting on our way the rank herbage

2oo BROADLAND SPORT

and nettles, overgrowing many a rustic grave, in search of
game.

"The churchyards in Norfolk seem to be the favourite
resorts for game of all description, and are rarely drawn
blank. Many a dozen rabbits have been shot standing on
the graves of ancestors and turning over the bunnies as they
dodge in and out of the grassy mounds and as they round
the corners of the tombstones, being bolted by ferrets; but
on this occasion we were tramping uncertain ground, accom-
panied by a spaniel and a retriever.

" The visit to the churchyard in question was not unpro-
ductive, for a cock pheasant and two rabbits were obtained
before leaving its sacred precincts.

"Negotiating a broken-down hedge which divided the
churchyard from a thickly-cropped clover ley, ' we spread
ourselves out together there ' — to use a Norfolk colloquialism
— and take all before us en route for the marshes.

" The leaves of the grass are wet with the rapidly-thawing
rime of last night's frost, which the rays of the rising sun is fast
dissolving, and it is too early yet for the birds to have taken
refuge in the cover of the roots. Several coveys rise just
out of gunshot, but four English birds squat on seeing us
approach, and when flushed present an easy target ; three of
them fall to the four shots whilst a hare is bagged almost
immediately afterwards.

"Three stubbles lying between us and the marshes we
carefully walk, and whilst so engaged are successful in
downing two brace of birds with another rabbit, at the
same time we drive all before us in the direction we are
going.

"Where the uplands join the marshland, being separated
by a grown-up dyke, a long tract of osier bed had been
planted, and through this we sent the beaters, doubling it
ourselves. For 150 yards we walk without seeing life of
any kind, then a hare is observed stealing away far in front.
Whilst attention is thus drawn, another hare, which breaks
cover behind, is almost lost ; had it not been for the dogs

HORSE Y DISTRICT 201

puss would certainly have escaped, but she is added to the
bag and the beaters proceed.

" At the far end of the osiers flourished a nice clump of
trees with good undergrowth ; surrounding it as best we can
we send in the beaters and dogs. The sport this covert
affords is excellent while it lasts, but is over all too soon. On
counting up the spoil we find we have added two and a half
brace of pheasants, three hares and four rabbits to the bag.

" Having carefully concealed the game in the osier bed,
and covered it over with sticks and stones, we start to beat
the marshes, a long stretch of which lie before us as far as
the eye can see.

" These marshes are what are commonly known in Norfolk
as litter marshes. They are favoured by game and water-
fowl, and the shooting they afford is very pretty. In extent
they average about five or six acres each, more or less. On
all sides they are bounded by deep dykes, the bottoms of
which seem unfathomable, and they are intersected throughout
by smaller drains. In the district where we were shooting
the drainage at the time was anything but good, and the
marshes were mostly flooded. Some were completely covered
by water, others had large pools standing on them here and
there, whilst all the dykes were full to the overflowing.

" Walking the first marsh down wind (the best way for
snipe), we bag a leash of birds, a hare and two snipe, one
of which is a jack. This is a good beginning, and we can
hardly expect to keep up such an average.

" When about midway over the marshes we came to a
patch which looked bare because there were no rush clumps
for some ten or fifteen yards, and that portion of the marsh,
comparatively speaking, was as smooth as the putting-green
on a golf link. Our friend startled a hare from the rushes,
which dodged in and out the clumps in such a manner
that he could not get a satisfactory shot at her. As she
crossed this open space she flushed a jack snipe, and with
a smartness which met with warm approbation he very
neatly killed both of them by an almost simultaneously-fired

202 BROADLAND SPORT

right and left, both the bird and the hare falling together
within a yard of each other,

" On going to pick up the game, a picture worthy of the
brush of Landseer, unfolded itself before us. The warm
colouring of fur and feather was shown up prominently
against a background of green swarth, and the still deeper
verdure of the rush clumps beyond. The retriever (in whom
there must have been a dash of setter blood) stood to point,
his reflection mirrored on the calm surface of a pool of water
on the marsh, whilst the sun's rays gave light and shade
to complete the beauty of the group.

" The next three marshes we visited were almost exactly
similar to the first, with the exception that they were devoid
of game. The long rushes grew as high as our knees, in some
places so thick that we could with difficulty force a way
through them. In other places there were large pools of water
which we had to circumvent or else wade through, whilst
twice, on arriving at the end of a marsh, our steps had to be
retraced about a quarter of a mile before we could get round
the boundary dykes.

" There is little difference in these marshes, and a descrip-
tion of others will cause repetition. The game found
consisted of an occasional hare, a few snipe and here and
there a covey of birds, whilst many of them were drawn
blank. The sport was as uncertain as it was attractive, for
we never knew what target would next be offered.

" Birds which are very rare in most counties in England are
not infrequently met with here, and the most curious rights
and lefts are recorded by local gunners, which inquiry on
the spot will soon elicit. Amongst them may be included
stork, bittern, pheasant, partridges, and all specie of wildfowl
— avocet, ruff's, reeves, etc. Ground game, too, find their
way to these marshes, but the exceptional height of the
water on the day in question had driven them back to the
uplands.

" We are now a mile or more from the osier beds before
referred to, and we find the farmer has been cultivating

HORSE Y DISTRICT 203

some of the marshes, let us hope to his advantage. Coming
to a bean stubble in close proximity to a barley stubble,
upon both of which part of the crop has been left, pre-
sumably because it was not worth garnering, we take
advantage of the neglect, as it is more than probable it
affords cover to birds, although not protection.

" We carefully walk both the stubbles, and add to the bag
considerably by so doing, picking up in all three hares and
seven partridges. Several more marshes had been ploughed,
but here we find nothing except one or two snipe, which
spring from the bare land a hundred yards or more away.

" Now we arrive at an oasis upon this desert of marshland
— a small clump of trees, covering in all about a quarter of
an acre, with a scant undergrowth of elder bushes and
nettles. We do not expect to find much here, but at the
same time we brush it with great care, although we only add
one wood - pigeon and a water - hen to the bag by the
effort.

" Next we cross several fine marshes, which give better
pasture than any we have yet visited. They are unpro-
ductive of game, and for nearly an hour we do not get the
opportunity of firing a single shot.

" Leaving the marshes we come to a stretch of osier beds
and swamps, overgrown with tall rushes, reeds and water-
weeds lying near to the River Thurne. Posting ourselves at
opportune stands for commanding the most likely places
that game may break cover from, we give our canine
companions full liberty to hunt at their pleasure. Whilst
thus posted, and intently watching the ends of the osier
bed, which immediately adjoins the reed swamps, a large
otter comes from the former, and before we are fully able
to make sure of its identity it has disappeared beneath the
surface of the water. Loud are our lamentations, but had
we shot and killed the spaniel the lamentations would have
been louder. Vainly do we hunt for almost an hour, trying
to drive the otter into a place where we can obtain a shot at
him, but in this broadland swamp he defies our efforts, and

2o4 BROADLAND SPORT

we are compelled to turn towards fresh hunting grounds
without catching another glimpse of him. Not only did this
clump harbour the otter, but many birds seemed to have
taken up their abode there. We bagged three water-hens
and a cock pheasant, but twice that number managed to
escape, two of them sorely injured.

" Hailing a boat propelled by a friendly marshman, we punt
some way down stream, and are landed upon the river
wall adjoining a large dyke running to a drainage mill, at
which point we proceed to partake of a well-earned lunch. •

"It is a curious country. All around is as flat as the
Netherlands ; nothing breaks the line of the horizon except
a slight upheaval of the uplands of the Flegg district to the
eastward, and in the neighbourhood of Hickling Broad, far
away to the westward, a dark clump of woodland stands out
boldly against the sky. Elsewhere the marshland fades away
into the blue haze of distance.

" Reclining at length upon the wooden boards which cover
the sluice, and are warm from the rays of the sun, we discuss
our sandwiches and whisky, and enjoy a lazy smoke. After
half an hour's rest we proceed again, and beat out several
more osier beds, in which only one solitary hare is found ; but
on nearing the end of the last osier bed a large flock of pee-
wits cross overhead, rather high up ; however, we fire four
barrels into their midst and gather three birds. - The peewits
seem to be the advent of further sport, and although the land
looks anything but inviting, from a shooting point of view,
we are fortunate in securing some excellent fun for the next
three-quarters of an hour.

" Crossing a couple of fine marshes we have several shots at
snipe, and in passing over the dam,* to visit the marshes on the
other side, fall in with two small coveys of birds, which we
hunt round and round the marshes until we have accounted
for nearly all their number. Why the birds laid as they did
so late in the season was a mystery, unless it was because
they had for a long time been left undisturbed.

* A marshland roadway.

HORSE Y DISTRICT 205

" From a secluded little pond or pulk-hole in a marsh, which
had been excavated near to the river wall, we bag a duck and
mallard, whilst the retriever, in spite of all our shouting,
makes off on a small excursion on his own and returns in
about twenty minutes from a thick reed bed with a wounded
pochard, evidently shot by some flight shooter no consider-
able time before.

" A Norwegian crow, which was rash enough to croak over
our friend's head, meets with an untimely end, but we leave it
where it falls, in the middle of a freshly-ploughed field,
thinking it may be of some use to the farmer at a future
period to frighten other marauders from his seed corn.

" Being now some distance from home, and as the evening
is advancing, we think it best to turn our steps in that
direction. We therefore make for the river wall, and find
ourselves well within sight of that vast sheet of water,
Hickling Broad. Many a small lot of fowl can we see circling
round the creeks and bays, but although we waste a cartridge
in the hope of disturbing some that may happen to be in the
immediate neighbourhood, which we hope may come within
shot of us, concealed as we are for the moment in a dense
mass of reeds and rushes, we are disappointed ; none appear,
and after waiting a few minutes we proceed on our way home-
wards along the top of the wall. In the next 200 yards we
twice kill snipe as they are flying over the reeds round the
edge of Heigham Sounds, but although we spend upwards of
half an hour trying to retrieve them, we are compelled to
abandon the hope, and afterwards refuse to shoot several birds
which we might have killed on account of the difficulty in
obtaining them should we have been successful in our shots.

" The sun is now setting, and the crimson flush which lights
up the whole sky foretells of coming wind and stormy weather.
There is a nice breeze blowing, and several large flocks of
peewits can be seen winging their way from one favourite
feeding place to another.

" We are picking our steps across a wet, rough marsh, when
suddenly, with a whisk and a whirl, a little knot of birds

2o6

BROADLAND SPORT

pass, almost touching the ground, in a manner which in
the uncertain light might lead a superstitious person to
think of the visitation of some evil spirit or goblin,
said to inhabit these parts by those living in the more re-
mote regions, to whom the teaching of the School Board has
been but hearsay. It proved to be a bunch of golden plover,
but we were so astonished at the suddenness of their coming
and going that they escaped without a shot being fired at
them.

" Although we keep a constant lookout from this moment
until we once more touch the uplands, never a shot do we get.
" The author was now strongly in favour of staying for the
flight, but his friend had had enough of it, and enthusiastic-
ally argues that the comfort of a roomy saddle-bagged chair
drawn close to a warm fireside, in company with a bottle of
generous port and Kentish cobs as additional allurement,
require some beating. The attractions of each proposition are
duly considered, and finally it is decided to toss up and abide
by the result. His friend wins, and in triumph leads the
way by a short cut through the fields towards the hospitable
roof that gave us shelter, and, be it said to his credit, he
had in no way under-estimated the tempting lures held out
on the bleak borders of marshland to attract us on like a
Will-o'-the-Wisp over the fatal bogs, but with this difference :
the latter practically exist only in the imagination, whereas
the former were taken by us in the enjoyment of sweet
reality."

FROZEN OUT.

BURGH ST l'l'. I ERS.

CHAPTER XVIII

THE WAVENEY VALLEY

For the purpose of convenience, and in order that no confusion
may arise regarding the various districts open to the visitor, a
return is once more made to Oulton Broad, and after re-
victualling the ship the voyage of discovery is continued up
the Waveney or the Beccles River.

For the first two or three miles Oulton Dyke is retraced
as far as the sharp turn which forms the outlet of the Beccles
River and leads to Burgh Staithe.

The church tower of Burgh St Peter may be kept for a
long time in view, rising, as it does, from a narrow spit of up-
land on the right-hand bank of the stream. This is one of
the most extraordinary towers in England. It looks as
if it consisted of square blocks of masonry placed one on
top of the other, diminishing in size the higher they go.
The interior of the church is quaint and worth visiting, being
a typical Broadland place of worship.

The church is quite close to Burgh St Peter's Staithe,
where boats may be hired, and good baskets of roach and
bream are occasionally taken.

A little further up the reach is Carlton Colville steam
drainage mill — a well-known landmark. Three-quarters of a
mile beyond this, in the corner of a sharp bend of the river

207

2o8 BROADLAND SPORT

which leads up to the seven-mile carr, is a large reed-bed on
the left-hand rand, which is worth beating out, provided one
has a dog to do it with. Many are the ducks, mallard, rail
and moorhen that it has given shelter to in past days, whilst
it is seldom drawn blank in the present.

This neighbourhood is also fair for bream. Rounding the
bend before mentioned we come to the seven-mile carr, a very
good fishing station for all kinds of coarse fish. It was here
that a London angler (about 1890) hooked and landed a seven-
pound salmon trout when fishing for perch, and he was
perhaps as much surprised as the fish itself. Pike can nearly
always be taken in this reach, and it is a pretty place to
anchor for a short visit.

Leaving the carr, the river winds away more southerly,
towards Barnby Mill. To the left lies Barnby Broad. At
one time this broad must have been of considerable size, but
lately it has grown up to an alarming extent. Before the
Great Eastern Railway made a junction at Barnby, the water
harboured fowl of all descriptions, but now their numbers have
materially decreased. However, it is not an uncommon
thing to see some hundreds on the wing together during the
month of November. Snipe and water-birds are numerous at
times, but they confine themselves entirely to the hovers in the
secluded recesses of the broad. The shooting is, of course,
preserved, but there is a long marsh wall bounding the broad
to the westward, about a quarter of a mile from the water,
and here a few villagers collect at flighting time. Barnby
Broad also contains pike, and one hundred ^pounds in weight
has not been an uncommon bag. A large number of otters
also find a home in the innermost swamps surrounding
the open water. They are very difficult to exterminate,
and to hunt them with a pack is impossible. In fact, the
only chance one has of routing them from their lairs, and
at the same time following them with any success at all,
is during the winter when a hard frost has blocked the
water and frozen the swamps ; then a hunt can be organ-
ised with a scratch pack of hounds, which, however, is

THE WAVENEY VALLEY

209

generally more a matter for amusement than a danger to
the quarry.

Between Barnby Water Mill and Oulton Broad lies Carlton
Level, a stretch of treeless marshes, where little is to be found
except peewits and an occasional mallard. In years gone by,
before steam drained the marshes, they were often flooded,
and large and numerous flocks of wildfowl, geese and
waders afforded excellent sport. For several winters in

F1SHROW OR OULTON DYKE.

succession a gaggle of geese frequented these marshes, and
defied the efforts and ingenuity of all the local gunners. At
that time many rare birds were bagged. One instance is re-
corded of a stilted plover seen flying low over the marshes,
but the gunner, in his excessive eagerness to secure the
prize, missed the bird altogether. In recent years the land-
owners have at great expense put down steam drainage, and
wildfowl shooting seems to be practically a "thing of the
past." A few years ago the rands beside the river yielded a
fair amount of waterhens ; even these are now scarce, and
nothing can be obtained by the sporting tourist except an

2io BROADLAND SPORT

exceptional snipe from the rands, a few lapwing as they cross
the river, and, very rarely, a duck at flight, or in the early
morning.

Leaving Barnby Mill there is a straight run up the North
Cove reach, past the Staithe, to Worlingham steam mill. The
shooting is all preserved.

Shortly after passing Worlingham steam mill the Aldeby
railway bridge blocks the navigation, and one often has to
wait a good while before the dilatory attendants trouble
themselves to open it. The river here winds about con-
siderably.

In the neighbourhood of Aldeby railway bridge are situ-
ated some good snipe marshes, but they are claimed to be
private property, and the sporting rights over them are let.

Sayers' Grove, sometimes called Gunner's Hills, is a beautiful
sylvan retreat, and one of the most charming spots for a
picnic that can be found anywhere in the Waveney Valley.

Arriving at Beccles, the mast must be lowered in order to
quant under an ancient Roman bridge of solid stone masonry
situated about fifty yards to the east of the modern railway
bridge, which is also a fixture.

Beccles is a very quiet, old-fashioned country town, with
good railway accommodation to London, or to the fashionable
East-coast watering-places. Many think it the best centre from
which to start on a Broadland cruise. There is excellent fish-
ing to be obtained both below and above the bridges, and
plenty of boats can be hired at reasonable rates. The principal
hotel, located in the centre of the town, is " The King's Head."
' The White Lion " is comfortable. There is, besides, the Rail-
way Hotel near the station (the headquarters of the local angling
club), the Waveney Hotel adjoining the river, and many other
small inns. The stream runs through the town at a consider-
able pace, and the water is generally as clear as crystal, whilst
both perch and roach can at all times be seen darting in and
out the weeds waving from the bottom of the stream.

The old curiosity shop near the river may be interesting to
some, at all events it is worthy of note. The rates are

THE WAVENEY VALLEY 211

practically nil, on account of the large revenue obtained from
the marshes belonging to the town.

Above bridges the river narrows considerably, the rands
by degrees disappear, and the banks become firmer the further
we proceed.

A few miles up Dunborough Woods are passed, and
Geldeston Lock, which is a charming place to stay at for a few
days' quiet enjoyment, is reached.

The river water is so clear that everything on the bottom can
be seen, whilst to laze on the bank, smoking, watching the
fish swimming in and out of the forest of aquatic vegetation,
and hoping that they will be attracted by the dainty lure
provided for their special edification, is a pastime which, to
the worried business man, should offer a paradise of
contentment.

When the coming mists arise and the cattle are heard low-
ing o'er the lee it is pleasant to drop into the old-fashioned
kitchen of the Lock House and yarn with the lock keeper.
It is a post which for years has been handed down from
father to son, and it carries with it many of the cares of the
upper Waveney navigation. The present family are men
slow of speech and good listeners, but, draw them out, they
will arouse your interest and tell much that is curious and
instructive. With pride the head of the family will take you
to his inner parlour, which is kept more for appearances than
use, where he will exhibit the perch of 5 lbs. 2 ozs. taken by
one of his own name from the depths of the sluice pool, the
2 \ lb. lampreys and the 14 1 lb. trout, all of which have been
caught in the same place. He will tell you of gigantic eels,
pike and bream, and narrate tale after tale concerning fish
and fishing that will at once stamp him as a worthy candidate
for the honours of any Piscatorial Society. They must be
heard to be believed.

A few yards beyond the lock one cannot fail to notice the
puzzle stone, which some intelligent governing body is ap-
parently responsible for. It is a source of much curiosity, and
many a bet is wagered upon its meaning. It is a square block

212 BROADLAND SPORT

of masonry standing on the river bank, having the following
inscription upon its face : —

"This stone is laid upon the foundation of the old mill and over the
piece of plank described by Mr Thomas in his award, ten inches below the
upper side of which plank is watermark, and three feet below the bottom
of this stone."

The wayfarer reads and goes on his journey up stream be-
wildered at its hidden meaning. But one's attention is soon
diverted by the tortuous windings of the river to Ellingham
Lock, where a crowbar must be borrowed from the obliging
miller (none being provided), and the quant used more freely
than watermen appreciate. Soon afterwards the tower of
Bungay Church is seen rising from the trees on the horizon.

Bungay Lock, which lies very near to some large maltings,
is another difficult part of the river to negotiate, as no crow-
bar is provided and the lock gates are sadly deficient in more
respects than one.

Half a mile further and a landing-staithe is reached where
one can moor for the night, progress being barred by
the scarcity of water in the river and the abundance of mud
and vegetation which chokes up the stream. The ruins of
Mettingham Castle are about a mile away to the southward,
whilst the ruins of Bungay Castle are located in the centre
of the town; the latter are not so well preserved nor kept
up as are the former. The keep and gateway at Mettingham
are very fine. From Beccles to Bungay the fishing is about
on a par with that from Beccles to Oultoh, and at all times
of the year good baskets may be taken.

At Bungay an extensive common adjoins the town, on
which the local Derby annually takes place. The racing is
divided into a two days' meeting, and is well patronised by
the owners of some good horses.

Although the river runs through Causton, Homersfield
and Mendham to Harleston, it can hardly be called navigable,
and the sport obtainable upon it is not sufficient to merit
attention ; besides, so strictly is the ground preserved through

THE WAVENEY VALLEY 213

which the river passes, that were one to follow his own
inclinations he would, most assuredly, get into trouble sooner
or later, without gaining sufficient recompense for the risks
incurred.

On the return journey to Beccles we could not resist
lingering another iright at Geldeston Lock, where at times
one hears many an anecdote pertaining to the district and
well flavoured with local colouring. On this occasion an
intelligent gamekeeper, evidently a recent comer to the
parish, treated our crew to a discourse dealing with the hire
of shooting rights over parish lands.

'• The Parish No-man's land " he designated it, and as
his remarks were by no means devoid of interest, they are
now (without his permission) reproduced as nearly in accord-
ance with his own wording as a roughly- written diary and
a vivid memory will permit.

A Broadland Poor's Marsh

Few indeed are the parishes of Broadland that have no
poor's marsh. In these days of local government the parish
councillors are eloquent and declaim upon the gross iniquities
of their predecessors, who have (so they affirm), for genera-
tions, allowed the parson and the squire to pitch away the
rights of the poor working man, and allowed the poor's lands
to run to rack and ruin, if indeed they can be located at all.
With the poor's marshes in the various parishes it is just
the same. The arrogant bootmaker, suddenly lifted from the
obscurity of the cobbler's bench to the shining light of the
chairmanship of the P. C, thumps his darkened fist upon the
table in order the more to emphasise his remarks, and asks, in
stentorian tones of his colleagues of that most self-esteemed
body — " If they consider it right ? — If the laws of justice
have not been violated ? — If their birthright has not been
frittered away and stolen from them by the wicked man of
the parish (viz., the squire), who has dared to store up
money. That "man " (he proclaims) " has for years hired the

2i4 BROADLAND SPORT

poor's marsh, and what for? Why, to allow the drains to
grow up and the marsh to be constantly under water, so
that he may shoot a few snipe for his amusement at odd
times. But now that the parish has its affairs in its own
hands the squire will be no longer able to hire the poor's
marsh for whatever sum he likes to pay. No ! He'll have to
pay a thumping big rent or the parish won't let him have it
at all, and the old women will no longer have to go to bed
to keep warm, as they will have their Christmas dole of coals
from the greatly increased rents produced."

Such an oration is greeted with a storm of cheers, and
the enlightened and learned fellow-members of that almighty
body solemnly, and with one accord, answer, in deep, guttural
tones, " Down with slavery, tyranny and despots." And
they fall asleep whilst the despised vicar of the parish mildly
remonstrates and attempts to rebut slanderous insinuations
by a prolonged and detailed reference to the parish records
which hardly one of the council understands — or believes if
he does.

But to tell you about the poor's marsh of the parish I
belong to. It is an overgrown waste of swamp, reeds and
water. Its crop is used for litter and is sold by auction, realis-
ing but a few shillings. The sporting rights (snipe) are
similarly dealt with, but then as every member of the com-
munity who owns a gun, or who can borrow one from a
neighbour, claims the privilege of an equal right with the
lessee, which it is needless to say he (the lessee) strongly
resents, rows are frequent, and the shooting is not always
as good as one not-in-the-know would perhaps be led to
anticipate.

Our poor's marsh (I will call it " ours " by way of designa-
tion) is located on an island surrounded by a dyke named the
hundred drain. It is semi-circular in shape, and there is
another piece of marshland jutting into it which a landowner
in our village is presumptuous enough to claim as his own ;
but that matters little, as whoever has, or who ever thinks he
has, the right to go over our poor's marsh always beats this

THE WAVENEY VALLEY 2i5

marsh at the same time, and if the purchaser of the litter on
our poor's marsh finds a better bottom of litter on this marsh
he generally appropriates it to his own use. Between this
marsh and our poor's marsh runs a big dyke, but it is
quite grown up with tall reeds, the stubbs of which give a
good foothold and facilitate invasions whether with scythe or
gun.

In the most secluded nooks of this over- grown waterway
a small colony of reed pheasants or bearded tits took up their
abode, and I watched them on many an occasion and for many
an hour at a time until an unfortunate episode, alike to myself
and to the birds, gave a clue to their value to one nicknamed
" Snookey," a ne'er-do-weel, a loafer at the village pub, and
an ubiquitous prowler with a long single-barrelled, muzzle-
loading gun of ancient date and pattern.

How it came about, happened as follows : —

It was a lovely day in February, the sun was hot and the
birds were flitting through the yellow reed stems, lively and
musical, whistling their sweet silvery notes, which can only
be likened to the tinkling of fairy bells. As the colony moved
so did I, and with my glasses to my eyes I wandered on un-
heedingly. Suddenly, to my consternation, I walked into a
mud-hole, and as I floundered about waist deep in the slime I
gave vent to a prolonged and heartfelt exclamation commenc-
ing with D, which can be expressed in three letters, and is by
no means unfamiliar to English conversation. Snookey was
at the time doing a prowl round the other marsh, which,
according to him, " if it wasn't part of our poor's marsh, ought
to have been." He heard the involuntary remark, which, in
his limited vocabulary, he evidently mistook for a term of en-
dearment or of salutation. Splashing through the belt of
reeds which divided us he was quickly with me and soon
helped to extract me from the unpleasant predicament in
which I was placed.

One thing led to another, and in a weak moment I blurted
out the reason of my mishap. " Well," says Snookey, " I hev
often heered them things a-kicking up a hulla-ba-loo in the

216 BROADLAND SPORT

reeds, but I niver heered as how they was nawthing out o'
the common. I'll hev a better look at 'em next time I cum
across 'em." And so he did. Within three weeks he had shot
the last one, and sold them all to a London naturalist at
7s. 6d. a pair. It was a small gold mine for Snookey ; he did
no more work until the summer took him yachting, where
unlimited beer and baccy, with good pay and very little
to do, were inducements which he could never resist. I
always curse that mud-hole and my too long tongue, which
let out the secret and caused a colony of these most inter-
esting and rare little ornaments of Broadland to be
decimated.

But if Snookey preferred personal pecuniary advantages
to any general future ornithological benefits to Broadland, he
was always a willing companion on either mere or marsh,
especially when a full stone jar was on board and there
was the chance of a stray shilling at the end of the day.
Snookey was likewise an authority on the weather as well
as on the habits of fish and fowl. He was great at plover
egging, and our poor's marsh was no bad hunting-ground in
this respect. True, it could not compete with the Fens proper,
Thetford Heath or the Thurne Level of the twenties and the
thirties, when a linen basket could easily be filled with eggs,
but a dozen or so at a time was a fair average for our poor's
marsh, provided one only hit the time right and did not
follow in the footsteps of someone else who had risen earlier
and watched for the opportunity.

Not only plover, but redshanks, snipe', rails, moorhens,
wild ducks, coots, and a variety of smaller birds, all fre-
quent our marsh during the breeding season, and their
eggs can soon be found by anyone having the necessary
knowledge.

As the season advances and August draws near the ex-
citement of an all-night sitting on the confines of the marsh
is eagerly looked forward to by our local wildfowlers, but
of late years the number of the shooters has exceeded the
number of the ducks. The year's crop of flappers from our

THE WAVENEY VALLEY 217

marsh are all shot within the first week, including the home-
bred red-shank, snipe, coot and moorhens.

Our marsh has little to encourage a visitor who is bent
on killing something before November, when the migratory
snipe and duck arrive. Then it is an elysium if it is only
caught at the right moment, and many a hundred ounces of
shot have I distributed over its surface.

A peculiar feature of our marsh is a moving bog. This
is situated near the entrance gate, and Nature seems to have
placed it there out of sheer cussedness, as a trap for the
unwary, whether man or beast. Often have I been caught,
more often have I seen my friends caught, or oftener, perhaps,
have I assisted in extracting some unfortunate bullock that
has been bemired in its slimy embrace. Through the centre
of this bog runs a narrow pathway of firm ground, which
enables the artful joker to lure his less cautious friends into
the very rottenest places before they are even aware of the
existence of the mud trap.

Besides this our poor's marsh is rich in flora, and the
botanist comes miles to be able to splash about in the sur-
rounding fleets and shallows. Nor are we free from the
entomologist, who chases the swallow-tail butterfly with a
rashness which he afterwards regrets, as I did in the case of
the Calamophilus biarmicus.

If the beaming faces of the scientific gentlemen (whom
I often wished further) are any guide to the satisfaction they
derive from their frequent visits to our poor's marsh, that
little plot of land, despised by the many, should be preserved
from the ruthless hand of the drain digger, who sweeps away
its glories once and for ever. So water-bound is our
marsh that little good can come from draining,, which
destroys its shooting value, but every year sees a new lessee
attracted by the fame of the locality, and every spring sees
him looking out for some other marsh not quite so frequented
by the public.

Yes ! our poor's marsh is a place to be proud of. It keeps
the parish alive to its importance, although it does not add

2l8

BROADLAND SPORT

materially to the pieces in the parish chest. Many a pitched
battle has been fought in the past over a club shot on the
marsh itself, and many a pitched battle will be fought in the
future in the parish room when discussing how to handle our
property.

IN THE KEED S\V AMI'S.

CHAPTER XIX

THE YARE VALLEY

The Yare or Norwich
River empties itself
at Great Yarmouth
and may be reached
with equal, if not
greater, convenience
from Oulton Broad
than elsewhere. Tak-
ing the latter for
choice, the reaches to
the railway bridge
over the river at
Herringfleet Hills,
near Haddiscoe, and
St Olaves railway
stations have been
already described in
Chapter VI.

With a fair wind
an easy run of three
miles is made as far
as Haddiscoe Cut,
which, should there
be a head wind, it is
advisable to tow ; a

good path will be found all the way along the north bank.

A horse can be obtained at either end of the cut, and the

distance is worth the small expenditure.

219

THE WAVENEY QUEEN

2 2o BROAD LAND SPORT

Whilst quietly drifting up the cut large flocks of plover
are generally seen shifting from one part of the marshes to
another, disturbed, no doubt, by marshmen or prowling
gunners ; and it may not be altogether out of place to say a
few words concerning these birds which in Broadland are
always with us.

Possibly no other birds frequenting the district afford
so much sport or profit to the marshman as plover. The
lapwing, peewit, green plover, hornpie, or wipe, as it is called, is
most common. There are also grey and golden plover, whilst
in certain localities the Norfolk plover, or thick -knee, is by
no means rare. Golden plover visit Broadland during the
autumn and winter months in large quantities, and are shot
by all lovers of the gun, either for market or private con-
sumption. Like snipe they are "here to-day and gone
to-morrow," so they must be followed immediately they are
known to have arrived in the neighbourhood, or they may be
off before a shot can be obtained at them.

A stalking-horse may be used on these birds with great
success, no matter whether it be the artificial or the real
animal.

At flight time they are often shot, but as it is their custom
to either fly very high in the air or very near to the ground,
not nearly so many are bagged as otherwise might be the
case.

When flying overhead at a considerable height, golden
plover might often be taken for starlings were it not for the
peculiar habit they have of forming themselves into the shape
of a V. It is a habit shooters soon notice, and one which wild
geese also adopt. Should one be out with a gun and a flock
of golden plover passes overhead, do not be discouraged by
reason of the height the birds happen to be in the air, but
wait until they are nearly overhead, then discharge one barrel
in the air so the shot scatters in the thick of them, and they
will often all drop to within a yard of the surface of the
ground in a most extraordinary manner, as though they had
all been hit, but they continue their flight. If the shooter

THE YARE VALLEY 221

handles his gun smartly he will be enabled to slip in another
cartridge and put in a right and left before the birds have
gone out of range.

An amusing instance of this once happened. A marsh-
man's boy went out to the evening flight with an old Martini-
Henry rifle converted into a muzzle-loading shot - gun,
and during the evening an enormous flock of plover flew over
him. The birds were quite 100 yards high, yet he fired, and
to his unbounded delight they all apparently fell to the ground.
In great excitement he danced upon the marsh, shouting, " I've
killed the lot ! I've killed the lot ! " But when they continued
their flight his face was a picture.

During the earliest part of a severe frost hundreds of these
birds may be seen on the salt-marshes round the coast, before
they finally betake themselves to more southern climes.

Grey plover migrate to Broadland and the East Coast
regularly every autumn, about the first week in October.
When first over they are very tame, and one can approach
within shooting distance without much difficulty ; but as
the season advances they mass themselves into flocks and
become exceedingly wild and shy. A shore shooter may
walk until he drops without getting a fair chance at them,
or even picking up a few stragglers, unless he is assisted by a
frost.

But the bird which in Broadland affords so much sport is
the common plover or lapwing. In years gone by, when East
Anglia could not produce a sufficient quantity of wheat to
feed the population, when the uplands were almost all heath
and warren and the marshland was a swampy fen, these birds
must have lived here in countless thousands, but now, as year
by year less heath and warren are to be found and the marsh-
lands are drained more and more, so do these birds decrease
in number.

In the early spring the common plover nest in all parts
of Broadland, on the marshes, in the fen, on open fields on
the uplands, and especially upon the warrens and the large
tracts of heath. They scrab a small hole in the ground and

222 BROADLAND SPORT

lay four eggs, in colour and markings exactly resembling the
surroundings of the nest. These eggs are collected by f enmen
and others, and find a ready sale in the market. Seventy
years ago a single egger would take from 100 to 200 dozens
of eggs during a season from the marshes round Potter
Heigham, Acle, St Bennet's Abbey, or any such neighbour-
hood as Thetford Heath ; and the local gamekeepers and
dealers in Norwich and Yarmouth were in the habit of
sending between 500 and 1000 eggs per week to the London
markets. But nowadays these records have dwindled con-
siderably, and although there is a good supply of eggs during
the spring, the eggers find nothing like the quantity
demanded.

Searching for plovers' eggs is one of the most interesting
pursuits that can be imagined, and the difficulty of finding the
eggs with anything like success can hardly be believed, yet
to an old hand it is as simple as picking up hens' eggs. So
clever are some of the old fenmen and plover-eggers that
when rowing up a marsh dyke they will, to your astonish-
ment, inform you there is a plover's nest situated in a
certain spot on the marsh, the number of eggs there are in it,
and how many days these eggs have been laid. Should you
throw doubt upon their assertions they will stop the boat,
guide you straight to the nest, and on breaking one of the
eggs confirm what they had previously told you. Apparently
the egger draws his conclusions from the manner in which
the birds conduct themselves, whilst the experience gained
from many years' practice completes the rest.

A novice at the art may walk about a field in which there
are many nests and yet not be able to find one for an hour or
more, unless, perchance, he puts his foot on the eggs and so
discovers it ; but a man accustomed to the work sees the nest
immediately, and can tell in what condition the eggs are, and
so be able to judge whether to gather them or allow them to
remain to hatch.

At the close of the breeding season both old and young
birds betake themselves to the low meadows, especially those

THE YARE VALLEY 223

which are fairly moist. Here they remain until the autumn.
During October and November they are joined by migratory
birds from other countries. The first frost drives them to the
coast, when they depart almost immediately for the south.
During August and September they afford good sport to
flight shooters, who are always out after them with more or
less success.

When October comes they collect in larger flocks and
great numbers are sometimes taken by netting. The most
favourite place for netting is a small island in the midst
of a flooded marsh. The meshes of the nets are coloured
the same as their probable surroundings, and the pattern used
is the ordinary clap-net — known to all bird-catchers — with the
exception that one net only is used instead of two. Round
the edge of the net stuffed peewits are set, and near the end
nearest the fowler one or more live peewits are anchored
down upon a small board which, working on a pivot sunk
into the ground, can be raised at the will of the string-puller
some little height into the air. The decoy-birds are all placed
head to wind and the net is pegged down accordingly, so that
when it is pulled over it will catch the birds as they are
settling amongst the decoys. The poles of the net are about
ten feet long, and the art of making a big haul is to allow the
straggling part of the flock of birds to pass and not to pull
the net over until the thickest part of the flock can be reached.

Green plover are killed from the artificial stalking-horse
or by using a live horse or pony which will stand fire, but
when they have been shot at once or twice in this manner the
game is played out.

Another plan is to drive a horse and cart into the field
where they are, as sometimes one can get within range by
driving or riding round them, gradually decreasing the distance
until sufficiently near to shoot.

All plover are easily called. Not only do they reply to
their particular whistle, but they also are attracted by it in
such a manner that an easy shot is often offered and the birds
secured.

224 BROADLAND SPORT

They undoubtedly do good to the land, and certainly
should be classed with the farmers' friends.

Of late years many people have stated their belief
that these birds will soon be exterminated, but if they
saw the quantity that at present frequent East Anglia, and
if they knew how capable these birds are of looking after
"number one," their fears would be allayed. Drainage has
done more to drive plover away than the egger or the
shooter, and with the innovation of the steam-driven turbine
it seems as if the day was not distant when they may be
added to the list of the rare birds of Broadland.

At the north end of the cut lies the village of Reedham.
At even-tide, when the sun is setting in the marshes and
the dew is rising, the village presents a picture which can
only be described as truly magnificent. There is a touch of
that peculiar local quaintness which one sees in Norfolk and
nowhere else in the United Kingdom.

Many times have artists depicted various scenes from
Broadland in the London galleries, and one wonders why
Reedham has not been chosen more frequently than has been
the case. Passing through at midday, one is not struck so
much by its beauty, for it is only at sunrise, or at sunset, that
it can be fully observed.

The river from Reedham to the Dicky Works, on the
western extremity of Breydon Water, so far as sport is
concerned, is similar to the first part of the North River, and
that part of the Waveney from St Olaves' Suspension Bridge
to " The Dicky Works." Thus, to comment on the run from
Reedham to Yarmouth would only be repeating what has been
written in a previous chapter. Passing silently by the
miscellaneous collection of houses, maltings and buildings
erected along the river bank, with the flowing tide under us,
we take a more southern course and traverse the centre of
the Yare Valley, with its great expanse of marshes reaching
far away on either hand.

About a quarter of a mile from the village a ferry is
situated, where there is a large flat-bottomed square ferry-

THE YARE VALLEY

225

boat used for the conveyance of cattle, horses and carts over
the river. It is worked by means of a chain, similar to the
one at Horning Ferry, but Reedham Ferry has not such
picturesque surroundings as Horning.

A hundred yards beyond the ferry, on the south bank
of the river, is a public-house, where in days gone by
large quantities of contraband goods were landed for dis-
tribution over the surrounding country. Half an hour spent
in the tap -room with a few gratuitous quarts of ale will bring
forth curious anecdotes, interesting to those whose tastes lie
in that direction.

Reedham always has been celebrated for its bream fishing,
not only on account of the quantity to be caught, but
also for their quality and size. Early morning is the best
time to fish, also when the heat in the summer is so intense
that the shallower waters of the Broads are unproductive.
Ledger tackle is generally used on account of the current,
which is very strong, except, of course, at the turn of the tide.

About a mile above the village of Reedham, on the left-
hand bank, the visitor will notice a curiously-shaped cross,
somewhat after the style of those met with in Ireland, and
he will no doubt puzzle his brains to ascertain why such a
monument should have been erected in such a bleak and
uninviting spot. This landmark is called Hardly Cross,
and it defines the boundary of the jurisdiction of the Norwich
Corporation and the Great Yarmouth Port and Haven
Commissioners.

At this point the River Chet, a small winding stream
communicating with the country town of Loddon, joins the
Yare. Although wherries navigate this so-called river, they
have difficulty in finding a place where they can turn round
before arriving at Loddon should they desire to do so,
and if two of them meet, passing would be most awkward,
if not impossible. The fishing is not worth mentioning, and
the same may be said of the shooting, because the river
runs through private grounds and is strictly preserved.
The land belongs to the Beauchamp family, on whose estate

P

226 BROADLAND SPORT

a thousand head of pheasants a day is not an unusual bag
for several days in succession when the coverts are shot.
From Hardly Cross there is little of interest in the river
until Cantley is reached, which is a celebrated station for
anglers and yachtsmen.

At Cantley Red House excellent accommodation may be
obtained and boats and all other requisites to sport hired with
very little trouble. One of the most celebrated swims in the
neighbourhood is known as " Crow's Hole," which can be
pointed out to the angler from the end of the quay. The
river here is broad and deep, and there are some magnificent
reaches for sailing.

Cantley may almost be looked upon as the headquarters
of the Yare Sailing Club, which has for some time been the
largest sailing club in the world, and which holds most of its
race meetings here.

Leaving Cantley the river takes a sweep in a south-
westerly direction, then winds away north-west to the entrance
of Buckenham and Hassingham Broads. Both of these broads
are private and they afford a sanctuary and retreat for wild-
fowl ; being only shot occasionally, the fowl never seem to
desert them, and they thus help to keep the district well
supplied. Buckenham Broad is so shallow that the fishing on
it is not reliable ; there are, however, a few good pike, and
bream.

Proceeding up the river, the three entrances to Rockland
Broad are passed. The fishing on this broad is public
and at times good sport may be obtained, although the water is
somewhat over fished. From Buckenham Broad to Brundall
the river lies almost due northwest, and is bounded on the
north by rough-bottomed swamps very favourable to game
and wildfowl. The swamps are dotted here and there with
pulk-holes both large and small, in which lurk solitary pike
and quantities of waterfowl of all descriptions. Enormous
bags of snipe have been made on these marshes in years past,
and a one-time owner of the property, a gentleman who
distinguished himself, inter alia, by breaking the Bank at

THE YARE VALLEY 227

Monte Carlo, asserts he once shot no less than 1200 with
his own gun during a season. This shooting is preserved, and
there is but little chance for a stranger to hire it.

Some years ago the shooting on the river was worthy of
consideration, especially in the early part of August, but now
the birds seem to be aware of the fact that any part of the
river is dangerous ground, and they rarely give a chance to
the shooter. Large bags of moorhen, with a few snipe and
duck thrown in, might then have been obtained by hunting
the rands with a good dog, but now " the game is not worth
the candle."

The fishing, on the other hand, is very good, and in the
autumn large catches of pike are made by spinning in the
river, taking advantage of favourable winds and tides. By
way of example, two gentlemen landed no less than sixty-
three fish in one day, most of which, however, they returned
to the water on account of their diminutive size.

At Buckenham boats may be obtained at the inn for a
shilling a day and upwards; this is within easy rowing
distance of Rockland Broad, whilst there are several good
swims in the immediate neighbourhood. The inn is about
half a mile from Buckenham railway station on the line
from Lowestoft and from Yarmouth to Norwich, and the
accommodation is all an angler can desire. The best place
for roach will be found near the entrance to a running sluice
or mill stream, but it is advisable to take a boatman who
can and who will point out the swims, and by his local
knowledge and anecdote he will amply compensate the small
additional outlay which his presence entails.

Brundall is another celebrated angler's resort, and
any amount of boats, of all sizes and description, may be
hired here, but the best fishing-boats are to be obtained at
Coldham Hall. At Brundall the Yare Hotel, adjoining
the station, offers fair accommodation. Several boat-builders
have their headquarters at Brundall, as it is one of the
favourite yachting centres, and many racing craft are
built here.

228 BROADLAND SPORT

Coldham Hall is situated on the other side of the river,
half a mile from the station; it is a large, roomy and
favourite riverside inn, with good accommodation and
picturesque surroundings. The boats are let at one shilling
to two shillings and sixpence per day, and all kinds of bait
can be obtained. It lies contiguous to Surlingham Broad,
another public water noted for its roach and pike, but it
is advisable to obtain permission to fish it, although apparently
the right is claimed.

The river winds considerably at this point, and from
Coldham Hall to the west entrance of Surlingham Broad it
forms a horse-shoe, entirely surrounding a stretch of marshes
about fifty acres in extent, which during the winter months
are flooded and afford safe skating. Once or twice during a
good season race meetings are organised, and a large concourse
of people collect to watch the contests. The skating is
managed by a local man, who provides cloak-rooms and other
accommodation, whilst the charge is sixpence and a shilling
per head, which includes ferrying and re-ferrying from and
to Brundall Station.

Continuing to the ancient city of Norwich the river is
most picturesque. Woods run from the uplands to the very
edge of the water, beautiful little nooks and grown-up dykes
are met with almost every hundred yards, and houses nestling
amongst the trees make one envious of their occupants. The
shooting on the river is not worthy of consideration, but to
those fortunate enough to be invited to the parties organised
to shoot the land on either side the sport is exceptionally
good, which can easily be imagined by the visitor who
notices the large number of pheasants constantly crossing and
re-crossing the stream.

From Brundall to Bramerton Woods End the water offers
good fishing of all kinds, but before reaching this point Surling-
ham Ferry, situated on a neck of firm land, and surrounded
by a thick clump of tall willow and other trees, is passed on
the left. The house affords all necessary creature comforts,
and invites one to linger in its vicinity. There are a few

THE YARE VALLEY 229

boats which are good, but the visitor must not expect to
get shooting unless he hires it. Surlingham Ferry is some
distance from any railway station, but it can be reached by
road or water. Thence to Bramerton Woods End are many
good bream swims.

Bramerton Woods End is "the Richmond" of Norwich,
and on Sundays is always crowded with citizens who have
been brought out by river steamers at the rate of sixpence per
head. There are extensive tea-gardens attached to the hotel,
which is a modern building with large rooms. It is situate
on the side of some hills, high for Norfolk, which are well
wooded, and the neighbourhood around is very pretty. Sail-
ing is unsatisfactory on account of the trees, but there is
plenty of life on the river, which, if it disturbs the angler,
may lend an interest to those who find sport dull. About a
mile beyond Bramerton the Postwick Hills rise from the north
banks ; this is a favourite place for picnicking, and is held in
high esteem by the residents of Norwich.

A straight reach due west runs to Crown Point, and on
the way are several objects of interest. Thorpe Asylum on
the right, and the Devil's House on the left bank, which
latter peculiar and interesting structure would have long
since fallen down had it not from time to time been bolstered
up. A little beyond the Devil's House, rising from a well-
wooded hill, is the tower of Whittlingham Church, with the
statues of a few dilapidated apostles guarding its ivy-clad
ruins.

At the bend of the river, under the hills of Crown Point,
the scenery is more attractive, though no sport can be
obtained. One cannot pass without being attracted by the
gamekeeper's cottage, nestling as it does in the deep recesses
of the well-wooded hills, surrounded by flowers, overrun with
creepers, and forming a sylvan retreat the prettiest im-
aginable.

A small arm of the river runs past this cottage, which
is preserved, and it is said that good pike are occasionally
taken from its waters.

23o BROADLAND SPORT

At Thorpe Village the river has been diverted from its
bed and a cut made about a quarter of a mile in length,
so that the railway (which passes twice over the old river)
may not interfere with the traffic. On the edge of the water-
way round the old bend of the river lies the village, said to
be the prettiest village in England. There may be much
truth in -this statement, although there are many other
villages quite as pretty, if not prettier. Near the railway
bridge boat-yards are located, at each of which boats may be
hired ; situated as they are so near to Norwich, the hiring
price is a little more than elsewhere. There are several inns,
mostly adjoining the river, their gardens being pictur-
esquely laid out, and accordingly attracting many visitors.
At "Thorpe Gardens" boats are to let, as also at Hart's,
Field's, and Dale's boat-yards. Another pretty little house
in Thorpe Village is the "King's Head," but it is not so
much frequented as the " Gardens."

Passing the second railway bridge, Trowse Eye, or, as it
is sometimes called, Trowse Hythe, is reached, where in the
early part of the summer large quantities of bream collect
and good bags are often made.

The river here divides itself into two parts, the northern-
most branch being the Wensum, and running through the
city, the other being the Yare, which runs as far as Lakenhem
then winds away due west, whilst another branch, taking a
southerly course, is named the Tese or Tas.

Following the Wensum, the largest of the three streams
we have named, we go by the gigantic mustard and starch
works of Messrs. J. J. Colman & Co., Ltd., and passing under
several bridges, arrive in sleepy, quiet Norwich.

At the Foundry Bridge, near Thorpe Central Railway
Station, are good moorings, which will be found to be in
the heart of the quaint old city.

The upper reaches of the river can be explored with a
dinghy by making little trips for the purpose, sometimes
returning to Norwich by rail, and sometimes sleeping out at
riverside inns.

THE YARE VALLEY 231

By no means the least attractive is that small portion of
the river which winds in and out between old buildings, under
bridges and past ruined watch-towers, which cannot fail
to be objects of great interest to an observant tourist.

The upper parts of this river can only be explored by
rowing boats, which can, however, be hired at various places
at cheap rates.

The Wensum, arising somewhere near Whissonsett, flows
through Fakenham, Raynham, Ryburg, North Elmham,
Bylaugh, Lyng, Attlebridge, Taverham, Drayton, Costessey,
and on to the New Mills at Norwich.

The fishing between Norwich and Hellesdon produces
good roach and dace, and the fish are better than those taken
from the river below Norwich, on account of the greater
purity of the stream.

At Hellesdon a large flour mill intercepts the course
of the river, and permission must be obtained from the
owner to pull one's boat overland round the mills in order to
navigate the river above.

Under the Ringland Hills excellent sport may be found
with roach, bream and pike, but permission to fish must be
sought from the local proprietress.

At Attlebridge trout are taken, not in large quantities,
but the fishing, considering the stream, shows a fair amount
of sport; leave has to be obtained, and the sport is well
worthy of consideration.

The Yare from Lakenham to Intwood and Earlham
affords a good quantity of roach and pike, but the latter do
not run to any great size.

The Tese, or Tas, which winds through Caistor and
Dunston to Tasburgh, is little more than a large dyke, but
trout are sometimes caught, although the sport they show is
poor on account of the sluggishness of the stream.

Shooting is quite out of the question on these upper
reaches as the river-bed belongs to the adjoining landowners
on either side.

Not wishing to experience possible annoyance from an

232

BROAD LAND SPORT

over-curious and idle crowd on the public quay by mooring
near Foundry Bridge, the wherry was laid-to for the night
under the trees on the south bank of the stream at Trowse
Eye, in company with other craft. Amongst these were the
well-known fleet of Colonel Leathes, always recognisable
from afar by their prettily-trimmed red-and-white striped
awnings.

After dinner the popular colonel honoured us with a visit
and through the rings of Havannah smoke he unfolded to an
attentive and admiring audience the triumphs of fifty years
ago, when Captain King's meadow (opposite) was yearly
thronged with the aristocracy of the county to
cheer on the local oarsmen to victory against all

when the

comers

COLONEL H. M. LEATHES ON CRUISE.

immediately responded to as follows :-

feats of George
Knights of Wymond-
ham and others were
renowned through-
out England, and
how fifty-mile row-
ing matches were the
rule rather than the
exception.

A request for a
yarn to enter in the
ship's log-book was

" You must know that years ago the yachting men of the
county formed a private cruising club, which was probably the
origin of the yacht clubs of the present day. What charming
days those were with the cruising club ! What yarns at
night ! What music ! How delicious the early morning
plunge overboard all together at a given signal into the clear
limpid stream ! the chaff, the fun ! But I fear we sometimes
carried our jokes too far, and that our amusement was some-
what one-sided. The story I will tell is an instance of this,

THE YARE VALLEY 233

and comes back vividly to my memory, although it happened
many years ago. I will call it —

Toper's Trial.

"In 1862 we got up a North River cruise with several

yachts belonging to the cruising club, under Commodore R .

The start was made from Cantley, if I remember rightly, and
the following day saw the little fleet all safely moored for the
night at Acle Bridge. On board one of the yachts was an old
waterman, engaged to work the craft, who had turned up very
' rusty,' he grumbled at this and at that, until he ended by saying
' he should go home again.' Of course this meant throwing
part of the fleet more or less into a dilemma and obliging the
owner of this particular yacht to go back to Yarmouth to
engage a fresh hand. As our time was limited it was
suggested that the old man should be patted on the back and
cajoled into changing his mind, and to remain with us until
we had reached a part of the river where it would be no easy
matter for him to desert the ship or find his way back to the
bosom of his family.

" The old waterman was always known on the stream by
the name of 'The Toper.' It had apparently originated
from his inordinate love of something stronger than water.
Toper had, on the occasion of his mutiny, taken as much as
was good for him, and had consequently become quarrelsome,
but at last he was calmed down, and, little expecting what was
in store for him, he sailed on with us from day to day, until
we finally reached Coltishall Lock, quite away, in those days,
from the reach of railways, and many miles from his home at
Yarmouth.

" Some wicked unknown person, on the morning of our
reaching Coltishall, had placed three tiers of gunpowder in
Toper's filled pipe, which he afterwards replaced in his
forecastle, and knowing also the peculiarity of his victim in
being addicted to the habit of wearing no stockings, he had
stuffed his shoes with mustard and cayenne. Not long after-

234

BROADLAND SPORT

wards I observed old Toper very fidgety, then I saw him take
off his shoes, examine his feet, and with his pocket-knife
carefully scrape them, muttering to himself, and finally he
put both naked feet in the river. Finding ere long the
beneficial effect of this process, he brought out his pipe,
searched for a lucifer, and rubbing it on the leg of his
trousers, lit his pipe. In another instant there was a big puff
of smoke, and Toper was looking green dragons, and talking
in language more forcible than elegant, which caused me to
retire below.

THE LAST OF THE CKUISING FLEETS UNDER COMMODORE H. M. LEATHES.

"That afternoon all Coltishall was warned that if they
wanted to see any fun they should come down to the fleet at
8 p.m. and hear the proceedings of a district court-martial.

"After dinner the cloth was removed from the pleasure
wherry's cabin (we had fitted up a wherry wherein we could
all meet each evening to dine together), and the commodore
took the chair. Counsel for the prosecution was an old
dragoon officer ; counsel for the defence, a member of the Cape
Parliament ; the other members of the court were constituted
not according to Cocker, and the tribunal was very mixed.
A crowd had gathered on the bank and the time for fun
arrived when Toper, who was wondering at the concourse of

THE YARE VALLEY 235

people, found himself suddenly seized and marched down the
gangway into the presence of the recently-elected judge. The
old man highly disapproved of the proceedings, and vainly
endeavoured to gain the deck ; but at last, finding this an utter
impossibility, he stood calmly awaiting the next denouement.

" The hatches were raised round the wherry's hold, so
that people on the bank could see perfectly all that went on ;
and when quiet had at last been obtained, the proceedings
began.

"'Oyez! Oyez ! You of the name of Toper stand forth,'
said the judge, in grave tones. ' I deeply regret to see a man
of your years ' (he was seventy years old that very day) 'brought
before me upon so serious a charge. You have committed one
of the gravest offences it has ever been my lot to try. I shall
content myself with but few remarks upon the subject
at present, simply reading to you the charge upon
which you are brought before this honourable court, and
I have only to add that I feel certain a most impartial and
thorough investigation will take place. At the proper time
you will be allowed, on your own behalf, to make such remarks
as you may deem necessary ; in the meantime your case is in
able hands, and I am sure that the learned counsel for the
defence will conduct it in such manner as will reflect the
highest honour on — on that member of the cruising fleet who
has at the last hour accepted the brief on your behalf.
Prisoner at the bar, you, of the name of " Toper," stand
charged with the terrible crime of not having saluted the
commodore's flag in the middle of last night as you came to
your moorings. What have you of the name of " Toper " to
say in answer to the charge? Are you guilty, or not
guilty ? '

"'If you please, sur, I ain't fond of this 'ere 'umbug.
This wery arternoon someone calling hisself a gentleman 'as
made a three-decker o' my pipe, and burnt my toes with
mustard and kaianne pepper ! I calls it a shame and a insult
on grey hairs, I does, and that's all I 're got to say on the
matter.'

236

BROADLAND SPORT

"These irrelevant remarks by Toper were severely cen-
sured by the judge and the trial proceeded. The speeches of
counsel I forget, but I know they convulsed everyone with
laughter ; so much so that in the end even old Toper himself
couldn't help joining in the fun. At last the case was ended
and the prisoner found guilty, but in consideration of his
great age he was strongly recommended to mercy.

" ' Prisoner at the bar, you have been found guilty, I
deeply regret to say, by the unanimous verdict of the jury. I

THE GII'SY LIFE OK BROADLAND.

will not comment upon the enormity of your crime. Your
conscience must have already told you the heinousness of
your sin. It only remains for me now to pass upon you the
sentence of this honourable court, which is, that you be
turned adrift, on your return down the stream, on Hickling
Broad [several hundred acres of water] in a jolly-boat, without
oars, without mast, without sails, without a rudder, without
meat, without drink, and lastly, without clothes — in fact, in a
state of nudity, in an empty boat ! But the jury recom-
mended you to mercy on account of your great age, and as it
is ever the prerogative of justice to lean towards the side of

THE YARE VALLEY 237

mercy, I have considerable pleasure, under all the circum-
stances of the case, in mitigating the severe punishment I have
already awarded by allowing you a paper shirt, collar and a
pair of braces ! Remove the prisoner.' So ended the great
trial at Coltishall Lock.

" By the time ' Toper ' had finished his cruise with us
there was not a happier man in the fleet. And when we ended
our voyage a purse was made up for the old man, and he left
us declaring ' he never sailed with such a nice merry lot of
gents in all his life.' His latter statement might have had a
double meaning as the practical jokes played upon the old
man were innumerable."

THE LARBOARD WATCH.

LATKENERS RACING ON WROXHAM BROAD.

CHAPTER XX

YACHTS AND YACHTING DURING THE PAST, 1800 TO 1880

Amongst the sports of Broadland, boat-sailing and yachting
stand pre-eminent. It is a sport in which all can indulge,
from the millionaire in his luxurious steam yacht to the
guttersnipe in a washtub; there is plenty of room for
everybody without being obliged to rub shoulders against
undesirable company.

In Broadland are some 200 miles of waterway open
to the Bohemian tourist, and a grand total of over 4000
acres of open water — made up from the combined area of
the various broads and lagoons. The normal range of tide
is trifling, and there is no swiftly -running stream to contend
against, except near Great Yarmouth, which renders these

238

YACHTING DURING THE PAST

239

inland waters ideal cruising grounds. Access to the sea is
gained at Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft, from either of
which ports vessels of no mean burden can enter or depart.

The launching of the first pleasure boat or yacht upon the
waters of Broadland cannot be traced, but several veterans of
the Norfolk and Suffolk Yacht Club can, through their forbears,
prove the existence of regattas upon Wroxham and Oulton
Broads during the past hundred years. In those days they
were called " water frolics," and the craft were very different
in shape and rig to the present up-to-date racing machines.

A hundred years ago it was the custom of certain
residents in Bloat erville (Great Yarmouth) and the neighbour-
ing village of Caistor to betake themselves to the river once
a year to see the boats sail past on their way to Wroxham
Regatta. To-day that custom is still followed, although there
are daily, throughout the yachting season, so many visitors
on the river bank that the slight increase on the occasion in
question is hardly noticeable.

From 1800 to 1850 the improvement of Broadland pleasure-
craft was slight, but during 1850 to 1870 a development
of speed, appearance and comfort became marked. This was
materially increased in the following ten years, and as each
year succeeded the other, new craft made their appearance.
Boat-builders' yards sprang up, and boat-racing became the
all-absorbing sport of the summer months.

To what degree this pastime has taken hold of the natives
and visitors of Broadland can now be seen.

The first boat of any prominence at all remembered was
the old Maria, built by Mr Brown of Great Yarmouth, in the
spring of 1834, for a Mr Plowman of Normandstone, near
Lowestoft ; " heart of oak " was the material selected, and each
plank was critically examined before being passed, which
probably accounts for her marvellous preservation.

At the death of Mr Plowman the Maria passed into the
hands of Mr Gilbert of Cantley by reason of his marriage
with Miss Plowman, but he did not own her long.

In the year 1837 she was purchased by Sir Jacob Preston,

240

BROADLAND SPORT

Bart., of Beeston Hall, near Barton Broad, and she remained in
his possession until the date of his death, 1894. From the
commencement of her new ownership she entered upon a very
successful racing career, her first winning bracket being
secured at Wroxham water frolic, when she beat the
Leviathan, Louisa, and several others which had pre-
viously made their names famous.

Between 1837 and 1840 the reputation of the Maria as a
crack local racing yacht was enviable and she was considered the
fastest boat afloat. This was once pretty clearly demonstrated
at Wroxham Regatta, where the Maria attended as usual

THE MARIA ON BARTON BROAD.

to compete for the open cup advertised by the committee to be
sailed for ; but as all the other yachts present refused to cross
the starting-line on the ground of the absurdity of attempting
to lower her ever-victorious colours, her owner withdrew her
name from the race and the cup was sailed for by the other
boats. After a very exciting race the cup was won by and
presented to the Hornet, but the crew engaged to sail the
Maria were so exasperated at being done out of their extra
prize money, they boarded the Llornet, and a free fight ensued,
in which the man who held the cup was knocked overboard
— cup and all.

An obliging diver appeared on the scene, and in considera-

YACHTING DURING THE PAST 241

tion of the sum of half-a-sovereign recovered the lost trophy,
with which, safely stowed away in her lockers, the Hornet got
up sail and made all haste towards Yarmouth. When the
crew of the Maria heard of this their anger rekindled, and
they also crowded on every stitch of canvas possible, with a
view to overtaking the Hornet and renewing hostilities, but the
latter boat had obtained such a good start that she was never
overtaken, although she received some little damage from a
few volleys of stones which the partizans of the Maria hurled
at her when passing Horning Village on Sir Jacob Preston's
estate. In those happy days of yore sport on the Broads
hardly seems to have been confined to yacht-racing pure and
simple.

The chief antagonists of the Maria were the Red Rover
and the Pearl, both very much larger vessels; the smaller
boats refused to enter against her on the ground that it was
useless for them to do so.

In 1839 the Maria beat the Red Rover at Oulton Broad, at
Wroxham in 1842 (including the Pearl), at Great Yarmouth in
1843, and again at Wroxham on a later date. The Red Rover
was known throughout England as a racer. She was the winner
of over 120 cups, and will be more particularly referred to later.

After 1850 the Maria was not regularly raced, but she
attended all regattas, and so good was the workmanship and
material expended on her that her only repairs worthy of the
name for fifty years consisted of a new stem, two or three
planks, and one new suite of sails. In 1897 her absence from
WTroxham Regatta was commented upon for the first time in
sixty years, yet in spite of all her wear and tear she was
considered as good and as sound as ever.

The Maria being lateen - rigged, her mainmast was
stepped just abaft the midship section, and it is a fact well
worthy of notice that when her lines were taken off in 1885
her displacement was found to be in accordance with the then
latest theory of Mr Colin Archer as to what is the best form
for speed.

It is remarkable to be able to record that in 1887 the

Q

242 BROADLAND SPORT

Maria was raced quite in her old form, upon Barton Broad,
by Sir Jacob Preston and his son Mr T. Preston. She again
beat everything in her class, although she was sailing with
the same crew, the same sails, and nearly all her original
gear of fifty years previously ; the only additions that could
be traced were a new garboard strake and some new spars.

At his death (1894), it is rumoured that Sir Jacob
Preston left by will a provision sufficient to preserve this
veteran yacht in good order and up-keep for all time.

The old Sylph, belonging to Colonel Harvey of Thorpe,
near Norwich, was another great antagonist to the Maria, but,
the patriarch of all Broadland boats was undoubtedly the
Augusta, built in 1755 or thereabouts. Colonel H. M.
Leathes of Herringfleet Hall states that she retained
practically all her old material up to 1867, and that he last
saw her about 1885 in a dyke at Buckenham Ferry,
where she was affording a home to an artist who was
living in her for the winter. She would then be 130
years old.

Another wonderful racer was the Enchantress, built about
1850, by Mr Green of Wroxham, to replace his old craft, the
Widgeon. She was at first lateen-rigged, measuring nineteen
feet on the ram, with a counter seven feet long, beam, nine feet,
and draught of water four feet ; her foreyard was sixty feet. In
1867 she was bought by Mr O. Diver of Great Yarmouth ; six
feet were added to her bows, she was converted into a ten-ton
cutter, and her racing days received new life, which were con-
tinued with more or less success for some years. At the
present day she may be met with labouring along under the
management of tourist crews. What an ignominious ending
to a proud career!

In the forties the fastest racing craft of Broadland were
lateeners, which invariably beat the so-called cutters, and by
the rules of racing they were compelled, to grant a time
allowance.

Prominent amongst the lateens may be mentioned the
following : — Sir Jacob Preston's Maria ; Mr Thornton's

YACHTING DURING THE PAST 243

Naverino of Beccles ; Mr Bonfellow's (of Normandstone, near
Lowestoft), Coriander; the Leander of Bungay; Messrs
Morgan's Phcenix of Norwich ; Mr Green's Widgeon ; Mr W.
Everitt's (of North Cove Hall, near Beccles), Hornet ; Colonel
Wilson's Atcdanta and Mr Webster's Lotus, both of Beccles ;
Admiral Preston's Novelty, but this latter boat was really a
nondescript rig and she was subsequently altered to a yawl.
There were, of course, many others that unfortunately can-
not be called to memory.

During the forties there were but few cutters built. The
most prominent were Mr T. T. Berney's Meteor of Morton
(this gentleman was a great supporter of sport in the country,
and, it may be added, he was one of the first to start yacht-
racing in these waters), Sir William Beauchamp Proctor's Pearl
of Hardley, near Loddon, and Mr Burroughs Wallace of Nor-
wich, and Captain Coster's Bed Lancer. The latter boat was
originally named the Kestrel, but she was renamed by her new-
owner, who altered and re-rigged her ; but eventually she was
sold to that great Norwich celebrity, Mr W. Butcher, who
gave her back her original name.

At this time Colonel Harvey of Thorpe Lodge, a good
all-round sportsman, was one of the great supporters of the
water frolics, and was often to be seen on the deck of the
Augusta, Maria, Phcenix, Queen Mab, or his own boat, the
Sylph. The Waterwitch, a sixteen-foot boat, belonging to
Mr Robert Etheridge of Thorpe, was one of the startling
successes among racers, and the commodious barge, Rob Roy,
is worthy of mention, if only for the fact that she was the
forerunner of a large class of boats of which more hereafter.

The Waterwitch was a lateen, designed and built by Mr
Etheridge in the year 1818, which date is identified by her
subsequent owner Mr P. E. Hansell, who narrates how an
old shipwright at Etheridge's boathouses was wont to fix all
subsequent events from the origin of her launching — " Ter
Worterwitch wor lornched the daay Painter " [the celebrated
Norfolk pugilist] " fought the Black on Mussel 'eath " [Mouse-
hold Heath, near Norwich].

244 BROADLAND SPORT

The greatest water frolic of the Norwich folk during the
forties was held at Thorpe Gardens, where the county families
and all other the nobility and gentry, as the announcements de-
scribed them, would assemble and crowd with their families
towards Captain King's meadow to seek sport, music and
seclusion (!) for the moderate outlay of half-a-crown. But
these gatherings were held too far up stream to encourage
much sailing, and the sport was mostly confined to rowing
matches.

In the fifties the cutters became more fashionable, and the
time allowance given by the lateen-rigged grew shorter and
shorter, until it was taken off altogether and both lateens
and cutters sailed on even terms.

Prominent amongst the racing cutters may be mentioned
the Kestrel, belonging to Mr W. Butcher of Norwich, and
three boats from Aylesham (Dr Morton's Oberon, Mr
Smith's Daphne, and Mr Scott's Sphinx*) ; Mr Frances's
Venus of Beccles; Mr Blyth's Long Looked for Come at
Last of Great Yarmouth ; Mr T. M. Read's Belvidere of Nor-
wich, and Mr Tomlinson's Vindex of Great Yarmouth.

From 1840 to 1860 the ideal model of a racing boat may
perhaps be characteristically described as " a cod's head bow
with a mackerel tail " ; the floor was flat, long and very much
hollowed out below the water-line. Dead wood and forefoot
were believed to hold boats up to windward, which theory did
not explode until the nineties. An observer would not fail to
notice that if one of these old models was taken, the dead wood
cut away and the hull elongated from the water-line, the result
would very nearly approach an up-to-date racing model ; the
difference not being so great as one would imagine.

With regard to rig, the so-called cutters were rigged as
sloops, having a long gaff' and an over-large mainsail and jib,
foresails not being practical.

The lateens were rigged very differently. A short fore-
mast, stepped right in the eyes of the boat with a rake for'ard,
supported an enormous lateen foresail, the foreyard of which

* Pronounced by local watermen Spinax (?).

< S

246 BROADLAND SPORT

ranged from eighteen feet to fifty-six feet, whilst the mizzen-
mast was rigged with another lateen sail or a large gaff-
mizzen — equal to the mainsail of any similar-sized boat.

In the fifties the lateeners were divided into three classes,
fourteen feet, sixteen feet and nineteen feet on ram — from
outside stem to sternpost — but later in the sixties Mr W. S.
Everitt built a lateener twenty-one feet in length, rigged with
a foreyard of sixty-three feet, six and a half inches diameter
at the sling. So long was this yard that a sliding gunter had
to be fitted to it for reefing purposes. Lateeners were wonders
to sail near the wind, and were very handy in the narrow,
tortuous waterways, although their sails were cumbersome to
hoist, to cover up and to reef. In running before the wind
it was not unusual to meet with mishap, as in the narrow rivers
it was almost impossible to ease the sails in a squall, and
occasionally a boat would run down head foremost. Apart
from this a lateen foresail was an ideal sail to back a craft off
the mud with.

During this decade three prominent boats put in an ap-
pearance— Mr Green's Enchantress (nineteen feet) ; Mr
Crow's Elizabeth (sixteen feet), of Horning, and Mr Blake
Humphrey's Miranda (nineteen feet) of Wroxham.

Even in those days (the early forties) there were cranks as
well as smart craft, and the former will perhaps be sufficiently
dealt with if two of them are mentioned.

Lieutenant Kisby, R.N., introduced the first, a boat called
the Bermuda. She was a craft with little freeboard, plenty of
sheer, and a long single mast raking aft which carried a three-
cornered sail running up her mast on hoops, and an ordinary jib
for'ard. She was fairly fast although she did not do what
was expected of her by her owner, and eventually sank into
oblivion.

The second was introduced by Captain Preston of
Lowestoft, and appropriately named the Experiment, a
follower of his former boat, the Novelty. She had no timbers
at all but was built by moulding a hull of very thin planking,
which was plastered over with canvas and tar; when dry

YACHTING DURING THE PAST 247

another casing of wood was laid over the first one diagonally
and covered with another casing of canvas and tar. This
casing process was repeated again and again until, it is said,
no less than three barrels of tar were used in her construction.
But misfortune followed in her wake, for, when launched, she
started leaking, and on account of her curious build it was im-
possible to discover the whereabouts of the leak ; and she was
never of much use as a racer, nor indeed for anything else,
as she was rigged with two lug sails, the cloths of one of them
being alternately blue and white, and of the other alternately
red and white, she was one of the most conspicuous of craft at
Broadland water frolics.

An amusing incident once happened in connection with
these sails. Early in the season, shortly after fitting out, the
captain came cruising up the course, when suddenly a gust of
wind converted his sails to rags, or rather blew out all the
coloured part of them (which the dye had rotted), leaving only
the white stripes hanging gridiron fashion upon his yards. So
far as is known this is the first instance on record in the
annals of Broadland yachting where the theory of a practical
use of sails upon a racing boat, with holes in them to let the
wind through, has been tried.

In 1858 the-cutter yacht, Belvidere, was built by Harrod of
Great Yarmouth for Mr T. M. Read. She proved a most decided
success from the date of her launch, beating the lateeners
Enchantress, Vampire and Elizabeth continually. She also
added more renown to her name by leading such yachts as the
Kestrel and Argonaut (an eighteen-tonner) round a full course,
and passing the winning post ahead on her merits, they being
all larger than herself. The Belvidere continued to be the
fastest vessel of her size from 1858 to 1872, winning a great
number of prizes; during the latter half of this period she
was owned by Mr W. Clabburn of Thorpe.

In 1885 she passed into the hands of Mr Harvey-George
of Gorlestone, and was altered, raised and renamed the
Cynthia. She was twenty-four feet long on the ram, and
measured nine tons. Being a deeper-bodied yacht than the

248

BROADLAND SPORT

racers of her time her accommodation was much superior to
others.

On summarising it will be found that from 1840 to 1850
racing craft consisted almost entirely of lateeners and large
cutters, but from 1850 to 1855 smaller cutters appeared and
mixed with the lateen, accepting a time allowance of half a
minute per foot.

About 1855 the establishment of a club was attempted,
which was called " The Amateur Yacht Club," but it fell to

THE ELEVEN-TONKERS STARTING FROM FIXED MOORINGS, WITH JIBS DOWN, ON
OULTON BROAD.

pieces after a life of only three months, owing to the
originators spending all the subscribed funds on the opening
cruise (?).

During the years 1855 to 1859 cutters separated more or
less from lateeners, and in 1859, what is now known as the
Royal Norfolk and Suffolk Yacht Club sprang into existence
and boats became classified by tonnage.

The origin of this club, of which the Prince of Wales was
patron, is interesting. Prior to its inauguration (1859), racing
craft were measured and time allowance was calculated upon

YACHTING DURING THE PAST 249

the ram, which was the measurement from the top of the stem
to the top of the sternpost, every other latitude being allowed
free and unhampered. Consequently boats favoured excessive
beam and absurdly long overhanging sterns and counter-
sterns ; so much so, that the helmsman sometimes appeared to
be forward of amidships.

With the growing popularity of racing another evil
became apparent to yachtsmen. There was no means of con-
trolling the behaviour of watermen, who were necessary to
the full enjoyment of the sport. So flagrant were the offences
of the more turbulent of this body of men that matters were
brought to a crisis after the water frolic on Burgh Flats in
1858, when the crews of two racing yachts boarded one
another, lashed their craft together and fought out their
•differences to the bitter end.

After this certain gentlemen well-known in Broadland
-called together a meeting at ,the Maid's Head Hotel, Norwich,
■at which the following {inter alia) were present : — Mr R. N.
Burroughs, Mr B. Branford, Mr F. Brown, Mr F. Dowson,
Mr W. Jecks, Mr W. Everitt, Mr W. Mann, Mr H. Morgan,
Mr J. B. Morgan, Mr W. S. Everitt, Mr W. Millard, Dr R. K.
Morton, Mr T. M. Read and Colonel Wilson.

At this meeting, held on the 9th April 1859, existing
grievances were discussed, and a club was formed which hoped
to exercise some sort of control at future regattas ; the
proposed name was subject-matter for much discussion, but
eventually the present title without its prefix was agreed
upon, and by way of compliment to the Suffolk members, who
were in the minority, Colonel Wilson was elected the first
Commodore of the club. Mr C. W. Millard was appointed
Secretary, and Mr H. Morgan, Treasurer. Rules were discussed
and framed, flags chosen, and a sum of thirty pounds subscribed
in the room to purchase a club challenge cup — in order that
history might not repeat itself.

The Committee consisted of the following yachtsmen — : Mr
W. Jecks (Norwich), Mr H. P. Green (Norwich), Mr A. J. N.
Ohamberlin (Wroxham), Mr W. Henry Scott (Aylsham), Mr

YACHTING DURING THE PAST 251

W. Frederick Green (Wroxham), and the Officers of the^Club.
The entrance fee was three guineas and the annual subscrip-
tion one.

With influential men at its back the club became a success
from the first, and within a few days of its inauguration
upwards of sixty members were enrolled upon its books at
an annual subscription of a guinea each.

The burgee originally chosen had a white ground with a
blue margin and a red Maltese cross in its centre ; but it was
changed to a white ground with the Prince of Wales feathers
upon receiving the Royal Patronage, which was on the 16th
of February 1867.

As an ensign the club selected a white flag with the Jack
in the corner and a large Prince of Wales feathers in the fly.
The Royal Yacht Squadron at once took exception to it on the
ground that it resembled the white ensign which they were the
only club entitled to fly. Major H. M. Leathes was one of the
members deputed by the club to interview the authorities, but
Captain Beauchamp Seymour (afterwards Lord Alcester)
insisted on the flag being disused, which was followed by
an order from the Admiralty.

A red ensign was next selected with the Prince of Wales
Feathers, which produced a further order from the Admiralty
to strike out the Royal feathers from the fly ; eventually a
red ensign, with the alteration above alluded to, was passed
and the burgee was at the same time altered from a white to
a red ground.

One of the first steps the club took was to alter the
rules of measurement to the tonnage system based upon
length and width, no shifting ballast and limited crews.
This was advocated by Mr T. M. Read and successfully
carried into effect. Next the Committee assumed to them-
selves power to suspend or excommunicate any waterman or
other person from sailing in any club race upon just and
sufficient cause shown.

Three annual fixtures were decided upon as follows : —
Cantley in June, Wroxham in July, and Oulton in August.

252

BROADLAND SPORT

After the club was formed the yachts were at first divided
into two classes. Class I., Cutters. Class II., Lateeners.
Most of the meetings were confined to two races daily, and in
Class I. the smaller yachts were allowed to compete on the
usual time allowance. The course was about six to eight
miles, and the prizes offered were more valuable, although it
can hardly be said they were less coveted than they are now.

The inauguration meeting of the new club was held at
Cantley on the 16th June 1859, and a course of eight
miles marked out. The events of the day were divided into
two races. The entries for the first included the following
yachts : —

NAME OF YACHT.

RIG. j

TONNAGE.

OWNER.

Argonaut

Cutter *

9

Mr E. S. Trafford

Belvidere

Cutter

9

Mr T. M. Read

Kestrel

Cutter

12

Mr W. Butcher

Sphinx

Cutter

7

Mr W. H. Scott

Tantivy

Cutter

6

Mr J. B. Morgan

Oberon

Cutter

5

Mr R. K. Morton

Clara

Cutter

3

Mr F. P. Smith

Union

Cutter

3

Mr A. J. N. Chamberlin

Little John

Cutter

1

Mr S. Young

Enchantress

Lateen or
Fore and
Mizzen

6

Mr H. P. Green

Maud

Do.

10

Mr J. R. Asher

Atalanta

Do.

7

Col. G. Wilson

Oaprey

Do.

6

Mr E. Swatman

Ida

Do.

4

Mr A. Master

Amateur

Do.

6

Mr F Brown

A considerable amount of interest was centred -in this,
race by reason of the new rules and measurements introduced,
and because it was not definitely known which class (cutter
or lateen) under the new regime was likely to hold the
supremacy. The new allowance on measurement was a minute

* The term cutter is a local misnomer, as these yachts were sloop rigged.

inns.

38

sees.

o
0

42

15

42

40

46

40

YACHTING DURING THE PAST 255

per ton, irrespective of the distance sailed, and the Enchantress
had many partizans, who increased in number when it was
found to be blowing half a gale on the morning of the race.

A most spirited contest ensued, and the times of the lead-
ing boats were as follows : —

hr.

Belvidere . . . . 1

Oberon .... 1

Kestrel .... 1

Tantivy .... 1

The result of this race was an acknowledged victory for
the cutters and heralded the decline of lateens. Several
mishaps befell the competing yachts, which perhaps should
be recorded, as, had all gone well, the Oberon would un-
doubtedly have won the race. She was disqualified on
account of her breaking the rule as to the limitation of her
crew, whilst the two three-ton cutters, the Clara and the
Union, carried away part of their rigging, which compelled
them to retire.

The second race, which was confined to foresail and
mizzen-rigged yachts, was sailed over the same course, and the
following were entered: —

Osprey Mr E. Swatman.

Maud Mr J. R. Asher.

Atalanta .... Col. G. Wilson.

Amateur .... Mr F. Brown.

Ida Mr A. Master.

The Ida, for some reason or other, did not start and the-
race finished as follows : —

Osprey
Atalanta .
Amateur .
Maud

Other regattas followed, and each centre organised its-
own meetings as well, so that yacht-racing became firmly

hrs. mins.

sees.

4 0

47

4 5

34

4 11

10

Not timed.

254

BROADLAND SPORT

established as one of the leading sports of Broadland.
During the seventies the most exciting and perhaps the best
matches were between the ten-ton boats, such as the Elaine,
Alarm, Lethe, Firefly, Maud, Scud, etc., and the owners of
these craft enjoyed the dual pleasure of being able to live in
comfort aboard.

The Hilda was a boat built by Major H. M. Leathes of
Herringfleet Hall for sea and river work, also with a view
to racing. She had enormous spars and carried a large
spread of canvas, but in so far as racing was con-
cerned proved herself
somewhat of a dis-
appointment. ThzLake
Lily, another of Major
Leathes's numerous
craft, was originally a
ship's boat. On being
washed ashore at Great
Yarmouth she was sold
by auction for 80s.,
Major Leathes buying
her afterwards for £3.
He had her fitted up
for river work, with
tent cabin and many ingenious contrivances, which increased
her value some twenty fold.

LAKE LILY.

COMMODORES OF THE CLUB.

Since its Institution in 1859.

DATE.

NAME.

YACHT.

RESIDENCE.

1859
1860
1861
1862
1863

Colonel Wilson
E. S. Trafford, Esq.
W. H. Scott, Esq.
Fred Brown, Esq.
R. J. H. Harvey,
Esq.

Atalanta

Argonaut

Sphinx

Amateur

Myth

Beccles

Wroxham

Aylsham

Norwich

Brundall

YACHTING DURING THE PAST

255

DATE.

NAME.

YACHT.

RESIDENCE.

1864-5

W. H. Clabburn,
Esq.

Belvidere

Thorpe

1866-8

Major H. M. Leathes

Waveney Queen

Herringfleet

1869

RE. Hansell, Esq.

Glance

Thorpe

1870

J. Tomlinson, Esq.

Vindex

Gt. Yarmouth

1871

J. B. Morgan, Esq.

Scud

Norwich

1872

H. E. Buxton, Esq.

Curlew

Gt. Yarmouth

1873

F. G. Foster, Esq.

Spray

Norwich

1874

B. V. Winch, Esq.

Alarm

Norwich

1875

Henry Morgan, Esq.

Firefly

Norwich

1876

Col. H. M. Leathes

Waveney Queen

Herringfleet

1877

Joseph Stanley, Esq.

Zoe

Norwich

1878

J. J. Colman, Esq.,
M.P.

Wanderer I.

Norwich

1879

J. P. Hall, Esq.

Alarm

Gt. Yarmouth

1880-1

E. Birkbeck, Esq.
M.P.

Florence

Horstead

1882

B. V. Winch, Esq.

Arrow

Norwich

1883

W. Cooper- Brown,
Esq.

Kiama

Haynford

1884

T. M. Read, Esq.

Zephyr

Norwich

1885-7

Sir Charles Harvey,
Bart.

\ Midge )
{ Swallow )

Rainthorpe Hall

1888-9

John Lee Barber,
Esq.

Wanderer II.

Lowestoft

1890

Sir E. Birkbeck, Bt.

Florence

Horstead

1891

W. Cooper-Brown,
Esq.

Kiama

Thorpe, Norwich

1892

Sir R. Palmer, Bart.

Keenaghmore

Maidenhead

1893

Wm. Cadge, Esq.

Phantom,

Norwich

1894-5

Lt.-Cl.Preston,R.A.

Phoenix

Fishley

1896-9

T. M. Read, Esq.

Bella Donna
and Meneen

Norwich

1900-2

R. J. Colman, Esq.

Castanet and
Tugela

Norwich

The starting of the Norfolk and Suffolk Yacht Club gave
a great stimulus to racing, and new yachts soon began to
show themselves. Wanderer I. was one of the most prominent.
Originally she was a fourteen-tonner built by James Hastings
of Great Yarmouth for Mr Jecks, but she soon afterwards
changed hands, becoming the property of Mr J. Lee Barber,

256

BROADLAND SPORT

who raced her with considerable success for many years.
Eventually she was ag^in sold to Mr J. J. Col man of
Norwich, who twice lengthened her in the bows until her
ton measurement was increased from fourteen to twenty tons
or thereabout. After this lengthening she never raced on
fresh waters, although she occasionally competed in the Road-
steads against such boats as the RhI Rover, Kiama and the
Frederica — a visiting yacht belonging to Mr Pochin.

" LETHE.

The Lethe (subsequently re-named the Foe) was another
good boat in her day. She was owned by Mr Joseph Stanley
of Norwich.

In 1860 Mr Samuel Nightingale bought the Red Rover >
which had not then been regularly raced for several years.
He altered, refitted and improved her every year, and she was.
very soon the acknowledged crack of the Norfolk and Suffolk
Yacht Club, which proud position she retained until 1885„
when, owing to the health of her owner, she was withdrawn
from the racing world. To give some idea of her alterations.

YACHTING DURING THE PAST 2 si

it may be mentioned that she grew from about fourteen to
twenty tons between the years 1861 and 1883. In 1888 she
was broken up and the materials sold.

Without doubt the Red Rover was accountable for the
increased tonnage amongst local yachts, to prove which may
be called to mind the Argonaut, eighteen tons ; the Alabama
(afterwards renamed the Water Lily) fourteen tons, owned
by Mr F. Green ; the Little Yankee, fourteen tons, which was
built at Cowes; the Emerald, a schooner of eighteen tons
belonging to Sir Thomas Beauchamp, Bart. ; the Kitten,
twelve tons, which was built by Harvey of Wivenhoe, was a
great success at sea but a total failure on inland waterways,
and was owned by Mr Clabburn of Norwich; the Eva Mary,
eighteen tons, belonging to Sir Harry Bullard ; Waveney
Queen, a yawl of twenty-four tons, owned by Major H. M.
Leathes ; Marguerite, five tons, owned by Mr Ket Thompson ;
Zephyr, fifteen tons, belonging to Mr T. M. Read; Rover,
sixteen tons (Mr T. H. Palmer); Vampire, ten tons,
(Mr W. S. Everitt) ; Amateur, six tons, built by Etteridge of
Thorpe (Mr F. Brown) ; Wanderer I. (Mr W. Jecks) ; Vixen;
nine tons, and the Atalanta (Colonel Wilson) ; Sphinx, five
tons (Mr W. H. Scott) ; the Myth, nine tons, a half decker
(Mr R. J. H. Harvey, afterwards Sir Robert Harvey, Bart.) ;
and the Glance, eleven tons (Mr P. E. Hansel).

These yachts soon proved to be too big for river racing,
and their size began to diminish in favour of ten-tonners,
whilst the larger yachts degenerated into cruisers.

In 1861 Mr Ket Thompson introduced an American " centre-
board " yacht as a new class of racing craft in the five-ton
Marguerite; she was Una-rigged, under-canvassed and alto-
gether too small to compete successfully with other boats of
her time. A considerable local outcry was also raised against
the fairness of this innovation. Soon after her appearance the
centre board was removed in favour of a deep lead keel, a long
counter was added, and her name changed to the Fleur de Lys,
under which she won many races until the year 1870. In
1862 another attempt to introduce the centre board was

R *

258

BROADLAND SPORT

made by the then High Sheriff of the county, Mr R. J. H.
Harvey (afterwards Sir Robert Harvey, Bart.), who purchased
the Myth, a yacht of nine tons built by Ratsey of Cowes.
She was considerably altered (in order that she might pass

the club rules) as follows :

— a moderate counter, the

sliding centre plate taken

out, her keel fixed an4 an

enormous spread of canvas

added. In light weather

she was a success and beat

the Red Rover. This boat

V \ was the forerunner of a class

\l % that held the sway until

m, ^ 1883, having as their chief

^^k ' vk characteristic a flat floor and

^P ^k deep lead keel; the Lethe,

Zoe, Elaine, Alarm, Plum-
tom, Maud, Firefly, Gem and
Witch may be mentioned as
boats of this type.
These yachts were all large
Li^Jfc J^j^LL^dH compared with the modern

craft which frequent Broad-
land at the present ' day,
and for ten or fifteen years
the Red Rover (S. Night-
ingale) reigned supreme.
Elated at her success at
home, she, in 1863, ventured
to the Thames, where she
entered for the Seventy
Guinea Wedding Cup, presented the year H.R.H. the Prince of
Wales was married, which was won by the Octoroon. The Red
Rover, being unfortunate in carrying away her crosstrees, did not
show up at the finish. But later, at Hunstanton, in a light
wind, she (the Red Rover) beat all the Northern boats with

THE " MAUD.

YACHTING DURING THE PAST 259

the greatest of ease, thus proving herself to be equally as good
at sea as she was upon the rivers and lagoons of Broad-
land.

The year following the Red Rover was converted from a
clincher into a carvel-built vessel, which improved her
speed.

During the sixties, cutters (by reason of the new measure-
ment) grew longer, narrower and more wall -sided, free-
board was lowered, and in bad weather their decks became
very wet and uncomfortable.

In 1862 the fashion changed somewhat to increased beam
and reduced tonnage. Mr D. Hatcher built the Queen for
Colonel Whitbread of Rush-mere, near Ipswich ; she was a
sea-going vessel, fifteen tons, drawing eight and a half feet of
water, with high freeboard, and soon became noted as a racer.
The following yachts were also prominent during that year :
— In the cutter class, the Kestrel, twelve tons (Mr W. Butcher) ;
Wanderer I., fourteen tons (Mr J. Lee Barber) ; Union, three
tons (Mr A. J. N. Chamberlin) ; Wallace (Mr G. Y. Collinson) ;
Isabella (Mr C. H. Chamberlin) ; Maude, one ton (Mr F. G.
Foster) ; Foam (Mr F. Frere) ; Phoenix (Mr T. S. Jackson) ;
Oberon, five tons (Mr R. K. Morton) ; Bittern, seven tons
(Messrs J. B. & H. Morgan) ; Red Rover, fourteen tons (Mr S.
Nightingale); Rover, sixteen tons (Mr T. H. Palmer); Flirt,
two tons (Mr J. Playford) ; Belvidere, nine tons (Mr T. M.
Read) ; Augusta, six tons (Mr B. Russell) ; Sphinx (Mr W. H.
Scott) ; Phoenix, four tons (Mr W. Stewart) ; Daphne and
Clara (Mr F. P. Smith); Argonaut (Mr E. S. T r afford) ;
Marguerite (Mr H. K. Tomlinson); Medora (Mr J. Tomlinson) ;
and the Fairy (Mr W. S. Young). The Sylph, a schooner of
107 tons, was owned by Mr W. H. Trafford.

In the lateen class : —

Ripple (Mr W. B. Bramford) ; Amateur (Mr F. Brown) ;
Brenda (Mr J. Day); Vampire, ten tons (Mr W. S. Everitt) ;
Merlin, four tons (Mr J. Foster) ; Enchantress, six tons (Mr
H. P. Green) ; Merlin, four tons (Mr A. J. Hubbard) ; and the
Ariel (Mr W. Mann).

260

BROADLAND SPORT

In 1862 the total membership of the Norfolk and Suffolk
Yacht Club was about ninety all told. As the club grew and
prospered the water frolics of old gave place to well-organised
regattas, at which the racing was watched with much interest
and the sailing regulated by strict rules, which were rigorously
enforced. It may not be considered out of place if a word
is here added regarding the most important of these gather-
ings which was annually held near Great Yarmouth.

This greatest of all water frolics of olden times was a day

L#

THE OLD TYPE OF SIXTEEN-FOOTERS RACING ON BURGI

to be remembered, not so much by reason of the sailing
capabilities of the boats which competed, as for the re-
miniscence of individual adventure. Everybody looked upon
it as a duty they owed to society to get more or less elevated
in spirits towards the close of the day, from those in highest
authority to the lowest of the low.

Burgh Water Frolic, now a fixture of the past, was
annually held, from time immemorial, upon Burgh Flats
at the westernmost end of Breydon Water. It was a gathering
which everybody in the district attended, and was looked
forward to from one year to another with great expectation.

YACHTING DURING THE PAST 261

Until the sixties it was customary for the Mayor and
Corporation of the Borough of Great Yarmouth to attend the
meeting in state, and a special wherry was chartered some
weeks beforehand, in order that it might be repainted and
decorated in honour of the occasion. Sitting in the midst
of a profusion of bunting and gaudy colours, the Borough
fathers contemplated the aquatic contests, imbibing the
while choice wines and consuming other delicacies which
were provided at the expense of the Mayor for the time
being.

Of course a band of music was in attendance, and they too
were allotted a special craft, generally one of the roomy boats
which were used for ferrying fish from the fishing-smacks in
the roadsteads to the beach — all fish used to be landed on the
beach in those days. This boat was also painted in many
colours and highly decorated.

After a few hours spent watching the races, the dignified
councillors, with the Corporation officials at their head, pro-
ceeded in state to the " Burgh Cage " (a meadow upon which
the cement works now stand), under the shadow of the walls of
the ancient Roman fortress, there to partake of a generous
lunch, from which the majority of those who sat down returned
in a less dignified manner than they went.

No wonder that the country folks, the town folks, and
everybody who owned, or could borrow, a boat made their
way to Burgh Water Frolic when it received such patronage ;
and the attendance was favoured, in that the town and
neighbourhood made the date a general holiday, giving their
employes a day's leave of grace — sometimes with a day's pay
to boot.

After lunch, which, as might be expected, was usually
somewhat prolonged, the whole flotilla of boats made their
way as best they could to Cobholm Island, and moored along
the shores just below the Knole Point, in order to witness
aquatic sports, followed in the evening by a grand display
of fireworks, at which all Yarmouth was present.

A curious coincidence happened to the author's father in

262

BROADLAND SPORT

connection with one of these frolics, which is worthy of
repetition.

The morning fixed for the frolic proved a very blustering
one, and when it blows on Breydon Water navigation is
no joke, especially in one of the old style of boats, with
their straight, deep sterns, cut-away bows and mass of
dead wood for'ard. Well, to get along with the yarn. The
Mayor and city dignitaries arrived, the banks were thronged
with people, the waters were crowded with craft of all kinds,

and the band was
duly moored in the
most conspicuous
position just off the
course, in a boat
gaudily got up in
the usual style.

During the first
race for the big
yachts, the wind
was blowing half a
gale and the band
was compelled to
play for all they
were worth to
make themselves
heard at all. Whilst
they were thus straining at their instruments, one of the
larger yachts, which was over-canvassed, got the upper
hand of her helmsman and ran away. Despite all the
efforts of her crew she touched the mud and instantly
shot up into the wind, running stem on into the band-
boat, upsetting her and precipitating the musician crew into
the water.

Great commotion ensued and a number of boats put off to
the rescue, but the most ludicrous sight of all was to see the
big drum sailing merrily away to leeward, towards the " Dicky
works," over the Breydon Flats, with a ship's boat and a

THE "MARS.

YACHTING DURING THE PAST

263

gunning punt in chase manned by amateur crews in the form
of a couple of mud-bedrabbled bandsmen.

Fortunately, no one was much the worse for the mishap,
but several of the instruments were lost, and now follows the
remarkable part of the story. Just twenty years afterwards
the author's father,
who had seen all that
is above related, was
yachting on Breydon
Water on the anni- 9n
versary of that parti-
cular day, and seeing
a man trawling for
fish, he rowed over to
him in the dinghy in
the hope of making a
suitable purchase for
the morrow's breakfast.
What was his astonish-
ment when the man, in
place of fish, produced
a cornet that he had
just taken out of his
net, which he was able
to identify as belonging
to Tom Cosgrove, the
leader of the band,
who was upset at the
Burgh Water Frolic
that very day, and almost at
years previously.

WAVENEV QUEEN.

that very hour, just twenty

With the establishment of the Yacht Club and numerous
annual fixtures or regattas at which yacht-racing and not feast-
ing was the main object of the gathering, the term * water
frolic" rapidly died into disuse, and soon became almost
forgotten ; now only a native of the remoter parts, and

264 BROADLAND SPORT

he an old one, would understand the meaning of the
expression.

Among the most prominent of sea-going yachts owned
by a Broadlander may be mentioned the Mars, purchased
in 1881 by Mr J. J. Colman, M.P., from Mr R. E. Burroughs.
She was built at Lymington in 1873 by G. Inman & Son,
and registered 41 T.M.

The first ocean yacht race of the Norfolk and Suffolk
Yacht Club (it was from Harwich to Lowestoft), came off on
Saturday, 29th June 1867, and terminatad in favour of Mr S.
Nightingale's Red Rover. The event was fixed for the
previous Thursday, but was postponed in consequence of the
unfavourable character of the weather, which was so rough
that it would have been dangerous for the competing yachts
to put to sea. The breeze continued to blow the whole of
Thursday and Friday, but on Saturday morning the wind
veered round to the south-east ; and as this was just what the
yachts wanted, it was determined, though the sea still ran
pretty high, that the race should be at once brought to an
issue. No objection was offered by any one of the com-
petitors, and it was accordingly at an early hour in the
morning the fleet assembled round the Bell buoy off Harwich.

The competing craft were four in number — the Waveney
Queen, seventeen tons (afterwards enlarged to twenty-four
tons and turned into a yawl), Colonel Leathes', then the
commodore of the club; Red Rover, cutter, fourteen tons
(afterwards enlarged to eighteen tons), Mr S. Nightingale
of Yarmouth; the Water Lily, fourteen tons, Mr H. P.
Greene of Wroxham; and the Ariel, schooner, twelve
tons, Mr T. M. Read of Yarmouth. After some slight delay
the yachts were arranged in line by the commodore, and
exactly at 9.30 a.m. a start was effected. The Red Rover
at once took the lead, followed by the Ariel, with the
Waveney Queen and Water Lily astern. About ten o'clock
the wind freshened to a smart breeze, whilst the yachts
were carrying the largest spread of canvas possible. At
half-past eleven the Lowestoft Ness was sighted, and

YACHT RACING AT HARWICH

Galatea. Tara.

THE START.

Galatea. Tara.

THE FINISH.

266 BROADLAND SPORT

in the following order the yachts entered Lowestoft
Harbour : —

Hrs. Mins. Sees.

Red Rover ... 1 50 29

Ariel .... 1 56 36

Waveney Queen 2 2 31

Water Lily ... 2 6 45

The first yacht accomplished the run, a distance of forty-
seven miles, in 4 hrs., 20 mins., 29 sees., and the last in 4 hrs.
51 mins., 45 sees. ; and as fully two hours had elapsed before
Orford Ness was rounded, some idea of the pace may be
formed from the fact that the remaining thirty miles were
performed in less than two and a half hours, which, for yachts
of small tonnage on a neap tide, must be pronounced as most
successful. It must also be remembered that these yachts were
built, with the exception of the Ariel, for the navigation of
inland waters; the time allowance of the latter was only
three minutes, and she lost the race by seven seconds.

It was intended at Harwich that eight yachts, competing
for a prize of their own, should accompany the Norfolk and
Suffolk yachts to Lowestoft, but the unfavourable weather
which prevailed on the Thursday prevented this arrangement
being carried out.

In looking at the photograph of the Waveney Queen one
cannot fail to note the enormous spars she carried. Her jib
was forty-four feet on the foot, whilst from the peak of the
gaff to the deck was no less than seventy-four feet, which
gives some idea of her vast spread of canvas. She beat the
Red Rover at sea, August 31, 1888.

Speaking generally, the East Anglian Coast is not a good
one for yachting. There is a lack of good harbours of refuge,
and a labyrinth of sandbanks from the mouth of the Thames
to the Humber, which combine to render yachtsmen very chary
of eastern waters, so that with the exception of the Harwich
Regatta week, first-class yachts are rarely seen within sight of
land, or passing up and down channel. Amongst many of the

YACHTING DURING THE PAST

267

local sandbanks there is also a dangerous " set " in the currents,
which requires to be known and allowed for when coasting,
and it is always advisable under these circumstances to make a
sea passage by day, if possible from port to port, and not to
depend too much upon the chart and bearings. However, this
makes good seamen, careful navigators, and it teaches those
who go in practically for yachting how to handle their craft
under difficult circumstances.

In running northwards from the mouth of the Thames and
passing " down swin " (by far the safest passage), about forty
miles takes one safely into the fine, and at all times accessible,
harbour of Harwich. The next stretch away to the northward
is a constant dodge in and out of sandbanks the whole way to
Lowestoft, and when once there, the harbour is not to be
approached with ease at all times of the tide. The deepest
channel to enter Lowestoft Harbour is found immediately
under the south pier-head, whilst care must be taken, if
a strong ebb tide be running, that the yacht is not suddenly

268 BROADLAND SPORT

shot up into collision with the south pier. Once fairly into
this port, perfect safetjr is reached and there are twelve feet
of water at all times of tide.

Yarmouth Harbour should never be attempted under any
circumstances unless well-known ; even then it is advisable
to take a pilot to moorings when going any distance up the
river. Better still to engage a steam tug both going in and
out of this very dangerous bar harbour. One curious point
also to remember on entering the port of Great Yarmouth is
the height of water over the bar, which does not assume
the maximum and minimum at exact high and low-water
time of tides, but some two hours afterwards. From
Yarmouth there really is no refuge worthy of the name
of " harbour " until the Humber is reached, although that
river is by no means an easy one to navigate even
partially.

About 1865 lateeners disappeared from the Broadland
racing world, and from 1870 to 1880 the cutters grew bigger
and bigger, but a smaller class was also recognised. The classes
were then divided as follows : — Class I., over ten tons ; Class
II.,. under ten tons and over six tons ; Class III., under six
tons.

Among other boats of the time (1870 to 1880) can be re-
membered the Vindex (Mr J. Tomlinson) ; the Scud (Mr J. B.
Morgan); Curlew (Mr H. E. Buxton); Alarm (Mr B. V.
Winch) ; Spray (Mr F. G. Foster) ; Firefly (Mr H. Morgan) ;
Zoe (Mr J. Stanley); Wanderer I. (Mr J. J. Colman);
Florence (Mr E. Birkbeck); Bittern, Belvidere II,
Kiama (Mr W. Cooper-Brown) ; Zephyr (Mr T. M. Read) ;
Midge and the Swallow (Sir C. Harvey, Bart.); and many
others.

The Wasp was a ten-ton cutter built about this period
by Mr Henry Kelt Thompson in his barn at Brooke, upon
lines taken from the Marguerite, and proved to be fairly
successful in her class.

About 1874 or 1875 a few private matches were organised
for lug-sail and open boats as these crafts began to be fairly

YACHTING DURING THE PAST

269

numerous on the waterways ; this originated the idea of form-
ing another club to encourage amateur yacht-sailing, as the
Norfolk and Suffolk Yacht Club refused to recognise any
boat under four tons. Also the Norfolk and Suffolk Yacht
Club employed professionals to steer and sail their boats
when racing, which, as the number of yachting men increased,
was taken exception to, not only on the ground of sport but
also of expense.

In the early part of 1876, Mr L. E. Bolingbroke of
Norwich, who had been a great supporter of yachting interests
in every shape and form, convened a meeting at Thompson's
boathouse, King
Street, Norwich, at
which Messrs B. V.
Winch, J. Youngs, C.
Dicks, R. Buttle, H.
Osborne, W. Dicks,
E. Willgrass and
others were present.
After some con-
siderable discussion
a club was formed
called the Yare
Sailing Club, for
the purpose of en-
couraging smaller

classes and amateur sailing. Mr B. V. Winch was elected
President, and Mr L. E. Bolingbroke Hon. Secretary. The
club faithfully carried out its intentions, and so well
has it prospered that it was in the Jubilee year of 1897
the largest sailing club in the world, having a membership
which numbered nearly 600.

Tn 1880 Mr Bolingbroke married, and having other more
important duties to attend to, he relinquished his office to the
Rev. G. P. Buck, who, after being secretary for several years,
was succeeded by Mr H. Kett, and in turn by Mr F. S. Culley,
the present secretary.

THE KIAMA.

270

BROADLAND SPORT

COMMODORES OF THE CLUB

Since its Formation in 1876.

DATE.

NAME.

YACHT.

RESIDENCE.

1876-8

B. V. Winch, Esq.

Alar mi

Norwich

1879

J. Chamberlin, Esq.

Para

Catton

1880-3

B. Y. Winch, Esq.

Arroiv

Norwich

1884

G. Beauchamp, Esq.

Lolypop

Langley

1885

G. C. Davies, Esq.

Swan

Norwich

1886

E. Tillyard, Esq.

Trixie

Norwich

1887-8

J. J. Colman, Esq., M.P.

Mars

Norwich

1889-91

F. Bullard, Esq.

Gitana

Catton

1892-3

Col. H. E. Preston

Phoenix

Ryde

1894-9

E. J. Poyser, Esq.

Ianthe

Beccles

1900

H. C. Bolingbroke, Esq.

Elf

Norwich

1901

G. E. Preston, Esq.

Empress of
India

Wroxham

1902

Col. P. E. Back

Wild Duck

Oulton Broad

The subscription was only five shillings per annum and
every amateur yachtsman eligible to become a member. The
regattas held by this club at once became and still are the
events of the season, so far as yachting in Broadland is
concerned, and at the Acle August fixture it is usual to see
yachts and boats of all rigs moored to the river bank on both
sides, and as near to one another as they can conveniently
get, for a mile and upwards, which shows the popularity
of the club.

The burgee has a blue ground with a yellow cross.

In 1898 an innovation was introduced into the club,
which necessitated a reorganisation of its rules and con-
stitution. After much debate it was determined to have a
large and adequately-fitted houseboat on board of which
members could obtain meals, accommodation for the night,
and any other convenience they might require. The boat
was built by Messrs Collins of Wroxham, upon solid lines, for
a registered syndicate of certain supporters of the club, who
took shares at one pound each, and the boat was let to the

YACHTING DURING THE PAST

271

club at a rental producing about five per cent to the share-
holders. In consequence of this happy addition the sub-
scription to the club was raised to ten shillings per annum,
and the scheme proved itself a great success in every way.
During the eighties boat-builders became more prominent,

RAMBLER.

and visitors, who came to spend the summer season at
Lowestoft, Great Yarmouth, Cromer and Southwold,
penetrated to the broads in considerable numbers. In con-
sequence the demand for boats increased and a new industry,
" boat-letting," was established in Broadland.

About this period (1880) Messrs Press Brothers of North
Walsham conceived the idea of raising the hatches of a

272

BROADLAND SPORT

trading wherry and filling the vacancy with glass windows,
partitioning off her hold into several cabins and upholstering
the interior with some idea of comfort. This example was
immediately followed by others, with additions and improve-
ments. These pleasure wherries are now let by the week,
including the services of two men, at prices varying from ten
to twenty guineas per week.

The first wherry fitted permanently for pleasure cruising
wTas built by Mr Fred Farr of Beccles, about 1840, but these
craft did not come into general use, nor become popular, before
1880.

Before 1880 yachts were almost all private and very few
of them could be hired by strangers, but with the sudden
popularity of the broads the various yacht-letters collected
small fleets, which, during the all-too-short season they let to
their advantage.

The idea of the pleasure wherry suggested a new craft to
the waterways, namely, barge-yachts. The first of these was
the Lotus, built by Mr T. Branf ord of Great Yarmouth ; she was
followed by the Helen (Mr Burleigh of Hales worth) and the
Kiama (Mr W. Cooper-Brown), now owned by Mr Vernon
D. Wilcock and still one of the best afloat, and many, many

others,including the
Rambler of Oulton
Broad (Messrs W. S.
Parker and J. Col-
man); Thyrza (Mr
A. Weldon); Keen-

BELOW-DECK PLAN OF THE " RAMBLEI

aghmore, twenty-six tons (Sir R. Palmer, Bart.) ; Ianthe,twenty-
four tons (Mr E. J. Poyser) ; Waveney, fifty-five tons (Mr J. T.
Poyser) now Mr F. Dowson of Norwich ; Heron, twenty tons
(Mr C. G. T. Treherne) ; and the Spider, twenty-four tons
(Mr J. R. R. Godfrey).

Amongst the early pleasure wherries, which were fitted
with all the comforts and luxuries that any ordinary tourist
to Broadland could reasonably require, may be included —
the Leisure Hour, belonging to Mr G. Grimsell of Reed ham ;

YACHTING DURING THE PAST

273

the Waveney Queen, Mr Fred Miller of Oulton Broad ; the
Dorothy, Mr F. J. Lacey of Norwich ; the Claudian, Mr G.
Smith of Wroxham ; the Chloe, Mr R. H. Dobson of London ;
the Warrior, Mr Hugh Johnson of Oulton Broad ; the
Gladys, Mr H. W. Newman of London ; the Industry, Mr
W. E. Holt of Great Yarmouth, and the Woinora, Mr J.
Womersley of Norwich.

Amongst the more modern pleasure wherries and those
which have been most magnificently fitted up, regardless of
expense, may be mentioned the twenty-six-ton Empress of
India, built for Mr G. E. Preston of Wroxham in 1896 ; the
forty-ton Gaviota, belonging to Col. H. E. Preston of Ryde,
and the thirty-ton Victoria, belonging to Mr W. G. Jones of
Brixton.

A FRIEND IN NF.ED.

(The A Ida )

WHERRIES RACING ON WROXHAM BROAD.

CHAPTER XXI

YACHTS AND YACHTING DURING THE PRESENT,
1880 TO 1900

In 1882 several yachts of the small four- ton class were built on
an entirely new model, namely, with greater depth of body,
displacement and freeboard, yet at the same time with less
beam. The Dolly, built by Messrs Hastings of Great Yarmouth
for Mr Morgan, was an extreme type in this respect, but the
Trixie, built by Mr Brighton of Southtown, Great Yarmouth,
for Mr E. Tilly ard, was a beautiful boat, and for several years
carried all before her. She was about twenty-four feet six
inches on the water-line, six feet six inch beam, with a draught of
three feet nine inches. Another boat, the eleven-ton Mocking
Bird, built for Mr Prescott Westcar, from designs by Mr Dixon
Kemp, raced at the Isle of Wight with success but was an utter
failure here ; she was rigged as a Una. In 1883 the Constance,
another Una-rigged boat, proved a failure. In 1885 Mr

274

YACHTING DURING THE PRESENT

75

Brighton turned out the Kingfisher for Mr J. E. Crisp of
Beccles, a fast and powerful boat of ten tons. She was
longer, narrower, deeper-bodied and had more freeboard than
the other yachts of her day ; and considering the great turn
of speed she showed when once given the chance to race, the
pity is that she was so seldom allowed to face the starter.

In 1886 two new twelve-ton yachts put in an appear-
ance— Wanderer II, built by Mr Brighton for Mr J. Lee Barber,

THE "RETORT."

and the Firebrand, built by Messrs Page & Chambers of
Lowestoft for Mr Fred Last. Both yachts had the new-
fashioned fiddle bows designed for ocean racing and carried an
enormous spread of canvas. ' No expense was spared on either
boat, and competition for the local prizes was very keen ; but
the Wanderer soon proved her superiority not only in Broad-
land but also at race meetings held at sea under the auspices
of the Royal Harwich Yacht Club.

In 1887 the Retort was launched from the yard of Messrs
Page & Chambers with a view to lowering the laurels of

276 BROADLAND SPORT

Wanderer II., but her owner, Mr F. Last, was again dis-
appointed. However, two years later, the pluck and deter-
mination of Mr Last was deservedly rewarded by the
Corona.

About the year 1887 a small syndicate was privately
formed for the purpose of building suitable club premises at
Lowestoft. A site was acquired from the Great Eastern
Railway Company overlooking the yacht basin and the south
pier, on which a commodious bungalow club-house was
erected, and the members of the club then numbered about
250.

In the early part of 1883 the inhabitants of that very
much go-ahead little borough and seaside resort, Great
Yarmouth, determined to have a Yacht Club of their own, and
at the instigation of Mr H. Harvey George and Mr F. Danby
Palmer a meeting was called at the Town Hall for the purpose
of promoting it.

This meeting (Mr H. Harvey George in the chair) was
held on the 16th day of March 1883, and almost every one of
any importance in the town attended. The past revels of
Burgh Water Frolic, before alluded to in these pages, were
re-awakened, and amidst much enthusiasm the club was
formed, the first committee including the following gentle-
men : — Mr H. Blake, Mr H. R. Harmer, Mr F. Danby Palmer,
Mr W. H. Stanley, Mr R. E. Dowson, Mr. J. Mack, Mr T.
Morgan, Mr A. A. Steward, Mr W. S. Chamberlain, Mr. H.
Bond, Mr T. M. Baker, Mr G. F. Crane, Mr J. P. Hall, Mr. J.
Hall, Mr S. Lacon, Mr Oswald Diver, Mr C. Diver, Mr F.
Burton, Mr W. Teasdael. Mr F. Carpenter, Mr W. Barnard
Mr W. Brighton, Mr J. H. Bly, Mr Isaac Preston, Mr J. Mack,
Mr F. Mack, Mr J. Hastings.

The first commodore of the club was Sir Edward Birkbeck,
Bart., and the secretary, Mr H. Harvey George. The
burgee is red and blue with semi-lion passant with fish's
tail.

The first regatta was held on Breydon Water on the
14th June 1883. On the 14th September 1888, through the

YACHTING DURING THE PRESENT

277

kind offices of Sir K. P. Beauchamp, Bart., a twenty-pound
challenge cup was obtained — partially purchased by subscrip-
tion amongst the members. It is sailed for over a twelve-mile
course with a time allowance of fifteen seconds for every three
inches or part of three inches, L. W. L.

In 1890 the honorary secretary, Mr H. Harvey George,
after having fairly set the club upon its legs, resigned, and the
club was again fortunate in securing the services of the
present honorary secretary, who has done great things
towards its success. Mr G. H. Lovewell Blake for a number
of years had been
a well-known figure
on the waters of
Broadland,and when
he devoted his
energies to the
further promotion of
the Great Yarmouth
Yacht Club, that
institution soon grew
into an important
factor in the annals
of local yacht racing.

In 1893 the sub-
scription of the club

was reduced from ten shillings and sixpence per annum to
Hve shillings, which was a move in the right direction, as
was proved by the large increase of members. Iu 1890 the
members numbered seventy ; at the time of writing there are
240 duly enrolled.

In the year 1897 a more ambitious venture was under-
taken by one of the keenest and best amateur yachtsmen in
the club, Mr Ralph G. Watling, the then rear commodore.
He worked energetically, not only amongst the members of the
club, but amongst all those interested in boat sailing in East
Anglia. As a result of his efforts, cordially backed up by
the officers of his club, amongst whom may well be mentioned

THE "SAYONARA.

278

BROADLAND SPORT

Mr E. P. Buck worth, the owner of the Sayonara, one of the
smartest cruisers of her day, then commodore, a very handsome
gold Jubilee Challenge Cup of the value of 100 guineas was
purchased. It was won at the first race, held on 23rd August
1897, on Breydon Water by the Vixen. It was hoped that
this cup might be the means of stimulating still further the
interest in yacht-racing in Broadland and also cause strange
boats to visit the waters in greater numbers than hereto-
fore.

The club holds four permanent annual fixtures, and the
list of commodores includes the following names : —

COMMODORES OF THE CLUB

Since its Institution in 1883.

Date.

Name'.

Yacht.

Residence.

1883-4

Sir E. Birkbeck, Bart.

Florence

Horstead Hall

1885

W. Burdett-Coutts, Esq.

1886

Sir H. W. Tylor, M.P.

1887

F. Danby Palmer, Esq.

Lady of the
Bure

Gt. Yarmouth

1888

Sir R. P. Beauchamp,
Bart.

Lolypop

Langley Park

1889-93

F. Danby Palmer, Esq.

Lady of the
Bure

Gt. Yarmouth

1894

N. R. Suffling, Esq.

Gt. Yarmouth

1895

W. E. Worship, Esq.

Zoe

Gt. Ormesby

1896

F. Danby Palmer, Esq.

Lady of the
Bure

Gt. Yarmouth

1897

E. P. Buckworth, Esq.

Sayonara

Crostwick Old
Hall

1898

R. P. Chamberlin, Esq.

White Wings

Gt. Yarmouth

1899

R. Watling, Esq.

Checkmate (p.o.)

Gt. Yarmouth

1900

G. H. Lovewell Blake,

Esq.
E. P. Buckworth, Esq.

Daphne

Gt. Y'armouth

1901

Sayonara

Crostwick Old

Hall

1902

R. F. Boileau, Esq.

Ketteringham
Park

YACHTING DURING THE PRESENT

279

The nineties were accountable for a great change in
yachting circles. Until that period yachts had been almost
invariably steered by professional watermen, who wrangled
amongst themselves, and were accountable for numerous
collisions, and charged the owner of the boat an absurdly high
sum for steering her to victory ; in fact, it was not uncommon

"wanderer II."

to receive a bill for the remuneration of the crew which far
exceeded the amount of the first prize.

On account of this unsatisfactory state of affairs the yacht
clubs brought in rules that in all club races the boats
must be steered by amateurs or be liable to disqualification.
Mr F. Green and Mr W. S. Everitt tried to introduce this rule
in 1860 but without success, and had not racing become so ex-
pensive, by reason of the extortions of the professional crews,

280 BROADLAND SPORT

its introduction might have been postponed for several more
years.

Again, it was not until 1890 that Broadlanders were
beaten in their own waters by a strange boat (the Mystery),
but her stay was of the shortest and not long enough to give
local talent a fair chance.

Keverting again to racing (1880 to 1890), Mr Brighton,
first of Bungay, then of Southtown, Great Yarmouth, was
the foremost designer and boat-builder ; for years he swept
the decks without a recognised opponent. His best boats
were the Trixie (Mr E. Tillyard), three tons ; Wanderer II.
(Mr J. Lee Barber), nine tons ; Lolypop (Sir Reginald Beau-
champ) ; Kingfisher (Mr J. E. Crisp) and the Isabel (Mr W.
Smith), both about seven tons, although they were debarred
from racing by their respective owners.

Wanderer II. was built by Brighton of Southtown, Great
Yarmouth, for Mr J. Lee Barber. She was nine tons Thames
measurement, constructed of yellow pine, which after cedar is
the best wood for a racing yacht, and cost her owner nearly
£100 per ton before she was completed. She was one of the
last successful straight - keeled yachts which have been
gradually displaced by the fin-keeled and cut-away-stem
type ; what she would ihave done had she been modernised it
is difficult to conjecture, as she was always an extraordinarily
fast boat. During her first season in Broadland she was
placed first thirteen times out of fourteen starts, whilst at
Lowestoft, Great Yarmouth, Harwich and other marine
regattas, she also distinguished herself. For beauty in lines
it was difficult to find her equal, and after an ever- victorious
racing career she entered the cruising class.

In 1899 she was sold, and has left for the waters of the
Onwell.

In 1889 he (Brighton) designed the Greyhound for Mr
J. P. Hall, which was certainly one of the most successful of
all his successful boats.

Other boats of the time worthy of note were the Gypsy,
owned and built by Mr T. Morgan ; and the Falcon, built

YACHTING DURING THE PRESENT

by Mr J. Hastings, and owned by Mr N. Suffling, of Great
Yarmouth; the Ada (Mr A. Watling) ; Terrier (Mr H.
Osborne) ; Mosquito (Mr H. Reynolds) ; Imp (Mr T. Morgan,
afterwards Dr A. Marshall); Flash (Mr R. G. Bateley) ;
Castanet (Mr R. J. Colman); Silver Star (Mr C. W. Barton) ;
Prairie Floiver (Mr W. G. Everitt) ; and the Odd Trick (Mr
E. Morse).

The nineties saw
the decline of the large
cutters, and so un-
popular did the river
fixtures of the Norfolk
and Suffolk Yacht Club
become, as compared
with those of the Yare
Sailing Club, that it
was difficult to get
sufficient entries to
make a race at all.
Few new boats were
built, and had it not
been for the energy of
Messrs F. & C. Last,
who seemed determined
to have a yacht cap-
able of beating the
Wanderer II, the
classes of the club
would have had to be

a-ltered. The two gentlemen named built several nine-ton
craft, which always came in second, until the Corona (called
by yokels, Crowner — Anglice, Coroner), built for them by
Mr C. Peed of Oulton Broad, and altered by Messrs Page &
Chambers of Lowestoft, at last turned the tables.

About 1890 the racing machine, Gossip, was designed
and built by Mr George Mollett of Brundall. She was
as quaint a looking craft as one could well meet with and

■\

•>o ', l-.

■ . 1

H..HI-" l

HHHHHI

282 BROADLAND SPORT

looked like a raft raised upon two pontoons. She was a
double-hulled boat drawing less than a foot of water, and
Jier middle was hollowed out so that when she rested upon
an even keel an undivided waterline extended all round
her. In sailing she ran over the water rather than cut
through it, and as she carried 450 feet of sail area it
is no wonder she left everything else behind. She was
very simply rigged with a large lug-foresail and a small
mizzen, whilst her stability was assisted by a sliding centre-
plate of three feet to four feet exposed area. Her rough
measurements were L.W.L., seventeen feet ; beam, seven
feet ; depth, two feet.

After winning her first race at Oulton Broad on a Whit
Monday, she was offered for sale for thirty pounds but
purchasers were shy as they did not altogether appreciate
her appearance and preferred a safer ship to sail in. She
was however sold a few days afterwards, and her new owner,
during her first racing season, won prizes equal in value to
more than double the purchase money.

This boat was the forerunner of a class of racing machines
which exercised full sway upon the waters of Broadland for
the next seven years. These boats have no comfort even for
sailing, much less for cruising; everything is sacrificed for
speed.

The Castanet, a bluff-bowed, spoon-shaped vessel, with a
broad stern and small keel was Mr Mollett's next success
(1892), but her owner (Mr Russell J. Colman) was unable to
hold the Challenge Cup at his pleasure more than one season,
for in 1893 the Challenge (Mr W. Stewart) showed herself a
much faster boat.

The Castanet was built by George Mollett of Brundall for
Mr R. J. Colman, and was at the time the most advanced type
of racing boat of her class. During her first season she
started fourteen times, securing twelve prizes, eight firsts and
four seconds ; in her second season she won eleven prizes out of
fourteen starts. As a cruiser is not only comfortable, but
exceedingly handy, a great consideration in the narrow water-

YACHTING DURING I HE PRESENT 283

ways. Her chief competitors included the Greyhound, Ada,
Gossip, Silver Star, Ino and Challenge.

Another fast boat was the Bubble (Mr W. Stewart), but she
was soon sold to go abroad (Russia), and raced but very
little.

Talisman I. was designed by Mr Walter Stewart (who
was also responsible for the Odd Trick, Bubble, Challenge,
Sticklebat, and many other boats) for Mr R. Lee Barber, who
built her himself in 1894 for the modest initial outlay of
about £30. She was the first seen in Broadland of the flat-
bottomed unballasted type, and won for her lucky owner, the
first year she was launched, between £70 and £80 in money
prizes, besides numerous cups and specials. In length she
was twenty-five feet over all, her beam was seven feet, and she
drew only three inches of water, except when her seven-foot
dagger plate was lowered. For racing, she was what is termed
" a hard weather boat," going well only when a stiff breeze was
blowing; a haystack could sail past her in light weather.
Among other good points she was never known to capsize,
although many times was she waterlogged. In 1895 her
sporting owner sent her over to the Riviera, where she won
several races against well-known boats, but the sea was found
to be too choppy for her when there was any quantity of
wind. Whilst here, she proved how excellently safe she was,
as on one occasion her crew started from Nice with a light
wind aft which gradually increased in violence until all sails
had to be taken in, and the frail boat was driven helplessly
before the wind many miles out to sea. To bring her to the
wind, or to attempt to make the land was impossible, whilst
her luckless occupants were kept fully occupied baling out the
water with a pail and handcup. This from a boat, the total
depth of which from deck to keel was only fourteen inches
was no easy task, and as fast as the water was ejected more
found its way in. Eventually Bandol, near Toulon, and nearly
seventy miles from Nice, was reached after a most exciting
time. In 1897 the Talisman I was sold to a Russian who
took her away to the Danube.

284

BROADLAND SPORT

Talisman II. was also designed by Mr W. Stewart, and
built by Smith of Oxford for Mr R. Lee Barber upon lines

somewhat simi-
lar to those of
her predecessor.
She was au other
very successful
boat when there
was a good, stiff,
racing breeze,
but practicaily
useless during
calm weather.
In 1900 she was
sold to Mr T.
H. Thomas of

"TALISMAN 1." T 1

Lynn, who con-
tinued to race her and won many prizes.

The Zingara, built by Mr George Mollett for Mr Fred
Bullard, won several prizes in 1894, as did the Silver' Star (Mr
0. W. Barton,
afterwards Mr
G. M. Cham-
berlin), but
in 1895 the
Bream (Mr J.
W. Waters)
appeared.
This boat
was another
machine. She
was built
privately at
Acle and held

the Yare Challenge Cup until 1897, when two new boats
built by Mr Linton Hope of the Thames alternately beat
everything, namely, the Checkmate (Messrs Watling, Sikes

TALISMAN II.

YACHTING DURING THE PRESENT 285

& Mayall) for the first part of the season and the Dream (Mr
A. S. Cope) for the latter part.

Prior to the appearance of the last boats named, Messrs G.
M. Chamberlin and Russell J. Colman bought the Bodagh,
which was a very pretty and fast boat ; besides, she had the
recommendation of being more in the nature of a yacht, but
her reign lasted only until the advent of the Checkmate.

Another great success was the Vixen, designed by her
owner, Mr F. H. Chambers, and built by Messrs Press Bros, of
Wroxham. She won more prizes than any other boat of her
class ; but she changed hands several times, being bought by
that excellent all-round sportsman, Mr G. M. Chamberlin, after-
wards by Mr E. J. Theobald, subsequently by the Rev H. Rogers.

During the nineties dinghys received official recognition
and prizes were offered for them. This was soon followed by
a rule to define what was to be considered a dinghy.

As soon as this class was formed it became very popular
and many enthusiasts built new boats every year.

The best boats in this class were built by Mr George
Mollett of Brundall and Mr R. Collins of Wroxham.
Amongst the dinghys which have been prominent at times
may be mentioned the Gladys and the Britannia (Mr E. J.
Theobald); the White Seal (Messrs E. M. & F. Corbett) ; Wave
(Mr E. Hicks) ; Silver Star (Mr G. M. Chamberlin) ; Mitzie
(Mr F. R. R. Godfrey); Six and Eight and Pick-me-Up (Mr
H. R. Everitt, the author of this book) ; Jack and Jill (Dr E.
Hewer); Topsy (Mr G. Humphrey); the Romp and the
Venture (Rev. H. Rogers); whilst the Mayfly (Mr C. F.
Howell) proved herself to be by far the fastest of all for two
seasons. In 1898 the Bonnie, designed by Mr F. H. Chambers,
owned by Mr G. M. Chamberlin, and built by H. Press of
Wroxham, was champion, winning sixteen first prizes, three
seconds and one third out of twenty-one races, besides three
special cups ; she was a new type of boat, although within
the rule, and entirely revolutionised the class. In 1899
several machine dinghys were designed by Mr F. H.
Chambers, following the lines of the Bonnie, and built by

»

THE "SILVER STAR.

THE " BONNIE *'

«

THE DINGHY "CASTANET."

THE " VIXEN

288 BROADLAND SPORT

Messrs H. Little & Co., Ltd., of Brundall. They include the
Gipsy (Captain T. Sergeant) ; Castanet (Mr R. J. Colman) ;
and the Waif (Messrs E. Hewer, M. Brooks and R. May).

In 1894 the enthusiastic dinghy owners were not satisfied
with their lot ; they wanted more notice from the yachting
world, more races and more boats in their class. So they
agitated amongst themselves, and in 1895, at the instigation
of Mr E. Hicks and Mr H. Mower, both of Norwich, a meeting
was called, and fixed for the 23rd of April, at the Bell Hotel,
Norwich, to discuss the situation. Not a large gathering
appeared, but it was resolved to form a club for their own
special class, which was entitled " The Broads Dinghy Club,"
its objects being to encourage the building and sailing of
small and inexpensive boats, and so to endeavour to bring the
class more prominently before the various yachting and sail-
ing clubs.

The subscription was two shillings and sixpence per
annum, and the burgee a five-pointed blue star on a white
ground. Seven fixtures, dating from April to September, and
over every variety of course, were also appointed. At these
races points were awarded in accordance with the number
of starters, and at the end of the season the prizes were
awarded in accordance with the total number of points
gained.

The only officer of the club acted in a dual capacity as
honorary secretary and treasurer combined. Mr E. Hicks
originally held this post, but in 1896 he resigned in favour
of Mr H. S. Page.

The length of course sailed in dinghy races is about six
miles.

In 1895 the inhabitants of Oulton Broad, or, as it is locally
called, " Little England," bestirred themselves for the purpose
of establishing a sailing club of their own. As Oulton Broad
is one of the largest yachting centres their efforts were suc-
cessful, and the club now numbers about 200 members. The
burgee has a white ground with a blue cross and a red square
in its centre.

YACHTING DURING THE PRESENT

289

The object of the club, which is Darned the Waveney Sail-
ing Club, is to encourage the improvement and sailing of
small yachts and boats, but it does not require much insight
to get at the reason of its establishment. The Norfolk and
Suffolk Club is an exclusive and an expensive club to belong
to ; besides, it encourages large yachts and is only open to
amateurs ; the Yare Sailing Club encourages smaller craft,
but is only open to amateurs ; the Great Yarmouth Club is
local and only open to amateurs; but the Waveney Club
is open to all, and the professional yachtsman or water-

THE "CHECKMATE,'

man can own his half-rater, twenty-five footer, or dinghy,
which most probably he has built himself during the long
winter evenings, and he is not debarred from entering his
boat and racing it. This is the only club offering prizes to
professional watermen, and considering the large number of
them there are, the club would seem to supply a want that
was felt.

At all events, several of the watermen living at Oulton
Broad have been induced to save money and possess them-
selves of a boat for racing purposes, and as the majority of
the club's regattas are held on a Saturday afternoon, which
is usually a half day with working men, much enjoyment is

290

BROADLAND SPORT

afforded to them which they would otherwise have to go
without. The fixtures of the club are very well attended
and the prizes offered compare favourably with other clubs,
whilst the roll of membership goes on increasing yearly — at
the time of writing it numbers over 200.

The Unit is a sixteen-foot half -decked open boat, and be-
longs to a class especially made by the Waveney Sailing Club.
Perhaps this boat redounds more credit to her designer,
builder and owner, than any other craft that has ever
floated upon Broadland waters. This is not said unadvisedly,
as Mr W. S. Parker of Oulton Broad, her owner, is a working
man, who for many years was employed upon one of the
G. E. R. Company's dredgers in Lowestoft harbour, to which
employment he was tied from six in the morning to six at
night, yet when the Waveney Sailing Club was inaugurated in
1896, and this particular class was defined, he at once designed
the Unity and built her entirely himself during his spare hours,
which must have been few, as Mr Parker is a Sabbatarian. The
only parts of the boat that were not moulded and fashioned with

his own hands were the
iron centre-plate, ropes and
necessary ironwork. In her
first season she started forty-
three times, securing thirty-
three firsts, eight seconds and
two thirds, forty-three prizes
in all (besides specials and
challenge cups) out of forty-
eight entries. Every year
since her sporting owner has
entered her in every race t
possible, and at the time of
writing she is still " Cock of
the Walk " at Oulton Broad.
The rules of the various clubs it is not necessary to go
into, but it may be interesting to give the different classes as
they are divided.

THE UNIT.

YACHTING DURING THE PRESENT 291

THE ROYAL NORFOLK AND SUFFOLK YACHT CLUB.

Class I.
Yachts exceeding thirty feet linear rating.

Class II.
Yachts over twenty-four feet and not exceeding thirty feet
linear rating.

Class III.

Yachts not exceeding twenty-four feet linear rating.

Class IV.
Dinghys as denned in the Yare Sailing Club Rules.

Cruisers.
Sailing under Handicap Regulations.

THE YARE SAILING CLUB.

Class I.

Boats exceeding twenty-four feet and not exceeding thirty feet

linear rating, which shall have fixed cabin top and bulkheads,

the cabin top to be not less than five feet long and four inches above

the deck.

Class II.

Boats exceeding eighteen feet but not exceeding twenty-four
feet linear rating.

Class III.

Boats not exceeding eighteen feet linear rating but restricted to
twenty-one feet length over all with J-inch finished planking.

Class IV.

DINGHYS.

Boats to be open boats not exceeding fourteen feet in length
over all, clench built, 1 40 feet of canvas to cover whole of sail area,
no outside ballast, inside ballast not to exceed three hundredweight,
centre plate (exposed) not to exceed four square feet and eighty
pounds' weight, and to be of a uniform thickness throughout.
Rudder to be ordinary wood rudder to unship. Outside fixed heel
and deadwood together not to exceed three inches in depth, and the gar-

CLEARING THE COURSE

DINGHIES STARTING.

THE ACLE TO WROXHAM RACE, SHOWING FORTY-THREE STARTERS TO ONE GUN.

m

/

"playmate." "checkmate.' "dream."

CHALLENGE." " STICKLEBAT."

Club House- Boat.

Falcon. Thelma.

CRUISERS STARTING.

Sayonara.

: LADYE."

WHITE WINGS." "BUGLER."

294 BROADLAND SPORT

board strake to show inside the boat. Draught, exclusive of centre
keels, not to exceed fifteen inches with crew and ballast on board.
Crew not to exceed two persons.

A Handicap Class,
cruisers.
A cruiser shall be denned as follows : — " A yacht or boat that
has not sailed in any recognised club race (except handicaps) for at
least six months previously to the race for which she has entered as
a cruiser." Cruising " yachts " shall have a substantial fixed cabin
top and two bulkheads and at least three feet six inches headroom
from any part of the platform of the cabin.

THE GREAT YARMOUTH SAILING CLUB.

Class I.
Boats exceeding twenty-four feet and not exceeding thirty feet
linear rating, and having fixed cabin tops and bulkheads, the cabin
top to be not less than five feet long.

Class II.

Boats above eighteen feet but not exceeding twenty-four feet
linear rating.

Class III.
Boats not exceeding eighteen feet linear rating.
Cruisers and Dinghys.

THE WAYENEY SAILING CLUB.

Class I.
Boats not exceeding twenty-four feet linear rating.

Class II.
Boats not exceeding twenty-five feet in length on L.W.L. and
beam added. If with overhang one third of same be added for the
purpose of computing time allowance.

Class III.
Open and partly-decked boats not exceeding sixteen feet over all.

RACING ON BREYDON WATER.

"memsahib.

" CHECKMATE.

296 BROADLAND SPORT

Class IVt.
Bona-fide cruisers of any rig or tonnage, having fixed cabin top
and bulkhead.

Class V.

Dinghys.

THE BROADS DINGHY CLUB.

For dinghys only as denned in Class IV. of the Yare Sailing
Club.

The formula used generally by all the clubs for determin-
ing rating is as follows : —

L + B + -75 G + -5 J S.A.

R

2

In this formula L = length on L.W.L. as now measured. B =
greatest beam wherever found. G = underwater girth of the vessel
from L.W.L. to L.W.L., taken at "6 of the loadwater line from its
fore end and measured along the actual outline of the vertical cross-
section at that station. If the draught forward exceeds the draught
at that station, twice such excess be added to G. In the case of
centreboard double the extreme depth of the board (when dropped
to its full extent below the keel) to be added to G. In taking these
measurements all hollows in the fore and aft underwater profile of
the vessel to be treated as filled up straight. Bulb or ballasted
boards to be measured in the same way as fixed or fin keels. S.A.
= sail area as now measured.

NORFOLK AND SUFFOLK YACHT AND SAILING CLUBS
ASSOCIATION.

Fees for Measuring.

For Yachts not exceeding 24 feet linear rating <£0 10 0

30 „ „ 15 0

above 30 „ „ 10 0

In former years water frolics, or, as they are now called,
regattas, were comparatively few and far between, but nowa-

YACHTING DURING THE PRESENT 297

days there are fixtures falling for every week from May to
September, and hundreds of pounds are annually offered for
competition. But the great event of the year, so far as
Broadland yachting it concerned, is what is known as the
Wroxham Week. It is usually fixed about the end of July
and the early part of August, and means nearly a fortnight's
racing. The yachts from the Yare, Wensum and Waveney
make for Great Yarmouth and meet at the yachting station
on the Saturday, all sailing up on the flood tide to Acle on the
Sunday. Monday and Tuesday are fixed for Acle Regatta ;
Wednesday for the river race from Acle to Wroxham, in
which forty to sixty starters cross the line; Thursday and
Friday, Wroxham Regatta ; Saturday, Wroxham Bridge
Regatta; on Sunday the yachts make Coltishall, and on
Monday a regatta is held there.

Wroxham being one of the oldest (if not the oldest)
fixtures on record, a few words may not be out of place
concerning it. That it existed so far back as a hundred
years there is ample testimony, whilst it is also well-
known that in the fifties Mr Green of Wroxham was one
of its most ardent supporters, and each year he enter-
tained largely upon his house-boat. From 1859 to 1879
the Norfolk and Suffolk Yacht Club took up the leading
reins, but in consequence of the gradual increase in the
size of the boats and the difficulties of access the club
retired in favour of a general committee, styling itself the
Wroxham Broad Regatta Committee. This committee threw
considerable spirit into their work, and with such energetic
men as Mr E. T. Ayers (Great Yarmouth) and J. B. Pearce
(Norwich) at the head of affairs, its success was assured.
Funds were hunted up, fresh blood infused into the manage-
ment, two days' racing were substituted for one, novelties and
innovations yearly introduced, all of which assisted the sport
and added to the enjoyment of everyone who attended the
fixture, and it has now been worked up to such a pitch that it
can compete favourably with other inland regattas held any-
where in our tight little Island.

298 BROADLAND SPORT

Pleasure launches have been few and far between in
Broadland until quite recently. The Alda, owned by Mr J.
J. Dawson Paul of Norwich, was in fact the only one really
worthy of the name of pleasure launch, and she for many
years has been the queen of the small fleet of her class. In the
cities and towns mechanics or engineers have perchance fitted
up boats of ancient build with engines equally as out-dated as
the craft, in which they have navigated the rivers and water-
ways. Occasionally a steam tender to some large, sea-going

THE " FROLIC."

yacht visiting Lowestoft or Great Yarmouth has penetrated
the Broads on a flying visit, but, taken on the whole, launches
did not in the past find favour in the eyes of Broadlanders.

The motor craze, however, has now found its way even
to these peaceful and secluded haunts, and launches of all
shape, size, build and method of propulsion are to be daily
met with. The most beautifully fitted and graceful of them
all is the Frolic, purchased from the Thames in 1900 by Mr
J. J. Dawson Paul, but as this class of craft pertains more to
reaching or viewing sport than to assisting it, further comment
becomes unnecessary.

YACHTING DURING THE PRESENT

299

The following is a return of the more important annual
fixtures, with their approximate dates : —

Dati

Name of Club.

Place of Meeting.

April 29

Broads Dinghy Club

Brundall

May

13

Broads Dinghy Club

Acle

)>

15

Norfolk and Suffolk Yacht Club

Race to Harwich
(Marine)

55

20

Yare Sailing Club

Breydon

55

25

Great Yarmouth Yacht Club

Cantley

June 3

Yare Sailing Club

Cantley

55

7

Oulton Regatta Committee

Oulton Broad

5)

8

Waveney Sailing Club

Oulton Broad

55

10

Great Yarmouth Yacht Club

Breydon

55

17

Norfolk and Suffolk Yacht Club

Cantley

55

18

Norfolk and Suffolk Yacht Club

Cantley

55

24

Broads Dinghy Club

Cantley

July

1

Yare Sailing Club

Cantley

55

5

Norfolk and Suffolk Yacht Club

Yarmouth to Reed-
hani and back

55

8

Broads Dinghy Club

Oulton Broad

55

12

Beccles Town Regatta

Beccles

55

13

Waveney Sailing Club

Beccles

55

15

Yare Sailing Club

Oulton Broad

55

16

Great Yarmouth Yacht Club

Oulton Broad

55

22

Norfolk and Suffolk Yacht Club

Lowestoft (Marine)

55

26

Acle Regatta Committee

Acle

55

27

Yare Sailing Club

Acle

55

28

Yare Sailing Club

Acle to Wroxham

55

29

Wroxham Regatta Committee

Wroxham Broad

55

30

Wroxham Regatta Committee

Wroxham Broad

55

31

Wroxham Bridge Regatta

Wroxham

Aug,

2

Coltishall Regatta Committee

Coltishall

55

5

Broads Dinghy Club

Wroxham

55

7

Waveney Sailing Club

Oulton Broad

55

11

Horning Regatta Committee

Horning

5)

12

Broads Dinghy Club

Acle

55

18

Norfolk and Suffolk Yacht Club

Lowestoft (Marine)

55'

19

Lowestoft Town Regatta

Lowestoft (Marine)

55

20

Norfolk and Suffolk Yacht Club

Lowestoft (Marine)

55

23

Barton Regatta Committee

Barton Broad

55

26

Norfolk and Suffolk Yacht Club

Oulton Broad

55

27

Norfolk and Suffolk Yacht Club

Oulton Broad

55

28

Waveney Sailing Club

Oulton to Somerley-
ton and back

55

31

Potter Heigham Regatta Committee

Potter Heigham

Sept.

2

Yare Sailing Club

Cantley

55

7

Great Yarmouth Yacht Club

Breydon

55

9

Broads Dinghey Club

Cantley

55

16

Waveney Sailing Club

Oulton Broad

3°°

BROADLAND SPORT

The before-mentioned are all recognised fixtures and

largely attended by those interested in boat sailing, whilst

the marine regattas which

annually take place at

every watering-place on

the coast-line have not been

1 included. For example,

Harwich, Felixstowe,
I

Southwold, Kessingland,.

Lowestoft, Gorleston, Great

Yarmouth, Caistor, Cromer,.

Sherringham, Wells and

King's Lynn, etc.

WINDFLOWER.

One of the finest sea-
going yachts sailing from the port of Lowestoft is the Wind-
flower owned by Mr Vernon D. Wilcock ; she is about sixty
tons register.

Inland on the rivers
and broads are numerous
local fixtures organised
for the purpose of boat
sailing and matches, but
these minor events have
been omitted from the
above list as they mostly
originate and are organised
by mine host of the river-
side angling* resort or
pleasure gardens, and are
more particularly for the
benefit of himself and his
brewers ; as examples may
be named, Hickling, Horn-
ing Ferry, Stokesby, Martham, Burgh Flats, St Olaves, Reed-
ham, Buckenham, Brundall, Surlingham, Bramerton and
Burgh St Peter, etc., yet it must not be overlooked that a
great amount of sport is shown.

THE CRUISER " WHITE WINGS.

YACHTING DURING THE PRESENT

301

The introduction of the racing machine to Broadland
Waters has been regretted by many, if not by all the most
prominent racing men, as in this class everything is sacrificed
to speed. The beautiful lines of a racing yacht are enchanged
for a wooden dish, and the stability of old is supplanted by a
skin- about as thick as an ordinary cigar box, which bends
about like a basket and cannot be expected to last more than
a couple of seasons.

Were it not for the
cruisers which sail under
handicap regulations we
should not, at the present
day, have a real yacht
at all to look upon at
Broadland regattas.
The cruiser class is
made up of the racers
of ten, twenty and thirty
years ago, together with
a modern type of boat
which certain builders
are turning out for the
express purpose of com-
peting in the class.

The most prominent
boats between 1895 and
1901 were the following : White Wings, cutter, eleven tons (Mr
R. P. Chamberlin) ; Barbara, sloop, six tons (Mr H. Champion') ;
lo, cutter, ten tons (Mr F. Clifton) ; Castanet, cutter, three tons
or 25.4 rating (Mr R. J. Colman) ; Sayonara, cutter, five tons
(Mr E. P. Buckworth) ; Phantom, cutter, seven tons (Mr. H.
M. Cadge) ; Bodagh, lug, 24*3 rating (Mr G. M. Chamberlin,
now Mr Lawrence Mills) ; Magpie, lug, two tons (Mr W. P.
Barratt) ; Ada, cutter, four tons (Rev. B. G. Barnard-Smith) ;
Playmate, cutter, six tons or 29 4 rating (Mr. H. P. Crowe) ;
Ladye, sloop, four tons (Mr E. C. Hawkins) ; Doreen, cutter,
twenty tons or 38'6 rating (Messrs F. Last and C. H. Last) ;

FROM THE ONE DESIGN CLASS.

3o2 BROADLAND SPORT

Ino, sloop (Mr T. N. K. Roberts) ; Spindrift, cutter, eight tons
(Mr F. S. Rogers) ; Thelma, cutter, four tons (Mr T. Sergeant),
and many others.

With the new century Broadland yachtsmen became
advocates of the one design class. Each club brought for-
ward different designs, and although many meetings were
held nothing definite could be agreed upon, until a small
clique of energetic and enthusiastic sportsmen took the lead
by ordering seven boats from a Thames boatbuilder to be
built from the same moulds, and costing complete £100 each.
Throughout the season they raced at every regatta and many
times privately, whilst all the clubs recognised them, although
it cannot be recorded that the design of the boats was gener-
ally approved either by the clubs or by their individual
members. Without doubt they are pretty little boats and
wonderfully handy for sailing, but on the other hand it is
thought they are open to improvement.

1898 was a great year in the annals of the Norfolk and
Suffolk Yacht Club. Since 1867 the members had agitated
for an Admiralty Warrant, but unsuccessfully, and hope had
been deferred so long that the hearts of most had grown sick
and weary. Fortunately for the club its roll of members in-
cluded the name of the most energetic member of Parliament,
the Lowestoft division had ever known, Mr H. S. Foster, M.P.
No sooner did he ascertain the goal of their ambitions than the
matter was as good as settled. He agitated in all quarters,,
untied the red tape of the Circumlocution Office, stirred up
the sleepy officials, and, strengthened by the strong support of
the Patron of the Club, H.R.H. The Prince of Wales, the
objections of the Admiralty were overcome and the long-
waited-for distinction at last conferred.

304 BROADLAND SPORT

COPY OF ADMIRALTY WARRANT.

By the Commissioners for executing the Office of Lord High
Admiral of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Ireland, <&c.

Whereas we deem it expedient that the Members of the Norfolk
and Suffolk Yacht Club, being natural born or naturalised British
Subjects, should be permitted to wear on board their respective
vessels the Red Ensign of Her Majesty's Fleet, with the distinctive
marks of the Club on the fly thereof, viz. : a Crown with the Prince
of Wales' Plume underneath, on the following conditions : —

We do therefore by virtue of the power and authority vested in
us, under the provisions of the 73rd Section of the Merchant
Shipping Act, 1894, hereby Warrant and authorise the Red
Ensign of the Her Majesty's Fleet, with the distinctive marks of the
Norfolk and Suffolk Yacht Club, to be worn on board the re-
spective vessels belonging to the Norfolk and Suffolk Yacht Club
and to Members of such Yacht Club, being natural born or natural-
ised British Subjects, accordingly, subject to the following con-
ditions : —

1. Every vessel belonging to the Norfolk and Suffolk Yacht

Club, in order to be eligible to wear the Ensign author-
ised by this Warrant, shall have been registered as a
British Vessel in accordance with the Merchant Ship-
ping Act, 1S94.

2. The Ensign shall not, without our authority in writing, be

worn on board any vessel belonging to the Norfolk and
Suffolk Yacht Club while such vessel is lent, on hire or
otherwise, to any person not being a Member of the
Club, or who, being a Member of the Club, is not a
natural born or naturalised British Subject.

Given under Our Hands and the Seal of the Office of Admiralty
this Ninth Day of March, 1898.

(Signed) FRED. G. W. BEDFORD.
A. W. MOORE.

By command of their Lordships.

(Signed) EYAN MACGREGOR.

YACHTING DURING THE PRESENT 305

On 2nd June the ceremony of hoisting the new colours
took place at noon in unpropitious weather, a salute was
fired, and all the yachts, and many of the vessels in the
harbour, were decked in bunting from stem to stern in
honour of the occasion. Had it not been for the excessive
enthusiasm, zeal and energy of Mr H. S. Foster, M.P., Mr T.
M. Read, the popular commodore, and Mr A. T. Clarkson,
the secretary, it is exceedingly doubtful whether the honour
would ever have been granted. In the evening a celebration
dinner was held at the Royal Hotel, at which the following
were present: —

The commodore (Mr T. M. Read) in the chair, the vice-
commodore (Rev. H. Rogers) in the vice-chair, the rear-
commodore (Mr T. Sergeant), the Earl of Stradbroke, Sir
Cuthbert Quilter, Bart., M.P. (vice-commodore of the Royal
Harwich Yacht Club), Mr H. S. Foster, M.P., Sir Harry
Bullard, M.P., Mr T. H. Tacon, High Sheriff of Suffolk, the
Mayor of Beccles, the Inspector-Commander H.M. Coastguard,
Rev. Canon Lawrence, Rev. B. G. Barnard-Smith, Rev. G.
Champion, Sir Charles R. Gilman, Captain F. Barton, Captain
Henderson, Dr A. Marshall, Dr Wynne, Colonel T. Wilson,
Colonel T. Mayhew and Messrs L. T. Cobbold (Ipswich),
A. F. Mayhew C. F. Davey, J. W. Reynolds, T. H. Woods,
W. S. Brockley, J. Watson, H. M. Cadge, Gordon Barratt,
C. A. Gauntlett, S. A. Allingham, L. T. Clarkson, C. F.
Hughes-Hallett, G. J. Grimsdick, F. Bullard, W. E. Holt,
W. G. Everitt, C. P. Hart, A. G. Notley, Edward Elliot,
L. F. Orde, R. Lee-Barber, H. K. Whiting, B. Preston, W.
S. Everitt, W. H. Mann, Gilbert Morse, S. L. Barrett, E. P.
Buckworth, A. W. Fenton, C. B. Foster, J. L. Peto, H. R.
Everitt, G. M. Chamberlin, A. Savill, C. S. Gilman, R. C. and
F. G. Mayhew, A. E. Costerton, Francis D. Longe, Edgar
Morse, F. W. Jex Blake, T. P. Angell, E. F. and E. H.
Barlow, G. E. Preston, M. B. Byles, F. G. Cotman, G.
Sillen, W. Warman, W. W. Cook, etc. It is interesting
to note that the company at the hoisting ceremony in-
cluded three of the founders of the Club, viz., Messrs T.

u

3o6

BROADLAND SPORT

M. Read (the present commodore), Henry Morgan and W. S.
Everitt.

As a natural sequence to this high honour the members
grew dissatisfied with their club-house at Lowestoft, and a
new scheme was at once put on foot for the promotion of
a more commodious and substantial building capable of
affording better accommodation, greater comforts, and which
would be worthy of a Royal Club.

LOWESTOFT YACHT I5ASIN AND PIER ON REGATTA DAY.

CHAPTER XXII

UNDER THE LEE OF THE NORFOLK SANDHILLS

One autumn the author was the fortunate recipient of a
pressing invitation to stay a week-end with a hospitable
divine whose living was situated on the bleak level of
marshland, bounded by dunes and sandhills on one side and
the meres and lagoons of Broadland on the other. The
invite was worded in a manner that could not be refused,
and on the appointed day the Great Eastern Railway
Company conveyed our few belongings to a small wayside
station, leaving a dozen miles or more to be negotiated
before the welcome walls of the rectory would come in
sight.

Outside the low-roofed shanty, which formed a station
of great importance in the eyes of Norfolk yokels, sat our
host in a small pony-cart, his genial face beaming with delight
on our appearance. The weather was bitterly cold, and after
the usual greetings we were glad to settle well down into
a big fur-lined coat and suck the pipe of contentment in
silence.

At first the road was sheltered by tall trees, and it wound
in and out between narrow lanes with high hedgerows and
good banks ; but by degrees the country became more open,
the trees less frequent, and the houses on the wayside fewer,

3°7

3o8 BROADLAND SPORT

and separated at greater distances. Then we noticed that
we had left the upland behind us and had entered a region
as flat as the Netherlands. On either hand a broad dyke
yawned to receive us should the mare shy as some evil-
disposed quadrupeds of this class are often wont to do.

Broken clouds had been chasing each other all day across
the sky, and, as soon as the sun had set, rain, sleet and hail
alternated. The wind had gradually increased, and was
blowing almost a hurricane, north-east by east, full in our
faces. When we left the uplands and emerged on to the
road over the bleak, unsheltered marsh, we felt its full
force and keenness, whilst far away to the eastward, where
we knew were located the sandhills which kept the sea
from the marshland, lightning flashed at irregular intervals.

The moon did not rise until late, and what few stars
managed to struggle through the angry-looking clouds over-
head only seemed to intensify the darkness of the fast-gather-
ing night. That drive was an experience. Conversation was
too laborious to be pleasant, Whilst the sleet and hail cut the
face and seemed to chill the very marrow in our bones.
Every now and again the dim outline of some gaunt old
watermill would suddenly spring up in the path and tower
above us, the wind howling and shrieking round its shutters
in a manner tending to arouse one's superstitions and to
remind one of the erratic ramblings and heroic deeds of Don
Quixote de la Mancha.

If the windmills passed reminded us of this insane hero
of ancient times our steed did so the more. Like the trusty
Kozinante the mare was slow beyond comparison, and
stumbled frequently in the deep ruts now full to overflow-
ing with slush from recent rain or an uprising tide. The
intense darkness added to the difficulties of progression, and
an occasional gleam of some reflected light in the waters of
broad, soft- bottomed dykes on either side gave warning of
what we might expect should the animal take a false turn
or play tricks, and, to make matters worse, both the gig-lamps
had been extinguished by the boisterous wind. But it

UNDER THE LEE OF NORFOLK SANDHLLLS 309

is a long lane which has no turning, and at last, when the
cold had begun to penetrate our furs, when our toes seemed
frost-bitten and we had almost lost hope of getting to our
destination that night, we rounded a clump of willows, passed
another mill, saw the cheerful lights of two or three cottages,
and ten minutes later were warming our toes at the blazing
logs of the rectory fire.

Here we found a substitute for the peerless Princess
Dulcinea del Toboso in the bright, rosy-cheeked little daughter
of our host, a child of seven or eight summers, sweetly
attractive in her rural simplicity. She, in company with her
brother, an interesting youth of about the same age, danced
round us in delight at the prospect of a visitor to that out-of
the-way region, whilst we lost no time in winning their
joint affections by producing a large parcel of sweets, which
were promptly transferred to a disused tobacco tin (their
comfit box), and which were discussed by them for the rest of
the evening with huge delight. Our host, all aglow with
hospitality, busied himself with the bringing in of the traps
and sporting paraphernalia,

In the midst of these responsibilities he suddenly burst in
upon us with an anxious inquiry : " How about the bait I
told you to bring along ? I can't find it anywhere."

This forgetfulness was most annoying, and we cannot help
using strong language. " Cayo sel rayo ! we have left it
behind us."

Thoughtfully he stroked his chin. Inquiringly he looked
at us. We could do nothing but look at him. " Well, what
is to be done 1 " he said.

" Quien sabe, unless we use artificial," was the reply.

" I must consult John." With that he bounced out of the
apartment.

In a few minutes our friend was back again. " It's all
right; John is going with the pony the first thing in the
morning, and expects to be able to get all the bait you are
likely to require."

In a relieved frame of mind he seated himself, crossed his

3io BROADLAND SPORT

legs, folded his hands, and gazed benignly at the glowing
embers.

For an hour we discussed the prospects of sport, the wild-
ness of the neighbourhood, and the probabilities of the
weather. We dined well, in accordance with the customary
hospitality of a Norfolk host, and retired in good time to
rest.

The morning broke fine, but cold. It was Sunday, and
we, drawing the curtains from the window, saw the grey old
church with its thatched roof and rounded tower in the im-
mediate foreground of the view. It was a pretty picture.
Giant ivy embraced the outer shell of the sacred edifice,
climbed some distance up the tower and along the roof. A
pheasant was searching for its breakfast in the grass, white
with hoar frost, which grew among the silent tombstones ; and
a nimble little squirrel busied himself collecting his winter
store from under the russet leaves beneath a fruitful oak.
Looking upwards we saw a small bunch of wildfowl winging
their way eastward, and the cooing of some pigeons told us
it was high time we likewise completed our toilet and sought
for breakfast.

At ten a.m. the Sunday school class arrived. Half an
hour's discourse on the mighty deeds of valour enacted by
David sent them away interested and, it is to be hoped,
enlightened. At 10.45 our host bethought him of his
other duties. The church sexton, clerk, groom, gardener,
warren-keeper and general man-of -all-work was absent ; he
had gone to forage for bait. A difficulty arose as to who
should manipulate the heating apparatus of the church and
toll the solitary bell for service. We volunteer and are
accepted.

Old maxims often predict truth, more especially so does
the one which runs, " Fools rush in where," etc., and before
we had been fifteen minutes in the church we repented the
rashness of having so suddenly volunteered assistance.

The flue would not draw, the wood would not burn, and
when at last, with much persuasion, a small flame was

UNDER THE LEE OF NORFOLK SANDHLLLS 311

fanned into being, the smoke leaked out in many places and
half filled the building. During these operations a starling
and two sparrows entered through a hole in the roof to watch
operations, but as soon as we had obtained a fair grasp of the
solitary bell- rope they departed without staying for service.

It will be a long time before that call-to-prayer will be
forgotten. What the majority of the inhabitants of the
parish thought we know not and absolutely dare not inquire.

The first intimation that the bell was moving was one
tremendous smack of the tongue, which sounded as though it
had cracked the metal ; this was followed by spasmodic clangs
and funeral tolling by way of variety ; the harder we tried to
get anything like a regular ring the more wildly afflicted the
music (?) seemed to be, until in despair we let go the rope to
rest a while. But this was not to be, for a few minutes after
we had desisted from the effort our friend arrived coughing
violently through the smoke and directed that the bell must
be kept going somehow for ten minutes at least.

This was no joke. It was cold and a trifle damp in the
vestry. The place was full of smoke and we were no hands
at all at the art of bell-ringing ; besides, our host's remarks
were not complimentary to our efforts. We — well,

"In that sacred building there, we did not exactly swear,
But there are moments — when one wants to be alone."

Soon after this the congregation began to arrive and the
opportunity was taken of slipping back to the rectory for an
overcoat, the wisdom of which forethought was afterwards
appreciated.

There were eleven of us all told to hear the opening words
concerning the wicked man and his wrath, and this number was
not increased as time went on.

Five over-groomed children, the aforesaid Sunday-school
class, sat in the front benches. The gardener and a maidservant
from the Hall, who, alas S were apparently more interested in
each other than in the service, occupied a pew below the rood-
screen ; a very rosy-cheeked farmer's daughter presided at a

3i2 BROADLAND SPORT

small harmonium which at times wandered a trifle by reason
of weak notes and want of air ; whilst the two children of our
host composed the choir.

The service progressed in the usual manner until a hymn
was announced, when an incident occurred. The rector had
taken a severe chill in driving over the marsh dam the
night previously, and one side of his face was now puffed out
to an alarming size. It impeded his speech considerably, but
that seemed a matter of small import, for he rattled off the
service, and all would have gone well had he not attempted
to sing. But when the harmonium had played several bars
of music without any response from the congregation,
although the opening lines had been passed, he essayed to
lead his flock in the way they should go by singing him-
self,—

" Hark ! a thrilling voice is sounding."

The result was ludicrous. Without wishing to appear
irreverent one cannot but admit that it was impossible
to maintain a serious face. The gardener dug his companion
in the ribs with his elbow, whilst she stuffed her pocket-hand-
kerchief into her mouth, and soon afterwards they hurriedly
left the church.

All unheedingly our good-natured rector sang on, alone
and out of tune, with an absolute indifference to the large
diminution of his audience. Then he mounted the pulpit to
deliver his sermon. It was short and sweet, lasting but ten
minutes. It was directed at the children who sat in a row in
a pew exactly beneath the pulpit, and when the benediction
had been pronounced he solemnly walked to the vestry and
the congregation filed out.

This gave us an opportunity of examining the interior of
the church, which was interesting indeed. The pews seemed
to be hundreds of years old. They were built from solid oak,
inches thick, which appeared to have been collected from
wreckage from the beach. There were several monuments,
and a rood-screen adorned with rough carving, a closer in-

UNDER THE LEE OF NORFOLK SANDHLLLS 313

spection of which showed remnants of the gilt and colour of
bygone days. In the wall, worn stone steps led up to the
loft, which had now been taken away, and all around be-
tokened that once the church had been prosperous and well-
endowed. To-day the tide of agricultural depression is
sweeping over it, and it cannot be expected, when the tithe
rent-roll fails to produce fifty pounds a year, that the rector
can keep up its former glories, educate his children and ad-
minister charity with the munificent hand that his heart
desires but his purse denies. In spite of all his troubles and
anxieties to make both ends meet, we found him contented
with his lot, and happy, ever ready to deny himself when he
could benefit others, and holding out the hand of friendship
to all around him.

In this remote corner of England scrupulous doctrines
were neither preached nor practised, and we do not blush to
confess that after luncheon we repaired to the reed-fringed
mere intent on pike. The wind was still north-by-east and
very gusty, but the sun was shining, and we hoped for the
best. So cold was it that we found a sweater, a cardigan
jacket and an overcoat hardly kept us warm, and our fingers
soon lost all sense of touch in handling the wet line.

Round the edges of the mere, dense reed beds smothered
other vegetation, and hardly a tree was in sight except the
little clump which shadowed the church and the houses sur-
rounding it. A small island was situated in the middle of the
water, upon which a fishing hut had been erected, and round
this we fished assiduously for hours. The channel running
along the western shores was also spun over again and again
without a rise, and as the sun dipped into the mists of the
marshes we gave up all hope of getting fish, and directed the
boatman to head our bows for home.

Numbers of wildfowl were on the water ; particularly we
noticed teal, mallard, widgeon and pochards, not to mention a
colony of coots, whose spluttering on rising would have disturbed
any fish they passed over. So far as sport with the rod was
concerned, our first afternoon was a blank ; but we glanced

3-t4 BROADLAND SPORT

over that broad expanse of water and registered a vow that
two more days should not pass before some of the mighty
pike we were assured that it contained were lured forth.
Poling our punt up a narrow channel, through the reeds and
sedges, we disjointed the rods, sunk the bait can, and went
home.

On the morrow we had arranged to visit the sandhills
where the rabbit warren was located. To those who have
never shot over sandhills, the experience is a novel and
thrilling one. We looked forward to the sport with eagerness
and impatience.

During the night it froze hard, and before the sun had had
time to melt the hoar frost from the hedgerows, we were
afield with beaters and dogs. Taking on our way some of the
roughest and foulest stubbles we have ever walked over, we
put up covey after covey of partridges (mostly Frenchmen),
straggling little bunches of green plover, and an occasional
snipe. The air was still and biting, the heavy curtain of
white mist had not been entirely dissolved, and weary
migrants were observable winging their way inland after a
long flight over the German Ocean.

The shyness of the birds kept them well out of harm's
way at the outset, but we were driving all before us, and we
rejoiced to see them seek the refuge of the marram grass on
and under the lee of the sandhills, where we knew we could
handle them to advantage. A quarter of a mile on the land
side of, and running parallel with, the sandhills was a large
dyke with a high wall beside it. This was for drainage
purposes, and also to keep the sea water from flooding the
marshes in case it broke through the hills. Between this wall
and the foreshore lay a waste land covered with rank
herbage. At frequent intervals stagnant pools encouraged
the growth of the black rush, the^evergreen rush, and sedgy
spear grass, whilst here and there small patches of sweet
grasses extended as smooth and even as the well-kept greens
on golf links. These luxuriant feeding-grounds were kept
close cropped by the rabbits, which were numerous.

UNDER THE LEE OF NORFOLK SANDHLLLS 315

We walked in line and fired to our hearts' content.
Every few yards we kicked up a rabbit, sometimes several,
but to stop them as they darted through the rank ground
growth, over the limited open spaces, or round a tussock of
rushes, required some skill. Every fifty yards or so we came
upon a hillock or mound, where the rabbits found they could
burrow, and they had not omitted to take full advantage of
these outlying retreats. We had no ferrets with us, and when
they outwitted us by gaining a temporary shelter in
these refuge places we did not stop or attempt to unearth
them. We had no occasion to do so, for there always seemed
plenty more ahead. Having crossed, re-crossed, and well
walked many acres of this waste land with shots at partridges,
rabbits and plover, we took a beat along the sandhills, where
we found the best of the sport we had as yet experienced.
Alternately we walked, one on the outskirts of the hills, the
other along the tops, with beaters on either side of us.

It was exhilarating, sporting and exciting — exhilarating
by reason of the strong air and pure ozone which we inhaled
direct from the sea; sporting by reason of the shots we
obtained ; exciting by the difficulties in progressioD, and
because we had no idea at what quarry our guns might
next be directed. In many places the surface of the damp
sand had been frozen quite hard, and when one endeavoured
to run down what looked like a perpendicular slope, the
smooth sand of which we would naturally expect to find soft
and yielding, it was a disagreeable surprise to realise it hard
as rock, and in consequence to be precipitated from the top
to the bottom at a higher rate of velocity than was required
or desired. After a couple of tumbles of this description we
became more cautious, and when we were again deceived by
the outward appearances of a slope, the fall was broken by
glissading gracefully down upon the seat of our nether
garments.

Some years ago, before starting on a hunting expedition
to Norway, we had had a sling fitted to our gun, with other
alterations to suit probable requirements, and as we were

3i6 BROADLAND SPORT

using the same gun now, we fixed the sling and found it most
useful. The sling in no way interferes with the shooting, and
by throwing the strap over one shoulder both hands are free,
and the gun can be quickly brought up to sight any object
required. For some hours we enjoyed the most excellent
sport.

When a knoll was approached on which a covey of part-
ridges had been marked down we circumvented it, sending a
beater over the marram-clad heights to disturb the birds ; and
the shots they afforded as they whirred overhead inland,
coupled with the wild nature of the surroundings, gave a
thrill of pleasure to success which no ordinary day's sport
could produce.

Noon arrived all too quickly, and weary afoot and heavily
laden with the spoils of the chase, our faces were turned
homewards. Fain would we have continued the work until
the light waned and the curlew's weird evening call
heralded the coming gloom, but a telegram had unceremoni-
ously summoned our return, and time and trains wait for no
man.

After lunch, reluctantly we bade our adieux and were soon
retravelling the weary marshland dam, with its dangerous
dykes and giant watermills, our faces towards the uplands,
which could be but faintly seen on the distant horizon, our
backs, alas ! being turned upon those hospitable walls where we
fain would but too readily have stayed and seen more of the
goodly folks within.

As we bumped along on the uneven road, turning in our
mind the experience of the visit and gazing absently at a
mirage which glittered in the sunlight over the marsh level,
we reflected with satisfaction that we had at least left behind
two little souls supremely happy rattling their sweet tin
under the lee of the Norfolk sandhills.

CHAPTER XXIII

ENCH TICKLING

One stinging hot afternoon we were
sitting in the dinghy drifting idly
down a long dyke leading into a
secluded broad some distance from
the main river, with the sail flapping
against the mast and the main-sheet
over the gun'ale unfastened and un-
heeded. We felt almost too lazy to
gaze about us, and when our pipes
went out it was really too much
trouble to refill them. On emerging
%—<fis9W2t^ from the dyke the boat gradually
drew over the broad at a pace not
exceeding two miles an hour, and
would probably have continued its
course until stopped by a reed bed
had we not been awakened into action by an angry hail
from a rough-looking specimen of humanity in a light punt,
who was seemingly drifting like ourselves in among the
weeds of a bay more secluded and more quiet-looking than
the remainder of the water.

" Now then, why can't yer look out where yer coming to ?
Ain't the broad big enough, or do yer want to spoil every-
body's sport ? "

We informed the gentleman in question that " the intru-
sion was quite unintentional on our part ; at the same time

3i7

A QUIET CORNER.

3i8 BROADLAND SPORT

we should be obliged if he would kindly state in what way
we were annoying him, as we failed to see what sport was
possible under the circumstances in which he was placed."

This polite address failed to elicit any reply except a
gruff rejoinder to " hold yer blooming slarver* an' mind yer
own business."

By no means abashed at his rudeness, and our curiosity
being thoroughly aroused, we steered the dinghy into the
reeds hard by and pressed our would-be adversary to partake
of a drink and a cigarette, adding that we were strangers to
those parts eager to learn anything appertaining to sport, and
if he could be of service we were not averse to pay him well
for his information.

This seemed to ease his mind and he came alongside for
the proffered refreshment, which on such a day would require
a great tension of forbearance to refuse.

We noticed he had several very fine tench in the bottom
of the punt, a brace and a half of which soon changed hands
for the modest sum of one shilling. After the third glass of
beer, and when his pipe was well alight, he became more
confidential. He had caught them with his hands— in other
words, he was engaged in the illicit practice of " tench
tickling."

As long as the bottled beer lasted we plied him lavishly
with it, and not only did he tell of the secrets of his art, but
then and there gave ocular proof by several most successful
experiments. This was another example which opened
our eyes to the secrets of Broadcraft, and which made
us reflect again upon the fact that so little is seen or heard
of the really genuine primitive methods, devices and engines
that always were, and still are, used by the natives in certain
parts of these out-of-the-way regions.

When a visitor appears upon the scene, how quickly and
deftly are all pike-snares, night-lines, trimmers, liggers, nets
and other poaching engines stowed away, and the only too-
willing marshman (with visions before him of a week's
* Conversation — Norfolk Dialect,

320 BROADLAND SPORT

wages earned in a day) immediately essays to accompany
the angler, or whoever he may be, upon his diurnal rambles.
Indeed, the native is truly an indispensable acquisition, for
who more fitted to manage the boat and impart that local
knowledge so necessary to success ? Although the artful old
poacher may know full well at the time the bag will be light
in proportion to what his would be if he were out alone and
proceeded to work in his own peculiar way.

Of course, the numerous Piscatorial Protection and
Angling Associations which are springing up in all fishable
waters tend in a great measure to suppress this, yet in the
wilder parts, remote from railways, towns and "the mad-
ding crowd," there are those who have always gained their
subsistence, more or less, from the products of the water and
marsh. To them it seems hard indeed that their ordinary
course of livelihood should be deemed illegal, and many con-
tinue former practices, only under the cloak of stealthiness and
cunning, to avoid if possible the avengeful arm of the law.

Netting, which was once carried on to a large extent, and
by which means it was not uncommon to obtain several tons
of fish in a night, is now completely done away with.

Poachers might still easily evade the water-bailiffs, but
they would have great difficulty in disposing of their contra-
band gains, and the law, besides forfeiting all nets, imple-
ments, etc., found thus employed, renders the risks too great for
netting to be extensively indulged in. However, they make up
for it in a great measure by poaching on the smaller and less-
easily-to-be-detected scale, viz., by trimmers, eel-lines (with
many hooks), anchored lines, night-lines, and pike-snares, etc.,
etc., far too numerous to be here detailed, and which necessarily
cause a great amount of anxiety and trouble to preservers,
for, unless caught red-handed, the delinquents almost invariably
delude them by making off, disposing of their implements en
route. In many cases an apparatus for receiving and sinking
their quarry at a moment's notice is carried in their boats,
and when at last overtaken, they plead utter innocence and
ignorance of the offence with which they are charged.

TENCH TICKLING 321

But we digress — we are not speaking of poachers, but of
" tench tickling." This, however, although not illegal every-
where, is so in all navigable rivers in Norfolk and Suffolk (by
a bye-law passed in 1890),* and within 400 yards of any navi-
gable river or broad. It is considered as poaching, as it is
unsportsmanlike. Still, one interested in country outdoor
pursuits generally likes to know all one can about everything
connected with the subject, and so accordingly on this, our
first opportunity, we were initiated into " the art " — as indeed
it may fairly be called. Few places offer equal advantages for
" tench tickling " to the secluded and smaller broads of
Norfolk. They seem made for it, and every facility is to be
found, as will be seen in the following description.

Quoting the Rev. Richard Lubbock in his Observations
on the Fauna of Norfolk, he says that "tench catching"
(as he therein denominates it) orginated with a family of
the name of " Hewitt," at Barton, all the members of which
were fishermen and gunners. One of them, observing the
sluggish nature of this fish, attempted to take them
with his hands, and often succeeded. The art has
spread, and the system is better understood, so that
at this time there are in Norfolk fishermen who, upon
shallow waters — for in deep nothing can be done thus —
prefer their own hands, with a landing-net to be used
occasionally, to bow-nets or any other engines. The day for
this occupation cannot be too calm or too hot. During the
heats of summer, but especially at the time of spawning,
tench delight in lying near the surface of the water amongst
beds of weeds ; in such situations they are found in parties
varying from four or five to thirty in number. On the very
near approach of a boat they strike away, dispersing in
different directions, and then the sport of the "tench-tickler"
begins. With an eye like a hawk, he perceives where
some particular fish has stopped in his flight, which is
seldom more than a few yards ; his guide in this is the
bubble which arises generally where the fish stops. Ap-

* See Appendix.
X

322 BROADLAND SPORT

proaching the place as gently as possible in his boat, which
must be small, light, and at the same time steady in her
bearings, he keeps her motionless with his pole, and, lying
down with his head over the gunwale and his right arm
bared to the shoulder — taking advantage, in his search, of light
and shade — he gently, with his fingers, displaces the weeds,
and endeavours to descry the tench in its retreat. If the
fisherman can see part of the fish, so as to determine which
way the head lies, the certainty of capture is much increased ;
if he cannot, immersing* his arm, he feels slowly and
cautiously about until he touches it, which, if done gently
on head or body, is generally disregarded by this sluggish
and stupid fish ; but if the tail is the part molested, a dash
away is the usual consequence. Should the tickler succeed in
ascertaining the position of the fish, which, under favourable
circumstances he generally does, he insinuates one hand,
which alone is used, under it, just behind the gills, and raises
it gently, but yet rapidly, towards the surface of the water.
In lifting it over the boat side, which, it need not be said,
should be low, he takes care not to touch the gunwale with
his knuckles, as the very slightest jar makes the captive
flounce and struggle. On being laid down the tench often
remains motionless for full a minute, and then begins ap-
parently to perceive the fraud practised upon it. The
fisherman then, if he " marked " more than one tench when
the shoal dispersed, proceeds to search for it. If not, he
endeavours to start another, by striking his pole against
the side or bottom of the boat — several are generally close
at hand. The concussion moves other fish, when the same
manoeuvres are repeated. In this way fifteen or sixteen
good-sized table tench can be taken in a short space of time.
And in the course of a favourable day one good tickler will
easily secure five or six dozen.

However, " tench tickling " does not seem so pusillanimous
a proceeding as " trout tickling," for it is a well-known fact
that the former are very difficult fish to induce to take bait
of any description, and the only period that they are

TENCH TICKLING 323

apparently approachable is when the wheat is in bloom ;
then the best bait to use is potato paste.

Since the Norfolk and Suffolk Fisheries Act came into
force in 1877* no quantity of tench have been taken, except
in private waters, and the rivers and broads now fairly teem
with them. They are generally taken (in private waters)
with bow-nets, which are prohibited by the before-mentioned
Act. The habit which these fish have for exploring lanes
and holes in the weed-beds is taken advantage of, and two
scythe blades are attached to the end of a long pole, by means
of which a narrow lane is cut in the weeds, forming a loop
allowing the fish to go in at one end and emerge at the other.
In the middle of this lane the bow-nets are sunk and the
fish show little hesitation in going into them.

It has been observed that pike draw into the shallows in
the month of March, the local term for which is " bushing " ;
tench follow their example in June; whilst eels, on the
contrary, migrate, with the tide, the sharp-nosed, or grigs, in
the spring, the silver or broad-nosed eels after the first heavy
rains in August.

At one time tench were called in Broadland " doctor fish,"
because it was believed that the slime upon them contained
healing powers, and that when other fish were ill they would
seek out tench and rub themselves against them in order to
get the benefit of their healing slime, but it seems this theory
is exploded.

When properly prepared and cooked tench are really
excellent eating. After being caught they should be put
into a tub of clean water with a constant stream running
into it, or into a fish tank, and kept there for a few days and
fed upon bread, which causes them to lose the muddy flavour.
In transporting, pack them in wet grass.

The epicure should stew them in port wine, when he will
find that they are real delicacies, and, if properly cooked, he will
in future belie those who deprecate their gastronomic value.

* See Appendix.

CHAPTER XXIV

PIKE AND PIKE FISHING

A FORECAST OF PROMISE.

r 00D pike fishing in Broadland can
be obtained almost anj^where, and
worthy of much more attention
than strangers are wont to bestow
upon it. The best time to indulge
in the sport is the early autumn,
when the weeds are dying down
and the fish are in good condi-
tion, with voracious appetites,
when they are accustomed to
draw out from the shallows in
favour of deeper pools and
secluded bays. It is the time when the leaves of the sweet
chestnut trees have fallen, and our English oaks clothe
themselves in a burnt-sienna-coloured mantle and the hoar
frost is found upon the blades of grass at breakfast-time.

Then it is that the Esox lucius darts from his lair
with a rush and a swirl, cleaving the water like a torpedo
which causes the reel to hum and the blood to tingle in every
vein of the fisherman's body.

Then it is that the fish is full of life and activity, whilst
its appetite can scarce be appeased, so much so that it will
attempt to gorge other fish its own equal in weight and bulk.
At this period of the year nothing seems to come amiss to its
palate — rats, frogs, ducks, waterhens and other fowl, whilst
instances are on record where bathers have been attacked as
well as animals drinking from the stream ; even swans, when
feeding with their heads under water, are no exception.

324

PIKE AND PIKE FISHING 325

In Broadland the owners of private waters are not very
obliging in granting permission to pike fishers to invade their
waters until after the wildfowl shooting is ended, but there
is such a vast expanse of public water where the sport may
be indulged in, that the would-be angler need not concern
himself on this account. He need only remember the fish
are there, ready and waiting to be caught, whilst
auspicious weather, coupled with a fair amount of skill, will
ensure heavy baskets.

The ways and means of taking pike are legion, and it is
to be regretted that as many are taken in the waters of
Broadland by poaching devices as are caught legitimately on
rod and line. We plead guilty to the soft impeachment, not
once, nor twice, but repeatedly ; our only excuse is that we
have been fishing on private waters and have been ex-
asperated beyond measure by the apparent shyness of the
quarry and we have felt compelled to quench by some means
or other an insatiable thirst for blood.

In slightly commenting upon a few of these poaching
devices, liggers or trimmers should be first mentioned. When
these machines were in common vogue, twenty-five or fifty
years ago, pieces of brightly-painted wood were used which
could be easily seen and retaken, but as they grew into
disrepute and became illegal, less prominent and conspicuous
floats were adopted, a bundle of rushes being found to
answer equally as well, if not better. Again there are the
night-lines laid from a reed bed, a bank, or an island. Or
the crotched stick-trimmer is brought into play. It is as
ingenious as it is deadly, and is fashioned as follows : —

The poacher cuts from a hazel or elm bough a small crotch
similar to those used by boys for catapults ; holding his line
between the thumb and first finger, he passes it round the
back of his two first fingers, between the second and third,
round the front of third and fourth, through the second and
third, round the front of the first and second, and so on till he
has the requisite length of running line neatly folded in a skein,
which is then placed in the crotch. One end of the line is

326 BROADLAND SPORT

fastened to the stick, the other is wound round the inside of the
fork to hold the skein in its place, and finally fastened by
being drawn through a split in the end of one of the two
forks ; and it is to this end of the line that the poacher attaches
his baited hook. It is clear that if the crotched stick be sus-
pended pointing downwards, a pull ever so slight will draw
the line from the slit, and thus release the skein of running
line so that the fish is not checked while he gorges the bait,
and is only pulled up on attempting to move away. Armed
with one or more of these ingenious devices, the poacher goes
to the water at dusk, and attaches them to boughs lying
just under the surface, if possible, or, at anyrate, in unnotice-
able places ; but the submerged boughs, of course, afford the
best security, as, even after a fish has been caught, nothing
can be seen from above of what is transpiring below the
surface. Modifications of this favourite trick are numerous,
and are suited to the peculiarities of the stream or lake.
Most keepers are up to the old plan of fastening night-lines
to dead boughs or pieces of wood, and leaving them to drift
about, the poacher taking the chance of being able to get them
out again ; while many a good fish falls a victim to a dead
bait thrown in and left to sink to the bottom, especially in
flood time, when they feed close to the bottom and congregate
in quiet corners.

Snaring also is much in vogue in Broadland, and if a
native happens to have the good luck to see a fish lying in an
accessible spot he has it out in no time. A pole of some sort,
or a bough of a tree, is sure to be handy, whilst he soon
adapts his boot-laces to a workable snare, and the rest is
quickly accomplished.

Spearing fish by night has quite died out and is not likely
to be revived, whilst the nature of the district hardly per-
mits the use of lime, dynamite or chemical compounds.

With regard to legitimate angling, the number of fish
taken per annum since 1890 in Broadland is large. On one
private water, for example, the owner has constantly landed
over thirty fish in a day to his own rod. On the Waveney

PIKE AND PIKE FISHING 327

near Beccles one boat landed seventy-four in three days. On
the Yare, near Buckenham, thirty-one fish were landed in
one day ; whilst often it happens that an angler takes more
fish in weight than he can comfortably carry home. It is
rarely that a season passes without a long list of fish scaling
over twenty pounds each in weight being recorded, and a fish
of thirty -five pounds is by no means a record. The best centres
to make are Oulton Broad, Wroxham and Potter Heigham.

The local stories of pike and their ways are endless, and
visitors to Broadland will hear many, some of them real
startlers, if they take the trouble to inquire, when in the
neighbourhood. One which has been before recorded is
worthy of repetition.

It concerns a gander and a pike. The former developed a
nasty habit of wandering, so to cure it the owner tied to its
leg a big fish-hook with half a frog attached. The bait took
the fancy of a pike, who swallowed it, thereby arresting the
progress of the gander, and causing it to perform a number of
somersaults on the surface of the water. For some time the
struggle was most amusing, the fish pulling and the bird
screaming, each with all its might ; the one attempting to fly,
and the other attempting to swim from the invisible enemy ;
the gander at one moment losing, and the next moment re-
gaining, his centre of gravity. At length victory was with
the gander, who, bearing away for the shore of the pond,
landed on the green grass one of the finest pike ever caught
in the neighbourhood.

Professor Day, or " Josser " as he is dubbed by those who
know him intimately, is one of the characters of Broadland.
History does not record whether he earned the distinguished
title for his prowess at " the noble art of self-defence," or at
the more peaceful " art of angling," but it is a well-known
fact that he is equally proficient at either, and further, that
his skill and local knowledge regarding the latter sport is,
and has been, unequalled during the present century. The
Professor can tell before he starts out for the day whether
sport will be obtained or whether it would not be better to

328

BROADLAND SPORT

seek some other more profitable pastime. How he works
when the fish are shy and almost unobtainable is a secret he
shares with very few, but his results are invariably the same,
and one cannot but be envious of his takes, nor withhold a
wondering admiration of the masterly manner in which he
handles his simple and almost primitive rods and appurtenants
of the fisherman's outfit. To give a history of our old friend
"Josser," his experiences, adventures and doings, would fill

another volume as bulky as
the present one, and prob-
ably a great deal more
interesting ; therefore we
must rest content with but
a passing reference to this
veteran angler and hero of a
thousand thrilling episodes.
The legitimate fishing
as practised in Broad land
is confined almost entirely
to three methods — snap-
tackle, spinning and troll-
ing. Paternostering is by
no means fashionable,
although visitors may occa-
sionally try it, and the
same may be said of gorge-
bait and the other methods
of pike fishing.
In spinning, or, as it is often called, " casting," the Broadland
angler coils his line on the thwart,* or on the bottom of the
boat, in preference to throwing from the reel in the Notting-
ham style. Dace and roach are mostly used, and large bait
are chosen in preference to small ; occasionally goldfish and
gudgeon are taken out, and all kinds of artificial bait are used
for trolling. But a dead roach is mostly in favour.

Some anglers revive their bait with a drop of brandy or

* A seat running from one side of a boat to another— generally amidships.

PROFESSOR DAY.

PIKE AND PIKE FISHING 329

whisky, but the majority of anglers take plenty of bait
with them so they need not be used with a sparing hand.

Large landing-nets and gaffs are employed to extract the
fish from the water, but the natives use only their fingers and
haul them out by the eyes.

To give some idea of a day's pike fishing in Broadland we
will take another extract from our diary of bygone days
and recount the proceedings of an excusion we made to a
small private broad during the first Jubilee year. Although
it was by no means remarkable for the weight of the bag,
that particular day will in the memory long survive.

A Day's Pike Fishing

It was a sharp, crisp morning, with an overcast sky and a
gentle breeze stirring the naked tree-tops, that saw us rattling
along at a good ten an hour over the , frost-bound road en
route for the fishing waters. Hubert, our companion on this
occasion, was in exuberant spirits ; he had never caught a
pike in his life and was as keen to get there as any schoolboy
bound home for the holidays. Gaily he chattered about baits,
tackle and rods, not giving anyone else a chance to get in a
word edgeways, much less to answer the hundred and one
questions he iucessantly raised. Twice he insisted on stop-
ping whilst he dismounted from the cart to refreshen the bait
by a change of water from a convenient stream which flowed
under the roadway.

After he had for about the tenth time inquired if we were
not nearly there, we turned down an avenue or short lane
(called loake in Broadland) and reached an old-fashioned
farmhouse.

There was no keeper to the estate, but an old marshman,
who looked after the watermill, tended to our wants and
stabled the horse. He had been forewarned of our coming
and had accordingly laid a few liggers (planks) over the
dykes to facilitate foot passage to the broad; he had also
baled out the boats ready for use and occupation.

33o BROADLAND SPORT

In picking a way along the swampy glades of the low-
lying alder carr our spirits rose in anticipation of the forth-
coming sport, and we pictured in the imagination a record

The nearer we approached the water, the more convinced
were we of the favourable auspices of the day. The
sun was vainly endeavouring to break the cloudy barrier
which obscured its face, whilst a gentle breeze was
bending the tree-tops and blowing the fluff from the reed-
heads across the open water, upon which the wavelets rippled
and danced in the most inviting manner.

Yes, it was an ideal day for the sport and we had every
intention of taking full advantage of it.

On turning a corner of the thick fell we were brought to
within twenty yards of the boathouse, a primitive thatched
shed of picturesque attractions and built upon a small well-
chosen promontory of firm land which jutted into the broad.
Here a halt was called in order to fit the rods, prepare tackle,
refresh the bait kettle and partake of a final nip to luck and
prosperity before parting with our attendant and commencing
the business of the day in real earnestness.

The broad covered several acres, whilst its shores were
deeply studded with an impassable reed swamp, in which
otters loved to dwell, and being only three and a half feet to
five feet deep it was a wonder so many pike were to be found
there.

Surrounded by a thick belt of trees and bounded on all
sides by marshes, it looked like an oasis on the flat level ; but
when the shades of evening fell and the heron winged its
way thither over the thick marsh mists, the broad became
as weird and uncanny a place as it now looked pleasant and
inviting.

Hubert manned a large cumbersome boat known there-
abouts as a reed-flat, and steered a course, before the wind,
towards a watcher's house which nestled amongst the Scotch
fir trees on the northermost bank, as he had been told that
a deep hole existed some thirty yards to the south of it and

PIKE AND PIKE FISHING 331

he was eager to try his luck therein whilst we preferred
spinning round the bays-
Knowing there were two boats upon the broad we had
brought a couple of bait cans so the dace and roach could
be divided between us, and we could fish at our pleasure
without disturbing one another by constant calls for
requisites.

The first bay we tried had been disturbed by a bunch
of mallard and teal, numbering twenty-six in all, which rose
at our approach, and although we tried a cast or two we
could hardly expect to get a rise.

In the next bay we were not more fortunate, a large
dog otter disappearing before us on our rounding the point
of the reeds, and we knew from former experience that it
was little use fishing in his wake. So we turned the bow
of the punt and rowed towards the northern shore, passing
Hubert on the way, sitting contentedly over the hole which
he had successfully managed to locate and in which a lively
roach, deftly suspended from a patent invisible trace, was
now vainly endeavouring to free itself.

Away to the right lay a quiet, secluded bay with trees
and rushes growing round its shores in wild profusion. It
was out of the wind and the foliage was reflected on its
surface with mirror-like exactness. It looked just the place
for a small Jack, and without disturbing the water we
carefully curled our line upon the bottom boards, and casting
the bait well into the edge of the rushes, so that it alighted
upon the water with little splash, commenced to work it
gently inwards. Before two yards of the line had been
recovered there was a mighty swirl in the placid waters
and the reel hummed in a manner which did the heart
good.

We looked round to see whether our luck had attracted
Hubert's attention, and were only too delighted to see him
standing up in his boat giving the butt of his rod to a
fish which bent it almost double.

Although our Jack had gone off with such a rush it was

332 BROADLAND SPORT

soon played out, and ten minutes later we pulled it into
the boat. It was a healthy, good -conditioned fish, scaling
about six pounds, lightly hooked, and as game as fish of that
size usually are. On the other hand, Hubert's fish was by
no means so easily landed. Three times he reeled it to the
boat after he had played it for a good fifteen minutes, and
three times it rushed from him, taking out ten or fifteen
yards of line on each occasion. We were watching him with
the greatest interest when he frantically signalled to us to
come to his assistance. Thinking that he would hardly do
this unless he had hooked something extraordinary we made
all haste to obey, and a few moments later had punted up
behind him and boarded the flat. He was so excited he
could hardly speak. When he did so he gasped, " For
heaven's sake gafi him — I can't. Don't lose him whatever
you do. Isn't he a shark and no mistake ? "

Again he reeled in the fish, but just as we were about to
plant the gaff in its side it gave a turn of its tail and as
nearly as possible broke the trace.

We rebuked Hubert forcibly but he immediately retali-
ated in a similar train, for he was so over anxious to success-
fully land the fish that we all but lost it.

For the fifth time he reeled it in, and on this occasion
no mistake was made. A well-directed jerk, a splash, and
a beautiful pike of about eleven or twelve pounds in weight
was jumping on the bottom of the boat.

It was Hubert's first fish and his joy knew no bounds.
So enchanted was he with his catch that he simply sat
gloating over the prize for nearly an hour before he would
attempt to try for another. Sitting thus we left him and
worked our way all round the water, spinning every bay,
hole and corner that was thought at all likely to hold a
fish.

At midday we repaired to the before-mentioned watch-
house to lunch and while away a couple of hours sketching.

From two-thirty to five we fished assiduously — spinning,
trolling and with snap-tackle.

PIKE AND PIKE FISHING 333

Of runs we had many, but the fish seemed loth to bite
firmly and after a few seconds' play we lost them. Several
peculiar incidents happened which more particularly caused
us to remember that day from many others. For instance,
after some considerable sport we drew a nice fish of about
nine pounds to the side of the punt, and as we were reaching
down for our gaff it freed itself from the tackle and
made off. We again had recourse to rebukes self-merited,
but fortunately we were at that time fishing with snap-tackle
and had two rods out, one on each side of the boat. Imagine
our astonishment on turning round to follow the course
the lost fish had taken in the clear shallow water, to perceive
it most distinctly make for the other bait and take it.
Quickly catching up this rod we struck the fish and
eventually landed it.

On another occasion we were quietly punting through
some rushes to stir the fish up a bit when we saw one strike
in a bay ahead, and casting a live bait well out we soon had
a run and secured the fish. It was not a large one, but quite
big enough to kill. This fish we took out by the eyes, and
no sooner had we got a firm hold of it than it spat out the
bait and tackle, so we really picked the fish out of the broad
with our fingers only. Throwing it into the boat we turned
round to the bait can and proceeded to put on another dace,
when to our annoyance the fish, which seemed to have
vindictive intentions, jumped up and inserted its teeth into
a very tender part of the anatomy which politeness forbids
us to mention, although we may perhaps go so far as to say
that we did not sit down in comfort for some time afterwards.

It is not uncommon to hear of fish that have attacked
persons when in the water either whilst bathing or search-
ing for aquatic plants, etc. One story concerns a boy bathing
in a pond at Inglemere, near Ascot, who had to fight almost
for his life with a pike of upwards of thirty pounds. The
story has the impress of truth as the boy had the impress of
its teeth on his hands and arms, which he will carry to his
grave. It is by no means infrequent in Broadland to hear of

334 BROADLAND SPORT

instances where pike have made a rush at people's fingers
when they have been dabbling them in the water over the
side of a boat, which stories may have given rise to Mr
Pennall's pleasantry, that these fish are "piscivorous,
carnivorous, hominivorous and omnivorous."

When we had reached the boathouse and given up for
the day, one of our rods had been left lying in the boat with
a dead roach upon the spinning trace, which was not in the
water but dangling over the gunwale of the boat. A pike of
about two and a half to three pounds in weight actually
jumped from the water and took the bait. We played and
landed it, but threw it in again on account of its size.

This ended the sport for the day, so, stringing the
fish together, we loaded up the old marshman until he could
scarcely stagger under the weight, and carrying the gear
and other paraphernalia ourselves we turned our backs upon
the broad, leaving it in a peaceful solitude, which was only
likely to be broken by wildfowl and otter.

THE FISHING BOX AT BUCKENHAM BROAD.

.**-

A GAMEKEEl'EK S COTTAGE.

CHAPTER XXV

PHEASANTS FROM SHELL TO SHOT

During a long stay in Broadland, the doings on one
particular day, perhaps to us the most enjoyable of the many
whiled away in that delightful district, stand prominent in
mind. The exact locus in quo shall remain undivulged in
spite of the fact that the honest old English gamekeeper,
in whose company the fleeting hours were passed, has since
gone to his well-earned rest.

Good old Balls ! he was one of the best and as true a soul
as ever spiked the humble daisy, yet he was a queer customer
to tackle by anyone who did not know him or who attempted
to sail under his weather — as is said when racing on the
river.

The day in question was a lovely one, and luncheon had
been served in a manner that made a walk imperative to
well-being. Whilst lounging on the deck of the craft that

335

336 BROADLAND SPORT

made a temporary home, and lying at length upon the
hatchways in the shade, a wreath of blue smoke, curling
heavenwards above the dense foliage on the borders of the
uplands, called to mind the fact that an old friend, John Balls,
resided close by. What more natural than that an afternoon
walk should resolve itself into a visit to his cosy yet
picturesque abode.

A Ramble round the Coverts.

" Morning, Balls ! going for a walk round ? Well, we'll
come too if we may and listen to your idea of what covert
management ought to be" — and good old Balls opens his
wicket gate, crosses the rustic bridge which spans the brook
rippling past his cottage, and we foot it together down the
central glade.

Now John Balls, head keeper to , was a typical

specimen of what a head keeper ought to be. He knew
" what was what," yet never refused to listen to the views of
others, nor condemned a suggested improvement in his calling
without giving it a fair trial, because it was new. Like Cato
(where time was no object) he would reason with anyone,
because it could do him no harm and he might learn some-
thing.

" Well you see, sir, now the season's over, I want my beats
to lie as quiet and snug as possible, and I give orders to my
men to leave their guns and dogs at home. If a chap ain't
cute enough to get along with his traps, he ain't much use to
me. A gun is useful at times, and a good dog is serviceable
in finding nests, but I don't like 'em even then. No ! traps !
traps ! traps ! them's the boys for me. I can't explain to you
now, sir, all I know about traps ; I could talk for a week and
then I should want to go on for another — but let us just walk
through here. This is my idea of a covert, not too thick, but
just thick enough, allowing the sun to get in, with some nice
open places for the birds to play and dry themselves after
rain and avoid the constant drip in foggy weather. Notice

PHEASANTS FROM SHELL TO SHOT 337

how nicely the firs are scattered about. On that light-landed
bank over yonder are what the master calls Douglas firs —
they grow quicker there than any I ever saw, and silver firs
are just the same, while lower down, where the ground is
boggy, you will notice what master says are the black spruce ;
they are slower growing but stand a long time. We find the
common spruce does not last above thirty years, and are often
blown down just as they begin to be large enough for the birds
to use. In the little covert we are coming to shortly we had
an experiment. The undergrowth was all raspberry canes
and alder poles, with giant ash trees above. Well,1 master
had most rof the big trees cut down and the place well cleared
out to let the sun in, then we planted a lot of firs at intervals,
about three in a group, and now that place is one of the
favourite haunts, where ten years ago you'd hardly ever find
a bird. In another place we planted rhododendrons among
the undergrowth ; they provide good cover and the rabbits
won't touch them. Again, you know the ten-acre piece on
old Chunkey Brown's farm ? Well, that heavy land ain't
favourable for firs and such like, so we got some common yew
trees and put them in, three in a group, and they did wonders."

" What are those strips dug for ? "

" Oh ! you see we plant sunflowers, brank, garden peas,
and such like, because then the birds have attractions and
stay at home. By-the-bye, they are very fond of peas, and
we always give them the best of everything. Then you see
we tie up bunches of barley and hang them on the bushes, so
the birds must jump up to get at them, which takes up their
time, amuses them at home, and so prevents straying.

" I've heard of many ways of feeding them, and tried them
all almost, and, in my opinion, there is none to equal the old
rustic feeding-house principle. I've got one down here, and
if you've a mind, we'll just have a look at it," and turning the
corner of a nut walk, a picturesque little shed catches the
view. It w«s an oblong building supported by six unpeeled
rough poles sunk well into the ground, with others attached
at the top for rafter plates, on to which the skeleton of the

333

BROADLAND SPORT

roof was fixed ; this in turn was thatched with reeds (litter or
boughs would answer equally well) ; an open trellis floor of
poles was fixed a couple of feet from the ground, and on this
barley in the ear was laid. Underneath it was quite dry, and
as we approached an old cock rose from the dust and sneaked
out, causing a couple of hen birds, who were pulling down
barley from above, to notice us and accompany him.

" You'll find in the little water-meadow, near Blood moor

CEDING HOUSE

Hills, our fourth beat, a similar feeder for partridges, which
a foreign gentleman told me to try. It's got a trellis- work
floor like this, but is round instead of oblong, and the supports
do not rise above the flooring. In the middle it has a post
seven feet high, on the top of which a strong circular trap for
hawks can be set ; but as I've handled 'bout most of the
breed round these parts, there is little use for that.

" Down the bottom ride there's some work going on I
must see, sir, and maybe you'll also be interested — it's a
pheasant-catcher.

PHEASANTS FROM SHELL TO SHOT 339

" Speaking of that, there's many ways nowadays to take
birds alive, and I've tried 'em, but always gone back to my
old plan. Some keepers set up a coop with a stick and a
string on the old brick-trap principle, some use a kind of clap
nets, and some the round drop hoop, netted over, but I always
think nesting when it is brought in contact with the birds
does not do them any good. My plan is simple and sure
without hurting them. I take some hurdles, well interwoven
with heather or straw, and set them about near the regular
feed ground, gradually getting them nearer and nearer. First

I get one side up, then the

other, next put an end on,
then the top netted over
with loose twine netting.
The birds soon get used to
it and pay no attention to
it whatever, feeding on quite
confidently ; and one fine
morning when it's full I
drop a net across the en-
trance, and there they all
are, like fowl in the pocket of a decoy pipe, when I just pick
out what I want and let the others go.

11 Having caught them," continued Mr Balls, " they are care-
fully taken to the mew ; you must see my mew, sir, it's the
outcome of years' experimenting although apparently so very
simple. Ah, they've got the two sides of the catcher up.
Now, we'll go to the mew. Over this stile, sir, and across the
meadows to the Home Wood. '

Fifteen minutes later we enter the netted door of the
mew. It was a big structure, divided into several compart-
ments and very simple. A suitable position in the wood had
been selected and posts erected, around which was stretched
wire netting forming the sides to the enclosure. Rat-proof
netting was added all round to the height of two feet, being
interwoven with fir boughs. On the outside more rat-proof
netting had been laid flat upon the ground and covered over

A COVEKED WEASEL TRAP

340 BROADLAND SPORT

with soil to intercept the vermin, which, endeavouring to enter,
scrape down to the netting, then give it up as hopeless. In
one corner artificial runs with cover traps were set ; in one of
these a rat had paid the penalty of venturesomeness. The top
of the mew was open, allowing a visitation to the harem of
outside admirers. Mr. Balls also explained that he always kept
one cock in the mew, as an extra precaution, for if not, many
of his eggs turned out badly, besides which it had the effect
of attracting cocks to enter to fight his pinioned or clipped
one for the ladies' favours.

The inside was freely decorated with cut larch and fir
boughs, forming an excellent cover for the birds to hide or lay
in. The whole can be well described as the essence of rustic
simplicity.

" And now, sir, the birds are drawing up to perk and
the sooner we turn homewards the better ; and if I may
make so bold, perhaps you'll come in and have a bowl of tea
and see the Squire's new Irish water spaniel and my old missus."
Our further conversation was adjourned in favour of Mrs
Balls' hereditary rheumatism and the spaniel pup.

After we had agreed with the venerable Mrs Balls that
the weather was very very trying indeed, to say nothing of
dear John, who, by the way, was now luxuriating in the
fumes of a good cigar, we were able to again lead round the
conversation to the topic so ardently desired, namely, pheasants
and the shooting of them.

Poachers, and the Handling of Them.

Yea, verily, sir, the man who wears velveteens may well
sigh. He has many enemies to malign his character in those
who love to handle their neighbour's property, and he cannot
well fulfil his calling without raising their animosity.

Recourse to the law is often resorted to, and sometimes
with good effect, but, Lor' bless you, sir, I know a game far
better than that, and. as you know, there are few with

PHEASANTS FROM SHELL TO SHOT 341

coverts better stocked with game, easier of access, and yet at
the same time less annoyed by poachers than ours.

As I have before remarked, for all four or two-footed vermin
my motto is " Traps ! traps ! traps ! " And before leaving that
evening we were more than ever convinced that throughout
the whole countryside a more artful old cuss, and a more faith-
ful, honest servant than Mr John Balls was not to be found.

This is how he went to work : — He was not a great
reader, nevertheless, he knew the ins and outs of the Game
Laws, at least, whenever he did get a conviction the evidence
was undeniable and the sentence heavy. It was rarely
he " pulled a man," as he expressed it, for day poaching.
" What's a quid to a chap ? No, give him a lay-in job and
sureties to find when he comes out, if you beak him at all."

A mysterious man to some was Mr Balls ; indeed, if an un-
fortunate patronised his acres he was freely allowed to do so
at first, until, confidence gained, his nice little practices were
suddenly nipped in the bud by being taken red-handed past
the first hour after sunset, and more probably together with
several companions.

But Mr Balls derived no satisfaction from the law ; he pre-
ferred to meet his foes on even terms, and if he could best a
poacher he'd chuckle to himself over it for the remainder of
the season. When Mr Balls first came to that part of the
country, and before his reputation had gone forth, his beats
were particularly favoured by the mouching fraternity, and
as egging time drew round so assuredly did they. One in-
stance in particular showed his cleverness. It was as follows : —
He had somehow obtained an inkling that his whole place
would be visited at a certain time and he acted accordingly.
Every man living near to the nesting-grounds that he knew
was privately warned by him, and an old gun or pistol sup-
plied to each for emergency. The eventful morn soon arrived ;
when the worthy Mr Balls was as usual jaunting up a green
lane about daylight, he met a portion of the gang. He stopped
and discussed the weather and matters of interest generally,
but did not forget to fire his gun thrice in succession ; within

342 BROADLAND SPORT

half-an-hour of his so doing every one of his pro tern.
watchers were out, the word having been passed over the
whole estate. It was lucky the preparation had been so com-
plete, for the number of the would-be eggers was considerable,
and in every covert they entered they found a son of the
plough with a musket on his shoulder ready to accompany
them whithersoever they listed. In disgust they adjourned to
a distant alehouse, where the following sentiment was given

vent to : — " 'Tain't no blimey use a coming to this 'ere

place, every covert has a great hairy with a

great gun on his shoulder 'im and that there

Balls too."

Another gentleman of the same class, not to be led into
committing himself, was however compelled to dive pretty
deeply into his pocket. This youth was fond of trespassing,
until he one day climbed over a rail fencing (doctored by Mr
Balls), and the amount of the trespass, damages and costs
created an impression upon his memory which caused him in
future to favour other " fields and pastures new."

Following the same principle, he successfully caught an
egger near a low-lying alder carr on the marshes. He was
seen hanging about in the neighbourhood and preparations
for his welfare were accordingly made. A plank was doctored
by sawing it half through and filling up the incision. It was
then laid in place of the sound one, which it resembled, and a
short time afterwards it deposited its victim into three feet of
water and four of soft black highly-scented sediment.

Stretched wire he advocated as a splendid and favourite
adoption as a preventive against the intrusion of both man
and dog. It should be just high enough to allow a hare or
rabbit to pass under, but low enough to catch a dog. But
what a poacher most dreads are pitfalls. These are more often
associated with the wooden dummy pheasants, and act when
the poacher, having his eye on the dummies, is walking round
preparatory to his attempts to secure them. All keepers who
have large woods under their surveillance should also bear in
mind that poachers often slip into them before it is daylight,

PHEASANTS FROM SHELL TO SHOT 343

securing the pheasants round and about the feeding grounds ;
they remain in the wood till darkness again sets in, when
they leave with their ill-gotten gains.

Last, but not least, never resort to lawyers until a really
good case has been obtained and the evidence is strong,
otherwise you will do no good, and have to pay pretty
dearly for the amusement (?).

THE WATCH HOUSE.

Hatching and Rearing.

In springtime we keepers complain as much as farmer
Turniptops at the persistent cussedness of our eccentric
English climate — it is the period when cares weigh heavy on
our souls ; outlying nests give constant anxiety ; our hands
are full to overflowing with home hatchings, and last, but not
least, the partridges are enough to consign us to an early grave.

But faint heart never reared fat pheasant, and persever-
ance with care will work wonders. Let us take a cursory
glance at the work. Why does our keeper so persistently
search the boundary beat and the rough marshes next the

344 BROADLAND SPORT

river ? Ah ! as he comes home the answer is plainly seen, for
does he not bring with him a goodly supply of early eggs,
gathered from the first nests ; some of these he places under
hens at home ; with others he possibly fills up nests on the in-
side beats, which may from various causes lack their full
complement. He has reasons for collecting early eggs. The
birds, in all probability, will lay a second time, and the second
batch is more likely to thrive than the former, as the weather
will be warmer when the poults are brought off.

From the mew many eggs are taken, each hen generally
averaging a score, often more, but here a point must not be
forgotten ; if the cock shows a partiality to chip or peck the
eggs he must instantly be removed, otherwise he will teach
the hens to do the same.

As these eggs are gathered they are set under hens, each
of which is entered on the keeper's register with full details.

Silky fowls are, perhaps, the best mothers, and cross-bred
game are strongly recommended, but any hen will do if she
is known to be quiet and good-tempered. Brahma- Dorkings
are spoken of as free from vice or disease, perfect sitters and
devoted mothers; being sociable and not active, they are
easily kept within bounds, but are wide rangers when free.

Hens should not be set in a close, stuffy shed, but where
they can obtain as much air as possible, an open door not
being sufficient. We know one keeper who places his coops
on the ground, setting his hens under them ; an improvement
upon this principle are the hatching and nest boxes with
netted bottoms.

The hens are trained to come off for food and exercise at
regular times, when the eggs are sprinkled with water and
turned. A dust bath, with black sulphur in it, is a capital
antidote for vermin, and very healthy for the old birds.
Whilst sitting they should further be dusted with "insect"
powder, and the same freely used in their laying boxes ; this
will be found successful in driving away any remaining
vermin, which otherwise tend to make them irritable and bad-
tempered.

PHEASANTS FROM SHELL TO SHOT 345

The incubation period progressing, the eggs are tested by
looking at them before a strong light; the bad being rejected
and their places filled up by others set on the same date.

As the twenty-fourth and last day of sitting draws near,
the nests set the same date should be thoroughly examined,
and the most forward eggs placed under the same hen. The
hens must also be watched to see that they do not kill their
poults as fast as they are hatched, and if they are restless
and uneasy when some of their birds are off, must be put out
at once, and the unhatched eggs transferred to another hen.
It is the wisest course to knock all bad mothers on the head.

The mother and poults are now transferred for a day or
so to a coop, when, the weather being dry, they are conveyed
to the field where they are to be reared, prior to being turned
into the woods.

The site of a rearing - ground is always a debatable
one. Mr Balls was in favour of rough layers or a light-
landed park, with an acclivity if possible. Paths should
be cut, dividing off the standing grass into squares like
a chess-board, thereby affording the youngsters a cool
retreat from the glare of the midday sun. Here they
are under constant surveillance, each coop packed up at even-
tide, opened again early in the morning, and moved twice
daily. They must be fed frequently, and at first it will be
found an advantage to lay a thin board near to each coop
to scatter the food upon, as the poults are not strong enough
to search amongst the herbage for it.

Their food now is an all-important item ; it must be of the
very best, and expense must not be spared. Chopped eggs,
boiled rice (each grain separate), curds, greaves, bread crumbs,
custards, bruised hemp seed, and finely-chopped green food,
etc. A little good artificial food will be found invaluable, as,
when mingled with other foods, it adds an irresistible relish,
warding off that deplorable sight of fine healthy birds pining
and wasting away in the midst of plenty because their diet is
unnatural to them. Ants' eggs are valuable, but care must be
used in giving gentles, and on no account do so unless they are

346 BROADLAND SPORT

perfectly white in colour. But on this point of food two persons
rarely hold the same views, each clinging to his own despite
the arguments of others, reminding one of Butler's lines —

"He that complies against his will
Is of the same opinion still."

This diversity of opinion may be accounted for by the fact
that the birds require different diet according to the climate,
situation and surroundings in which they are being reared.

It is always as well, however, to hear the experience of
others. We move with the times. The rearing of young
pheasants has become a science, and it has been proved by
the best authorities that the judicious mingling of artificial
food with their natural diet is not only beneficial, but, to
hand-reared birds, an indispensable necessity.

Mr Balls' motto was — " Try everything and decide by
results."

Water is another equally debatable subject ; somegivemuch,
many little, and others none at all. An unlimited supply of
pure spring water is correct. If it is stagnant, or open to
the excrement of the birds, they will be liable to gapes. Moral
— change it as often as possible. A remedy for this is
dilution with camphor, or giving the birds camphor pills.

The old and well-known cure for gapes is, of course, spirits
of turpentine, which is administered down the windpipe by
the assistance of a feather tip, but Mr. W. B. Tegetmeier, in
his most excellent book on pheasants, gives the result of an
experiment with the fumes of carbolic acid as highly successful,
and the authority of one so experienced is well worthy of re-
petition. " It can easily be accomplished by putting three or
four drops of the carbolic acid in a spoon, holding the latter
over the flame of a lamp, and placing the head of the affected
bird in a cloud of rising vapour." In this case each bird is
separately treated, which means work where many are
affected, and, therefore, it would seem that the present
methods of fumigating are more easily manipulated and
equally effective.

PHEASANTS FROM SHELL TO STLOT 347

Finally, the birds which are to be turned out should be
fed for a long period after they have left the hen, for
they are not so capable of providing for themselves as their
wilder brethren, yet they will by degrees take to the roving life
free and unhampered by human yoke, until the eventful day
of the year arrives when, let us hope, they will only succumb
to a shot worthy of the endless trouble and anxiety they have
given to him who has watched and tended them from their
earliest youth upwards.

Thus did Balls ramble on unceasingly whilst we nodded
our acquiescence and made mental notes of what was new to
us.

A casual remark upon the oft-arising controversy in lead-
ing sporting journals regarding battue versus the old
fashioned style of shooting, caused the veteran keeper's eyes
to twinkle, and he raised himself on his elbow for a fresh out-
burst of sporting lore.

Pheasant Shooting.

Some there are who condemn pheasant shooting as
slaughter, others positively affirm that there can be no sport
in it.

" Who couldn't hit a bird as big as a diminutive haystack
and as tame as the common garden hen? They are reared like
chickens, coming at your beck or whistle, and the day before
the shoot turned off in the woods. Even then they have to
be probed with sticks before they will rise, and when they do
get up they offer the easiest of shots."

Now, this is all very well to state, but how many places
are there in the United Kingdom where such cowardly and
unsportsmanlike proceedings take place.

Not one ! Persons who make such statements, are
piteously ignorant of the details, and unduly prejudiced
Pheasant shooting, when properly conducted, is veritable
sport ; indeed, it is the sport of princes.

Where is the man who, having enjoyed a well-organised

348 BROADLAND SPORT

day at these birds, can condemn it ? If such there be, he
would either eclipse the immortal Ananias or he could have
no love for the gun or its usual surroundings ; his soul could
never have been roused by the sport of shooting, and he could
not realise one spark of that overpowering fascination and
enjoyable excitement which takes possession of the true sports-
man's every sense and nerve.

Yet, however good the sport may be, it is a very difficult
task to evenly distribute it or bring it about in such a manner
as to please all who participate therein, unless the whole party
is comprised of real genuine sportsmen, for they alone remain
fully satisfied with whatever their position or luck may bring,
and realise almost as much pleasure in observing their neigh-
bours' success as though they were similarly situated.

In partridge shooting this is a much easier matter, for there
one can either walk the birds up, drive them, or intermingle
the two. Positions can be drawn for, allotted by the host, or
placed in the hands of a head keeper. They can be reversed
or changed each beat, or once only, after lunch. And, as a
rule, with these provisions, each gun comes in for his fair
share of the shooting, although, of course, " luck," in this as
in everything else, will occasionally have its sway.

But in pheasant shooting it is totally different. The
birds almost invariably favour certain corners, where they
will break, no matter who or what is there to prevent
them. Then there are other places where they now and again
break according to the atmospherical effect or fancy, so the
chances of the guns occupying more or less desirable positions
are, to say the least, uncertain and precarious. Nevertheless,
guns must be placed there, otherwise, with the invariable
perverseness of nature, the birds would be sure to break on
the first occasion of the omission.

The guns who walk with the beaters have few op-
portunities at the genuine rocketer, except an occasional
shot at a bird which either from lack of courage or sly
cunning endeavours to steal back over the tree - tops.
These joys are few and far between ; nevertheless, they

PHEASANTS FROM SHELL TO SHOT 349

are made up for in a way, as the guns who walk have
all they can manage in looking after ground game ; so,
taking one consideration with another, this is a berth, if
anything, to be desired rather than avoided.

The wing guns who perambulate the outskirts of the
cover do not always occupy an enviable time or position,
unless the boundaries are very rough and irregular, in which
case ground game and birds are constantly breaking.

Now all these — to the outside guest — trivial details must
be carefully taken into consideration and provided for by
the host, who should rind out and remember after each drive
what shooting the guns have had, and on the next occasion
replace them with a view to divide the sport to the best
of his ability, also according to how and where he desires
the game killed.

There is yet another difficulty to be contended against.
The birds will run forward and congregate, instead of rising
by degrees, as desired. Many are the stratagems, methods
and plans resorted to in endeavours to reverse this state of
affairs. Sometimes nets are placed at intervals, rags on
strings, small hoardings, stops, etc., all of which more or
less tend to interfere with the ground game. But, of course,
if this objection is immaterial, they probably may be utilised
with success.

To exemplify the above, an instance is quoted which took
place on Balls' home beat. On that occasion, whilst shooting
the big wood, where the bag amounted to upwards of 400,
until an hour previous to knocking off two solitary pheasants
only were killed, which, having risen far ahead of the beaters,
were stopped whilst endeavouring to break back. The entire
body ran for one corner, which was surrounded, with the
before-mentioned result.

Another trouble to be surmounted is, to so work the
birds that, besides moving in the direction desired, they at
the same time offer to the shooters the most difficult shots
'possible. And this, as a rule, is the hardest task to
successfully achieve.

35°

BROADLAND SPORT

^$J

>#^

There are always some birds which work the exact reverse
in every respect to what is desired ; others lie so close that
they never rise until fairly kicked up ; some sneak up drains,
overgrown ditches, and anywhere rather than fly, all of
which, if the guns are close to covert, are killed by an easy
shot at twenty or thirty yards' range.

Furthermore, unless the stands are considerately chosen,

the birds will be on to the

top of the guns before they

have gathered any idea of

their exact whereabouts.

This must be avoided, as,

| if such is permitted, the birds

1 will present themselves with

\ outstretched wings, skimming

along at a leisure pace, which

; is not wanted.

The target most desirable
is a bird flying high, strong
and speedy, in all the glory
of vigorous health and
grandeur, with a full sense of
the danger by which he is
surrounded, so that it is a case
of pitting your skill and cun-
ning against his. A bird thus
killed gives to the sportsman
a sip from the cup of true happiness. How sweet to him
to stop an old cock in all his glory as he sails majestically
along, sweeter still to hear his lifeless form crashing through
the tree-tops and underwood, with the echoing thud when
finally brought in contact with Mother Earth.

"And all his hopes and fears lie with him in the dust."

Not a bird stiff and cramped from long hours in a hamper
during conveyance from some rearing-farm, or tame, as our
biassed friend describes, which runs along before one, and

SIC TRANSIT GLORIA.

PHEASANTS FROM SHELL TO SHOT 351

only rises, or, rather, flutters up when actually poked with
a stick or trodden upon.

Yet, on the other hand, the stands must not be so exposed
as to turn the birds back or enable them to sheer off. They
must be placed, according to locality and circumstances, so
that they bring about the results desired.

In some parts it is next to impossible to situate the guns
where they can secure rocketing shots, in which case
one must act for the best and remain satisfied, for, as the
old proverb has it, " Contentment is more than a kingdom."

Beaters, too, cause great anxiety. Although the keepers
may muster them and see to their punctuality, organisation
and all connected with them, it is always advisable to have
someone in authority constantly in their midst — at least,
so long as they are in covert. If this is not provided for,
when they go into the underwood, where they cannot be
seen, they wander about in all directions except the way
they should go, following each other like a flock of sheep.
Before a start is effected it should be seen that they are all
equi-distant apart, and, most essential requirement of all, in
line. Do not allow them to shout and yell like maniacs, but
to keep continuously tapping the underwood with their sticks.
Advance steadily and regularly, always in a line, and never
permit four or five to get together in a cluster, as they have
a great partiality for doing. On coming to a ditch or other
stoppage the whole line should halt until all are over and
occupying their regular places, in line, before the advance
is signalled.

Now, although this may read to many as quite superfluous,
it is really a very serious matter, and greater care should
be taken in marshalling the beaters than is generally done.

In many large preserves, where the beaters are numbered
and drilled like a volunteer corps, they know from constant
practice precisely what is required. But in others, where
they are frequently changed, there is chaos.

The actual methods of shooting the game are various,
and worked according to the temperament of the happy

352 BROADLAND SPORT

possessor. To deal with them at all comprehensively would
fill a big volume, but perhaps the following paragraph will
imply far more than could otherwise be expressed in a
long-detailed argument.

A " shooter " is one thing, a "sportsman" another, who have
noticing in common beyond the handling of a gun.

It is overdone battues for shooters which work the
mischief and thoughtlessly unpopularise the Game Laws.

For sport the birds are reared, and in a fair and sports-
manlike manner they should be killed, not giving our
neighbours on the Continent the opportunity of saying, with
a shrug of the shoulders, " Ah, ze Engelsk fesant battue is
no sport, it is von grand representation of skill vitt de gun."

On extensive grounds, where the beats are large and numer-
ous, real business rarely commences before 1st November, nor,
indeed, is a bird killed — except an occasional brace for pre-
sents and the table, or extra wilful birds which persist in
fancying a neighbour's acres in preference to their own
comfortable and well-preserved home ; and that aforesaid
neighbour is known to be one of those objectionable gentle-
men who sneak about at all hours of the day, or gloaming,
gathering as his own " all that may come to his net."

But when this business does commence, when these large
tracts of wood, pasture and moorland, dell and dale, wherein
the echoing report of the death-dealing fire-iron has sounded
only to knell the decease of some arch enemy, when those
sacred precincts are at last invaded by that small and mirth-
ful army of guns, loaders, keepers and beaters, yea, even the
all-inspiring petticoat at luncheon, then indeed 'tis a day to
be ever remembered and looked back to with pleasurable
sensations. Tis for ever deeply written on the happy pages
of our retrospective past, never to be eradicated until —

" Death surprises us in the midst of our hopes."

There are many who consider woods and coverts a sine
qua non to pheasant shooting and that one cannot have
pheasants without them. It is not only possible but very

PHEASANTS FROM SHELL TO SHOT 353

simple for pheasants to be kept, and good sport shown with
them, on almost any estate (of fair size), provided, of course,
a certain amount of attention and a little trouble is given.
" A ramble round any properly -laid-out coverts " should tell
that the secret lies in the utilisation of the waste grounds to
make temporary holding places for the birds.

When the enthusiastic Mr Balls at last stopped for a
breather we chimed in that the time was getting away and
the rising mists might make the return journey over the
marshes difficult, not to say dangerous. Poor old Balls was all
apologies for having chattered so much, but on hearing that it
had delighted us beyond measure to listen, and that we should
not visit him again if he talked less, he conducted the way
to his rustic porch beaming over with good-nature, and he would
have gone further and seen us safely along the marsh dam
had we not almost forcibly insisted upon his remaining by his
own comfortable fireside.

The stars were bright overhead when the cottage door
creaked on its hinges, and the mists were rising.

" Good-night, sir, I shall look forward to your next visit.
Good-night, sir ! " The door is put to, the flood of flickering
firelight shut in which, as Gray expresses it, —

" Leaves the world to darkness and to me."

M P*

" SPOT

("Who said rats?")

CHAPTER XXVI

OTTER HUNTING EXTRAORDINARY

Otter hunting is a branch of sport not in very strong favour
in Broadland, probably because of the inconvenient nature of
the ground rather than the scarcity of the quarry. Through-
out the whole district otters are plentiful — more so, perhaps,
than in any other part of England — but in their home in the
vast expanse of reed, rush and swamp they defy both hounds
and hunters, and can only be taken in traps, or shot in the twi-
light of early morn or eve.

In parts of East Anglia where landsprings run from the
uplands to the marshland, or where trout streams wind from
one lake to another, otters are taken unawares, and if the
services of a pack of hounds can be secured a good hunt may
be organised. Occasionally a pack visits certain districts
where hunting is possible, but the sport obtained is not so
good as that shown in more suitable otter-hunting districts.

During the winter, when King Frost has covered every-
thing with his white mantle, and made the water, mere and
swamp accessible to all, otter hunts can be successfully carried
out, although the sport in most cases is reduced to slaughter,
and the fun and merriment which usually marks an otter
hunt in one's memory is replaced by a seriousness hardly ap-
propriate to such an event.

Or at times a scratch pack of dogs (they cannot be called
hounds) is collected, and a hunt organised in a district that is

354

OTTER HUNTING EXTRAORDINARY 355

thought accessible and suitable, although many of those who
make up the party entertain grave reasons for doubting it
before the day's proceedings are brought to a close. A search
in an old sporting diary unearthed the recollections of such a
day, which may be considered worth repeating.

It was one of the most amusing and exciting ever attended,
and it was only by luck that the date of it happened to be
brought to notice, cramped away as the announcement of the
meet was in the " wanted " columns, and sandwiched in with
a variety of other peculiar advertisements which the rustics
of East Anglia are wont to send to their local papers. Some
of these advertisements are often well worthy of perusal
from an amusing point of view. This one ran somewhat as
follows : —

"Grand Co-operative Otter Hunt.

" As of late several otters have been observed in the upper reaches of
the North River, a hunt will be organised on Thursday, the — th day

of 189 — , starting from at 10.30 a.m. sharp. Everyone is

invited to bring a dog?

Possibly, if the result of this invitation could have
been foreseen, it would have been omitted from the advertise-
ment altogether. Now, the traces of otters in the locality
named had frequently come under our notice when pike fish-
ing— many a fat half-eaten fish testifying to the presence of
these amphibious epicures. Indeed, when fishing in the
twilight, they had often been seen swimming from one bank
to the other, and when bobbing for eels one, unconscious of or
undisturbed by our silent visit, landed in the rushes within a
yard or two of the boat. Even had this 'prima facie evidence
been wanting, there was circumstantial evidence of the ex-
istence of otters in this part of the river by the frantic drives
our dogs would make into the dense undergrowth of reeds
and rushes when out at exercise ; but so thick is the vegeta-
tion of Broadland that it is almost always impossible to
verify by ocular proof what is actually the cause of all the
excitement that " Spot " (one of the terriers in question)

356 BROADLAND SPORT

works himself into on so many occasions, his bearings being
alone indicated by nodding reeds and the music of his tongue.

A hunt, on the upper reaches of the North River, where
it flows through undulating meadows and pretty wooded
landscapes, was quite feasible. The banks, although swampy
and overgrown in places, are usually firm enough to walk
upon for miles, whereas lower down the river, in the heart
of the broads, a wide margin of treacherous swamp, hardly
negotiable to a water spaniel, is the only apology for a foot-
hold.

This advertisement was attractive. The writer cut it out
of the paper, and on arrival home the excitable " Spot " (his
favourite fox-terrier) was informed that he had been
personally invited, and the eventful day, the prospects of
which were doubtless discussed every evening in the bar-
parlours and tap-rooms of the village inns for miles around,
was looked forward to with considerable anticipation.

The morning of the meet broke beautifully fine. Arriv-
ing at the appointed rendezvous it was evident the invitation
had been most cordially and unconditionally responded to.
Some brought one dog, some two, others three, and some as
many as six. Such a collection of the canine race, it may be
safely asserted, has never before been seen in the field, and
probably never will be again. Dogs of every description, and
every dog of no description, had come from many miles of
country round to swell the throng.

As Mark Twain would say, " There they were, black dogs,
white dogs, yellow dogs, red dogs, variegated dogs, flea-bitten
dogs, dogs with tails, dogs without tails, rat-terriers, bull-pups,
poodles, fox-hounds, spaniels, setters, Newfoundlands, mixed
breeds, pointers, retrievers, Airedales, collies, cross-breeds,
Scotch-terriers, Irish- terriers, Welsh-terriers, English -terriers,
and a multitude of other varieties, all growling, yelping,
barking, snapping and jumping about, while the noise was
like a menagerie at meal time." The crowd was as motley
as the pack. Well-dressed men in faultless sporting toggery,
with well-dressed dogs of high degree, mingled with the

OTTER HUNTING EXTRAORDINARY 357

evil-looking loafer with his still more evil-looking lurcher
snarling at his heels; whilst poachers (man and beast), on
the lookout for anything that would turn up, jostled with
absolute indifference against the velvet-coated keepers of the
neighbouring coverts.

Some of the light-hearted members of the community sang
vociferously

" We'll all go a-hunting to-day,
All nature looks smiling and gay,"

followed by other chorus songs which however were muchly
interrupted by recurring dissensions and disputes arising in
the yelping canine crowd which occasioned a good deal of
forcible language and strong application of the ash plant to
maintain even an armed neutrality amongst the seventy-five
hounds which comprised this heterogeneous pack. At length
a start was made working up the stream. Sometimes it
was necessary to cross wide and ugly ditches, and then the
scrimmage at the boats was most entertaining. Some suc-
ceeded in jumping far enough to toe the gunwale, and then,
to the delight of the crowd, would miss their footing and fall
backwards into the water in a sitting posture, sinking over
head and ears into slimy ooze.

At other times, when a covert was being looked, part of
the hungry pack would get on the scent of a hare and make
such a noise that they would lead everyone to think an
otter had been started ; or a poaching lurcher would pounce
upon a squatting pheasant, and the owner of the dog would
try to annex it unobserved — quite an impossibility under the
circumstances. Again, endless diversions were forthcoming
from rat-hunts. Not finding an otter, the hunters seemed
determined on sport of some kind — nothing came amiss to
them so long as it could move. In the excitement of the
moment some of the ratters would hit a dog when aiming at
a rat, the dog would resent the injury by fastening its teeth
in a tender part of his assailant's anatomy, the crowd would
laugh, and a fight was often the outcome.

358 BROADLAND SPORT

At one point in the chase a village wiseacre, who sat upon
a railing overhanging a partly grown-up but extremely
muddy-looking dyke, was holding forth to a gaping crowd,
and pointing out to them " where he'd seed the ortters," —
when he was unceremoniously capsized into the dyke by a
well-known poacher, who told him to "hold his slarver* and
let other folks pass."

The fun for a time was fast and furious. Leaping the
smaller ditches and ferrying over the larger ones provided
endless diversion, but minutes shaped themselves into hours,
which in turn slipped by with never a sign of an otter.

Otters there were in the locality beyond doubt, but
whether a "find" would be made seemed a vanishing
probability. Two keepers said they had only recently
despatched an otter by the unique method of one holding
it down with a spade while the other slit up its windpipe
with a knife, which, considering the chances of the victim
wriggling from under the spade, must have been rather a
ticklish operation.

After two hours of skirmishing through swampy thickets
and drawing all the most likely spots absolutely blank, a
depression seemed to settle on the crowd, and one and all
began to feel that their mighty hunt, which started so gaily,
would end in miserable failure. Anxious eyes began to scan
the horizon for the nearest " pub," when a furious barking in
some thick undergrowth of long dry grass brought the
hunters together and confusion reigned. A moment after a
magnificent otter tumbled headlong out of his lair, towing
the irrepressible " Spot " and another terrier, whose teeth
were firmly fixed in his quarters, over the banks of the
river into the depths below.

All three, otter and dogs, disappeared together. " Spot "
soon reappeared, sneezing and panting for wind, but con-
tinued to paddle about, raising himself in the stream, and
peering with most comical sidelong glances into the water
below to ascertain what had become of his mysterious foe.

* Idle talk.

OTTER HUNTING EXTRAORDINARY 359

His comrade, a plucky little Skye terrier, rose to the surface
some seconds later thoroughly exhausted, and the poor little
chap was barely rescued from being torn to pieces by the
swarm of dogs which, urged on by the excitable crowd on
the bank, mistook him for the otter in his sodden and altered
appearance.

The banks were now lined with eager hunters,and when the
water had cleared from the first commotion, which had stirred
up the muddy bottom, the quarry was viewed, and a most
uncanny object he looked swimming for dear life close to
the bottom, going at a tremendous pace down stream. The
crowd followed shouting, hooting and gesticulating.

Having gone sixty or a hundred yards the otter was
compelled to rise to the surface for air, when the crowd, how
excited almost to madness, again hooted and threw every
missile that they could lay their hands on at its head as it
showed just above the surface of the water. For a second it
was seen taking in a breath of air through its twitching,
dilated nostrils, its eyes glaring with indescribable ferocity
at its tormentors, and its fierce moustaches glistening in the
sunlight; then the pack of blood and mongrel dogs of every
variety of breed went for it en masse. Raising its head
and showing its formidable teeth, it dived again, swimming
with marvellous celerity. This was repeated three or four
times, but at length, unable to hold out any longer, it was
brought to bay and floated at the surface, filling its lungs for
the final struggle, its nose puckering with rage, and its long
white teeth showing sharp as needles.

An Irish terrier was the first up. Instantly the dog was
seized and dragged by the otter under water. When they
reappeared two other dogs rushed in to join the fray, the
long, brown, sinuous body of the hunted animal writhing and
twisting in the water with snake-like motions as it attempted
to drown its assailants by forcing them below the water.
It was a splendid conflict. The terrier, gamest of the game
in spite of the powerful plunges of the otter, held on like
grim death, fixing its fangs more firmly at every opportunity.

360 BROADLAND SPORT

But alas ! this splendid combat was soon ended. The otter,
amidst the plaudits of the crowd, was seized by as many dogs
as could find holding room, and dragged bodily ashore,
dying game and fighting desperately to the last,

It turned out to be a dog otter, and the scale
registered twenty-five pounds. Its remains now repose in a
glass case in a position of honour in one of the old country
Halls, but its features have lost little of their ferocity in the
preservation, as it still seems to snarl and glare from behind
the crystal frontage of this last resting-place.

At the death everyone turned up, wet or dry, and the
amount of (what in Broadland is commonly called) "jaw,"
" slarver " and " know " was something to be heard to be
realised. Everyone seemed to want to talk at once and to
tell everybody else " what ought to have been done ; how
the otter ought to have been killed ; what his dog had done,
and his dog before that," etc., and so on, without cessation.
Babel was let loose. Then there was a dog fight or so, which
resulted in the owners fighting between themselves, until a
friend tripped them into a dyke to cool their ardour, and
finally an adjournment was made to the nearest public-house,
which was soon drank out of everything except water. Then
the company broke up and wended their respective ways
homewards, accompanied by their four - footed com-
panions.

This narrative must not of course be taken as character-
istic of otter hunting proper in East Anglia, as a good pack
of hounds exists which is ably hunted on the very upper
reaches of the rivers and at times shows excellent sport ; but
these meets can hardly be said to take place in Broadland
proper.

APPENDIX

THE ORIGIN OF FISH PRESERVATION IN
BROADLAND

Many years ago fish were netted in the waterways of Broadland by
the ton, and old yachtsmen remember the days when large heaps
were to be seen rotting on the banks of the North River, from
Horning to St Bennet's Abbey, left there by the netters because
they were not large enough to send to market and because they did
not trouble themselves to return them to the water, although occasion-
ally they would sell them to a farmer for manure. It was also a
disastrous custom in those days to net the spawning fish when they
congregated in the shallows on the backwaters and broads, and to
such an extent was this practice carried on that in the year 1857
the indignation of Norwich anglers was aroused, and a memorial
was sent to the Norwich Corporation praying that the existing
Charter might be put in force, and pointing out that the Corporation
should take steps to protect the rivers against wholesale netting.
For the furtherance of this object a private meeting was held at the
old Library Room, St Andrew's Hall, when the "Norfolk and
Norwich Anglers' Society " sprang into existence, with the late Mr
James Skippon as Secretary. The subscription was only five shillings
per annum, yet out of this a paid watcher was appointed at a salary
of ten shillings per week. The Society did good work, but were
much handicapped for want of special powers to deal with offenders.

In 1870 Mr Skippon resigned the secretaryship in favour of Mr
Charles Jeremiah Green.

In 1874 a meeting was held by the Society at the Maid's Head
Hotel for the purpose of considering a proposal to apply for an Act of
Parliament to regulate fishing in the Wensum, Yare and Bure, Mr
I. O. Howard Taylor, the President of the Society, being in the chair ;
but had it not been for Mr J. B. Pearce legislative preservation
would probably have been delayed for many years. That veteran
angler spoke very forcibly in favour of a general Act, finishing his
speech by throwing a five-pound note on to the table and appeal-
ing to those present to follow his example. In a few minutes Mr
Pearce's original five-pound note had swollen to seventy pounds.
This lead was followed by Mr W. S. Everitt of Oulton Broad, who

361

362 APPENDIX

was more particularly interested in the Waveney, and who, through
the assistance of Mr Josiah Poyser and others, raised a substantial
fund for the purpose of including that river and district within the
Act.

In June 1875 a meeting was held at the Guildhall, Norwich,
for the purpose of conferring with Mr Frank Buckland, the Com-
missioner inquiring into the fisheries of the Norfolk coast. Mr
Buckland expressed sympathy with the object of the meeting and
promised his assistance. On November 1st of the same year a
further meeting was held at the Norfolk Hotel, Norwich, for the
purpose of receiving Mr Buckland's report, and on February 5th,
1876, a deputation from the Yare Preservation Society (the new
name for the old Norfolk and Norwich Anglers' Society) and
riparian owners visited the Home Secretary for furthering the
objects they had in view.

In January 1877 successful meetings were held at the Town
Hall, Great Yarmouth, and in February of the same year at the
Guildhall, Norwich, whilst a public subscription list was opened at
Messrs Gurney's Bank and a petition was got up, to which many
thousands appended their signatures. Thus by degrees the small
and ever-energetic committee of enthusiastic anglers gradually
worked upon public feeling until it culminated in March of the
same year at a meeting at the Royal Hotel, when support was
promised from most influential quarters in both counties, and
the Bill became looked upon as a certainty, whilst the greatest en-
thusiasm was manifested.

On the 12th July 1877 the Norfolk and Suffolk Fisheries Act
was placed upon the statute books, and at the annual dinner of
the Yare Preservation Society Mr J. J. Colman, M.P., President,
remarked that " had the Bill been introduced as a political measure
it would never have become law, but because it was supported by
members on both sides of the House opposition was disarmed and
the Bill was now operative."

Under this Act a Board of Conservators was appointed by the
Magistrates of Norfolk, Suffolk, Norwich, King's Lynn and Sud-
bury, who met at periodical intervals and framed the excellent
bye-laws which are set out hereafter. Meanwhile the Yare Pre-
servation Society, which worked hand-in-hand with the various
angling clubs of the district, continued to do good work — acting as
a kind of watch-dog to the Conservators and reporting to them
from time to time anything which they thought would further the
preservation of fishing and improve angling generally on the
waterways.

The first general meeting of the Board of Conservators was held
at the Shirehall, Norwich, on the 10th October 1877, at which it
was reported that the following gentlemen had been appointed
under the Act as follows : —

APPENDIX
BY THE JUSTICES OF NORFOLK

363

Name.

Residence.

The Earl of Leicester (Lord-

Holkham Park

Lieutenant of the County)

The Earl of Kimberley

Kimberley Park

Sir H. J. Stracey, Bart.

Rackheath Park

Sir Reginald Proctor Beauchamp, Bt.

Langley Park

Sir W. H. B. ffolkes, Bart.

Hillington Hall, Lynn

Sir Willoughby Jones, Bart.

Oranmer Hall

Sir R. J. Buxton, Bart.

Shadwell Court

R. Thorn haugh Gurdon, Esq.

Eccles Hall

Edward Birkbeck, Esq.

Horstead, Norwich

T. C. Blofield, Esq.

Hoveton House

R. H. Blake Humfrey, Esq.

Heggett Hall

C. Louis Buxton, Esq.

Bolwick, Marsham

Lieutenant-Colonel Duff, M.P.

Westwick

Lieutenant-Colonel H. Fitz Roy

The Close, Norwich

Anthony Hammond, Esq.

Westacre

John J. L. Lubbock, Esq.

Catfield Hall, Norwich

W. H. Jary, Esq.

Burlingham, Norwich

The Mayor of Great Yarmouth

Great Yarmouth

The Mayor of Thetford

Thetford

H. R. Harmer, Esq.

Great Yarmouth

BY THE JUSTICES OF SUFFOLK

Name.

Residence.

The Duke of Grafton

Euston Hall, Thetford

The Marquis of Bristol

lckworth, Bury St Edmunds

The Lord Henniker

Thornham, Eye

The Lord Waveney

Flixton Hall, Bungay

The Lord Rendlesham, M.P.

Rendlesham, Woodbridge

Sir Edward C. Kerrison, Bart.

Oakley Park, Scole

Sir C. J. Fox Bunbury, Bart.

Barton Hall, Bury St

Edmunds

The Mayor of Ipswich

Ipswich

H. Spencer Waddington, Esq.

Leavenham Hall, Soham

J. Thelluson Rowley, Esq.

Tendring Hall, Stoke; by

Nayland

364 APPENDIX

BY THE JUSTICES OF SUFFOLK (continued)

Name.

Lieutenant-Colonel H. M. Leathes
Thomas Thornhill, Esq., M.P.

William Angerstein, Esq.

Edward P. Mackenzie, Esq.

Dr Aldred

J. E. Crisp, Esq.

W. Spencer Everitt, Esq.

Alfred Cobbold, Esq.

The Rev. Robert Gwilt

The Rev. E. R. Benyon

Residence.

HerringfleetHall, Lowestoft
Pakenham, Bury St Ed-
munds
Weeting Hall, Brandon
Downham, Brandon
Dene House, Gt. Yarmouth
Beccles

Oulton Broad, Lowestoft
Ipswich

Icklingham, Soham
Culford, Bury St Edmunds

BY THE JUSTICES OF THE CITY AND COUNTY OF THE
CITY OF NORWICH

Name.

Residence.

The Mayor of Norwich

Norwich

J. J. Colman, Esq., M.P.

Carrow Abbey, Norwich

Samuel Gurney Buxton, Esq.

Catton Park

I. Odin Howard Taylor, Esq.

Norwich

R. E. Burroughes, Esq.

Norwich

Edward Field, Esq.

Norwich

John Barwell, Esq.

Norwich

A. J. N. Chamberlin, Esq.

Wroxham

Harry Bullard, Esq.

Norwich

J. B. Pearce, Esq.

Norwich

BY THE CORPORATION OF KING'S LYNN

Name.

Residence.

The Mayor of Lynn

G. Holditch, Esq.

R. Bagge, Esq.

F. J. Cresswell, Esq.

F. Brittain Archer, Esq.

King's Lynn
King's Lynn
Gay wood Hall
King's Lynn
King's Lynn

APPENDIX 365

BY THE CORPORATION OF SUDBURY

Name.

Residence.

Samuel Higgs, Esq.

J. Francis Hills, Esq.

A. H. White, Esq.

G. Lancelot Andrews, Esq.

Alfred Smith, Esq,

Sudbury
Sudbury
Sudbury
Sudbury
Sudbury

At a meeting of the Board of Conservators held at the Shire-
hall, Norwich, the 27th April 1878, on the proposition of Lieut. -
Col. Duff, M.P., an association was formed, called "The
Norfolk Fisheries Preservation Association," for the purposes
of collecting funds for and carrying into effect in the county of
Norfolk the Norfolk and Suffolk Fisheries Act, 1877, of which
Association the Conservators for Norfolk, Norwich, Yarmouth,
Thetford and Lynn were appointed the committee.

This Association was a success, its principal regulations being
the appointment, from time to time, of keepers, watchers, boatmen
and others employed by landowners to be water-bailiffs, with power
to act in certain denned districts and localities under the Norfolk
and Suffolk Fisheries Act, 1877, and the institution and conduct
of prosecutions in Courts of Summary Jurisdiction in the name
of the Board of Conservators, the costs of such prosecutions being
defrayed out of the funds of the Association.

In 1879 no less than forty-two water-bailiffs for the preservation
of fishing had been appointed by the Norfolk Fisheries Associa-
tion, 242 members had been enrolled in the Yare and Bure Pre-
servation Society's books, and many cases of poaching were detected
and vigorously prosecuted ; whilst extra water-bailiffs were ap-
pointed every year following.

From the time that Mr Buckland first took interest in East
Anglian waters he was always found to be of great help and assist-
ance, and in 1879 he promised Mr W. S. Everitt that if a meeting
was called to discuss the advisability of introducing foreign fish to
Broadland he would attend and deliver an address. The meeting
was summoned at Lowestoft, under the auspices of the Waveney
and Oulton Fish Protection Society and its President, the Rev. Sir
Charles Clarke. It was presided over by Lord Waveney. After
Mr Buckland had addressed the meeting, an interesting debate
arose, from which originated what was then termed The National
Fish Acclimatization Society, of which the Marquis of Bristol was
appointed Chairman and W. Oldham Chambers, Secretary. The

366 APPENDIX

first business of this Society was a decision to hold a fishing exhibition
at Lowestoft, Sir Edward Birkbeck agreeing to become Chairman
of the committee formed for such purpose. The support of His
Royal Highness the Prince of Wales was solicited, who favoured
the project, after which the venue of the exhibition was removed
from Lowestoft to Norwich, where it was eventually held in the
year following (1880) with great success. Following this exhibition
was another fishery exhibition in Edinburgh in 1881, and in
London at South Kensington almost immediately afterwards. The
London Fishery Exhibition, it will be remembered, was the fore-
runner of the London summer exhibitions.

In 1883 netting was totally abolished, except for the purpose
of obtaining bait.

In 1885 the question of angling rights on Wroxham Broad was
tried, but the defendant was fined one shilling and <£1, Is. 6d. costs.

In 1888 twenty-one angling clubs were subscribing to the Yare
Preservation Society by way of appreciation of their efforts concern-
ing river fishing and for the improvement of the sport of angling.
Several meetings seem to have been called to discuss the question
of a close-time for rods, but this appears to have been thought
unnecessary, one of the strongest reasons urged being that such
would deprive the poor of reasonable recreation during the best
time of the year.

In 1888 the city members commenced to subscribe £25 each
for prizes to the various angling clubs, provided the clubs registered
themselves as supporters of the Society.

In 1889 the Society for the Preservation of the Bure began to
sadly feel the want of funds, as also did the Waveney Protection
Society, in consequence of which watchers were withdrawn, and
without doubt the fishing suffered in consequence.

During the year following the Bure Society became merged in
the Yare, but the latter Society did not feel they were sufficiently
financially strong to take over the responsibilities of the Waveney
and Oulton Broad Preservation Society, so the latter Institution,
owing to want of support, has practically ceased to exist ; but the
Yare and Bure continues to flourish, in spite of the many difficulties
that beset its path, although, if the support was accorded to it that
it deserves, anglers and angling would be the more benefited thereby.

PRESIDENTS OF THE YARE AND BURE
PRESERVATION SOCIETY

1857—1866 R. N. Bacon, Esq.

1866—1868 J. Barwell, Esq.

1868—1869 E. Field, Esq.

1869—1870 R. E. Burroughes, Esq.

APPENDIX

367

1870-

-1871 ...

G. S. Hutchinson, Esq.

1871-

-1S73 ...

Major Micklethwait

1873-

-1875 ...

... I. 0. Howard Taylor, Esq.

1875-

-1876 ...

Sir Harry Bullard, M.P.

1876-

-1877 ...

Sir Reginald Beauchamp,
Bart.

1877-

-1878 ...

S. G. Buxton, Esq.

1878-

-1879 ...

... J. J. Colman, Esq., M.P.

1879-

-1880 ...

S. Grimmer, Esq.

1880-

-1881 ...

G. F. Buxton, Esq.

1881-

-1882 ...

... Sir Edward Birkbeck, Bart.

1882-

-1883 ...

... C. L. Buxton, Esq.

1883-

-1884 ...

Sir R. J. Buxton, Bart.

1884-

-1885 ...

Sir W. Vincent, Bart.

1885-

-1886 ...

Sir S. Hoare, Bart, M.P.

1886-

-1887 ...

Sir William ffolkes, Bart.

1887-

-1888 ...

. . . Rt. Hon. Lord Walsingham

1888-

-1889 ...

... F. Oddin Taylor, Esq.

1889-

-1890 ...

Hon. Ailwyn Fellowes,
M.P.

1890-

-1891 ...

... J. Cator, Esq.

1891-

-1892 ...

H. R. Burroughes, Esq.

1892-

-1893 ...

Fred Bullard, Esq.

1893-

-1894 ...

... Sir E. Birkbeck, Bart.

1894-

-1895 ...

... G. M. Chamberlin, Esq.

1895-

-1896 ...

... E. S. Trafford, Esq.

1896-

-1897 ...

G. C. Davies, Esq.

1897-

-1898 ...

W. Hackblock, Esq.

1898-

-1899 ...

... Russell J. Colman, Esq.

1899-

-1900 ...

Major Jary

1900-

-1901 ...

... Sir C. R. Gilman

1901-

-1902 ...

J. T. Hotblack, Esq.

Those who come from a distance to visit Norfolk waters for the
purpose of fishing should take into their consideration the fact that
no sport can be conducted nor maintained without expense, and
before they depart, it is to be hoped, leave a sum in accordance with
their means in gratitude for the sport they have obtained and to
assist these worthy Societies to continue in their good work. If the
Angling Press may be believed, London fishermen have a grand
time of it in Broadland waters ; but how much do they contribute
towards their protection? A few, it is true, give a subscription,
feeling perhaps that they could not conscientiously enjoy their sport
without doing so, but the vast majority, as the riverside boxes too
truly prove, care only for themselves or perhaps the money that
the fish they catch will bring to them in the shape of prizes from
their London clubs.

368 APPENDIX

For over thirty years Mr C. J. Green continued to act as
Secretary to the Society, but in 1901 he was compelled, by reason of
his increasing years, to resign in favour of Mr A. J. Rudd. The
members of the Society at present number 257 ; it has an income of
about .£150 per annum, of which at least <£25 is contributed by the
Great Eastern Railway Company, £15, 15s. is subscribed byway
of fees from local angling clubs (of which there are over seventy
in the city of Norwich alone), whilst under £2 is taken from the
many collection boxes which are scattered all over Broadland.

NORFOLK AND SUFFOLK FISHERIES ACT, 1877.

(40 and 41 Vict., c. XCVIII.)

An Act to preserve the Fisheries in the Navigable Rivers and
Broads of the Counties of Norfolk and Suffolk and of the
County of the City of Norwich (12th July 1877).

Whereas the Fisheries in the Navigable Rivers of the Counties of
Norfolk and Suffolk and the County of the City of Norwich and in
the Broads connected with such Rivers have of late years been
greatly injured and it is expedient that better provision be made for
preserving and increasing the same but that object cannot be
accomplished without the authority of Parliament. May it there-
fore please Your Majesty that it be enacted by the Queen's Most
Excellent Majesty by and with the advice and consent of the Lords
Spiritual and Temporal and Commons in this present Parliament
assembled and by the authority of the same as follows : —

1. This Act may be cited for all purposes as the Norfolk and
Suffolk Fisheries Act 1877.

2. This Act shall extend and apply only to the navigable rivers
in the Counties of Norfolk and Suffolk and the County of the City
of Norwich and to the Broads connected with such and shall not
include the sea or sea-coast.

3. The Justices of the Peace of the Counties of Norfolk and
Suffolk and of the City and County of the City of Norwich at any
Court of Quarter Sessions held in and for their respective counties
after the passing of this Act (due notice having been previously given
according to the practice of such Sessions) and the Mayor Alder-
men and Burgesses of the Boroughs of King's Lynn and Sudbury
(hereinafter called the Corporation) shall have power to appoint
Conservators as follows (that is to say) the Justices of the County
of Norfolk twenty Conservators, the Justices of the County of

APPENDIX 369

Suffolk twenty Conservators, the Justices of the City and County
of the City of Norwich ten Conservators and the Corporation five
Conservators each, which Conservators shall be a Board of Con-
servators (hereinafter called the Board) for the preservation and
regulation of the fisheries within the limits of this Act.

4. Whenever any vacancy in the office of Conservator appointed
by the before-mentioned respective Justices shall occur, the same
may at any time be filled up by any Justices assembled at General or
Quarter Sessions as follows viz. : — If the vacancy be caused by a
Conservator of the County of Norfolk by the Justices of Norfolk
assembled at Norwich, if the vacancy be caused by a Conservator
for the County of Suffolk by the Justices for Suffolk assembled at
Ipswich and if the vacancy be caused by a Conservator for Norwich
then by the Justices of Norwich, and if any vacancy shall occur in
the number of conservators to be appointed by the Corporation the
same shall be filled up by the Corporation of King's Lynn or Sudbury
as the case may be.

5. The Board shall be a body corporate having perpetual
succession and a common seal with power to make contracts and to
sue and be sued by the name or style of "The Conservators of
the Norfolk and Suffolk Fisheries."

6. No act or proceeding of the Board shall be questioned on
account of any vacancy or vacancies in their body and no defect in
the appointment of any person or persons acting as member or
members of such Board shall be deemed to vitiate any proceedings of
such Board in which he or they have taken part.

7. The Board shall meet for the dispatch of business and shall
from time to time make such regulations with repect to the election
of a Chairman of their meetings, the summoning, notice, place,
management and adjournment of their meetings and generally with
respect to the transaction and management of business including
the quorum of meetings as they think fit subject to the following
conditions.

(a) The first meeting after the formation of the Board shall be
held at the Shire Hall in the County of Norfolk within three
months after the passing of this Act and all subsequent
meetings at such place or places as the Board may from
time to time direct.

(6) An extraordinary meeting may be summoned at any time
and place on the requisition of three members of the
Board.

(c) The quorum to be fixed by the Board shall consist of not less
than three members.

(d) Every question shall be decided by a majority of votes of the
members voting on that question and in the event of equality
of votes the Chairman for the time being shall have a second
or casting vote.

2a

37o APPENDIX

8. The Board may appoint committees of their members, may-
fix a quorum for each committee and may lay down rules for its
guidance. Every question before a committee shall be decided by a
majority of votes of the members voting on that question and in
the event of an equality of votes the Chairman for the time being
shall have a second or casting vote.

9. Any minute made of proceeding at a meeting of the Board if
signed by the Chairman of that meeting either at the meeting of
the Board at which such proceeding took place or at the next
ensuing meeting of the Board at which such person may be present
shall be receivable in evidence in all legal proceedings without further
proof and until the contrary is proved every meeting of the Board
in respect of the proceedings of which the minutes have been so
made shall be deemed to have been duly convened a.nd held and all
members thereof to have been qualified.

10. The Board shall have power within the limits of this Act to
do the following things or such of them as they may in their dis-
cretion think expedient (i.e.).

(1) From time to time by writing under the seal of the Board to

appoint a sufficient number of water bailiffs and other officers

to assign to them their salaries and duties and to remove any

water bailiff or officer so appointed.

Provided always that nothing herein contained shall prevent the

Board from obtaining the services of additional constables under

the Act third and fourth Victoria Chapter 88 section 19 for the

purpose of carrying out the provisions of this Act ; such constables

when appointed to have all the powers and privileges of water

bailiffs and to be paid for their services by the said Board.

(2) To take legal proceedings against persons violating the pro-

visions of the Act.

(3) Generally to execute such works do such acts and incur such

expenses as they may deem expedient to be executed done
or incurred for carrying out the purposes of this Act but so
that it shall not be lawful for the Board to pay to any
member of the Board any salary fees or other remuneration
for his acting in any way as a member of or under the Board.
Provided that this section shall not authorise the construc-
tion of any works below high water mark or anything which
may injuriously affect any navigable river, cut or inland
navigation.

11. The Board shall have power to make and similarly from
time to time vary or rescind byelaws for any or all of the purposes
following (i.e.)

(1) To determine the time in each year during which it shall be
illegal to fish for take or kill or attempt to take or kill
otherwise than by rod or line all or any of the different
kinds of fresh-water fish found within the limits of this Act.

APPENDIX 371

(2) To determine the mesh size and description of nets and
to regulate the use of nets engines trimmers liggers or
instruments of any kind for the purpose of taking fish within
the limits of this Act. The Board may take any byelaw to
apply to the whole or to any part or parts of the said
navigable rivers and broads.

12. Any byelaws made in pursuance of this Act shall come into
force only when the following conditions have been complied with

(1) They shall have been advertised as proposed byelaws in one
or more newspapers generally circulating in each of the
Counties of Norfolk and Suffolk.

(2) They shall after the expiration of one month after such
advertisement have been approved by one of Her Majesty's
Principal Secretaries of State.

Provided always that all byelaws made in pursuance of this Act
shall be advertised as approved byelaws in one or more newspapers
generally circulating in each of the Counties of Norfolk and Suffolk
and shall be further published in such manner as the Board shall
think fit and the production of a written or printed copy of any
byelaws purporting to have been made by the Board and approved
by a Secretary of State shall in any legal proceedings be taken to
be proof of the due making allowing publication and existence of
such byelaws until the contrary be shewn.

13. Any person acting or attempting to act in contravention of
any byelaw made in pursuance of this Act for each such offence shall
incur a penalty of not exceeding ten 'pounds in addition to the
forfeiture of nets or instruments used in contravention of such
byelaw.

14. Any Officer of the Conservators or any Police Constable or
other Officer may within the limits of this Act stop and search any
wherry or boat in which he shall have reasonable grounds for
believing there are any fish taken or any nets engines trimmers
liggers or other instruments used or intended to be used for the
taking of fish within such limits in contravention of any such
byelaw and if he shall find any person using or attempting to use
or having used any such nets or other things within such limits in
contravention of any such byelaw he may seize and detain the same
and he shall in such case forthwith apply to some Justice of the
Peace for a Summons citing the person in charge of such wherry or
boat or in possession or use of any such fish nets or other things
to appear before two Justices who shall inquire and determine
whether such person has incurred any penalty under this Act and
in the event of the Justices finding that he has incurred any such
penalty they may determine in addition to such penalty that all or
any such fish nets and other things shall be forfeited.

15. Any person refusing to allow any such wherry or boat to be
stopped and searched as in the last preceding section provided or

372 APPENDIX

resisting or obstructing such search shall for every such offence
be liable to a penalty not exceeding jive pounds.

16. All penalties imposed by this Act and all costs and expenses
may be recovered in a summary manner within six calendar months
of the commission of the offence before two Justices as in manner
directed by an Act passed in the 11th and 12th years of
the reign of Her present Majesty Queen Victoria Chapter 43
entitled " An Act to facilitate the performance of the duties of
Justices of the Peace out of Sessions within England and Wales
with respect to Summary convictions and orders " or of any Act
amending the same and all monies received in respect of such
penalties shall be paid to the Board to be applied by them to the
purposes of this Act unless the Justices for some special reason
shall otherwise order and all forfeiture shall be disposed of as the
Justices may direct and the proceeds (if any) shall be applied in
manner in which the monies received in respect of penalties for
offences under this Act are hereby directed to be applied.

17. Where any offence under this Act is committed in or upon
any waters forming the boundary between the Counties of Norfolk
and Suffolk such offence may be prosecuted before any Justices of
the Peace in either of such Counties.

18. Provided always that nothing in this Act contained shall
prejudice or interfere with the rights or privileges of the body
corporate of the Mayor Aldermen and citizens of the City of
Norwich or of Great Yarmouth Port and Haven Commissioners in
or over the rivers and broads within the limits of this Act.

NORFOLK AND SUFFOLK FISHERIES ACT, 1877.

(40 and 41 Vict, c. XCVI11.)

Fishery Bye-la ws.

The following Bye-laws have been made by the Board of Con-
servators appointed under the Norfolk and Suffolk Fisheries Act,
1877, and approved : —

Close Time — All Waters.

1. No person shall fish for, catch, take, or kill, or attempt to
catch, take, or kill, otherwise than by rod and line, within the limits
of the above Act, any Trout, between the 10th day of September
and the 25th day of January, both days inclusive, or any other
kind of fish, between the 1st day of March and the 30th day of

APPENDIX 373

June, both days inclusive, except Smelts, Bait, and Eels, as herein-
after provided.

Nets Generally.

2. No person shall, for the purpose of taking Fish within the
limits of the above Act, do any of the following things : —

(1) Use or attempt to use any Net between one hour after sunset
and one hour before sunrise, except in the River Ouse below
Denver Sluice, and in the River Nene below Wisbech Bridge.

(2) Use or attempt to use for the purpose of taking Fish, other
than Tench, Smelts, Bait, and Eels, any net having a mesh
of less dimensions when wret than three inches from knot to
knot, measured on each side of the square, or twelve inches
all round.

(3) Use or attempt to use any Net having a wall or facing, with
a mesh of less dimensions when wet than seven inches from
knot to knot, measured on each side of the square, or twenty-
eight inches all round.

(4) Use or attempt, to use, in any navigable river, any Bow Net.

(5) Use or attempt to use, in any navigable river, any Drag Net
having a poke or pocket.

(6) Use or attempt to use a Drag Net of any kind in the under-
mentioned waters : —

(a) The River Yare or Wensum —

(b) The River Waveney —

(c) The River Bure below the lower entrance into

Wroxham Broad —
id) The River Ant below the lower entrance into Barton

Broad —
(e) The River Thurne below the entrance into Somerton
Broad —
except with the previous permission in writing of the Board of Con-
servators, under their Common Seal.

3. No person shall, within the limits of the above Act, use or
attempt to use, any Net for taking Fish, unless it is sufficiently
weighted to sink vertically in the water, or take or attempt to take
Fish by placing two or more Nets behind or near to each other, or
use any other device or artifices so as practically to diminish the size
of the mesh of any Net allowed to be used by these Bye-laws, or to
evade this provision.

Prohibiting Use of Trimmers, &c, in Navigable Rivers.

4. No person shall use, or attempt to use, any Trimmer, Digger,
Dead Line, or Snare, or any like Instrument or Engine, for the
purpose of taking Fish in any navigable river within the limits of

374

APPENDIX

the above Act, except Lines for taking Eels as hereinafter
provided.

Taking Smelts — Rivers Yare and Wensum.

5. No person shall, within the limits of the above Act, use, or
attempt to use, any Net in the River Yare or Wensum for the
purpose of taking Smelts, except a Cast Net or Drop Net, between
the 10th day of March and 12th day of May, both days inclusive,
and then only between the New Mills, in the Parish of St S within,
in the City of Norwich, or Trowse Bridge, in Trowse, or Trowse
Newton, and the junction of the Rivers Yare and Wensum at a
place known as Trowse Hythe, and between Hardley Cross and the
junction of the Rivers Yare and Waveney.

6. No person shall use, or attempt to use, a Cast Net or Drop
Net exceeding 1 6 feet in diameter, in the River Yare or Wensum,
within the limits of the above Act.

Taking Smelts — River Waveney.

7. No person shall, within the limits of the above Act, use, or
attempt to use in the River Waveney, above the Borough Cement
Works, any Net for the purpose of taking Smelts, except between
the 10th day of March and the 12th day of May, both days
inclusive, and then only at the places and by the means hereinafter
mentioned, viz., between Rose Hall Fleet and the Boathouse Hill,
near Beccles, and in the Pen of Shipmeadow Lock, by a Cast Net
or Drop Net not exceeding sixteen feet in diameter, and if any such
Net be used between one hour after sunset and one hour before sun-
rise, the same shall be used with a light or flare, and not otherwise.

Taking Smelts — Rivers Ouse, Nar, and Nene.

8. No person shall, within the limits of the above Act, take or
kill or attempt to take or kill Smelts in the Rivers Ouse, Nar, or
Nene, between the 1st day of April and the 31st day of August,
both days inclusive.

9. No person shall, within the limits of the above Act, use,
or attempt to use in the Rivers Ouse, Nar, or Nene, for the
purpose of taking Smelts, any net having a mesh of less dimensions,
when wet, than five-eighths of an inch from knot to knot, measured
on each side of the square.

Taking Smelts — Breydon Water.

10. No person shall, within the limits of the above Act, use, oi
attempt to use, in the water known as Breydon Water, for the purpose
of taking Smelts, any Net in the months of May, June, July, and

APPENDIX 375

August, or any Net between the 1st day of September and the 30th
day of April, both days inclusive, having a mesh of less dimensions,
when wet, than five-eighths of an inch from knot to knot, measured
on each side of the square.

Taking Bait — Navigable Rivers.

11. No person shall, for the purpose of taking Bait in any
navigable river within the limits of the above Act (except in the
River Ouse below Denver Sluice, and in the River Nene below
Wisbech Bridge), use any Net other than a Cast Net, or any Cast
Net having a mesh of less dimensions, when wet, than five-eighths of
an inch from knot to knot, measured on each side of the square.

Taking Bait — All Waters.

12. No person shall, within the limits of the above Act, use, or
attempt to use, any Cast Net exceeding eight yards in circum-
ference,* or having a sack or purse exceeding fourteen inches in
depth, when extended, for the purpose of taking Fish for Bait, and
the word " Bait " shall mean Roach, Rudd or Roud, Bream, Dace,
Ruff or Pope, Gudgeons, and Minnows, measuring less than eight
inches from the nose to the fork of the tail.

13. No person shall, within the limits of the above Act, Net for
Bait at any time on a Sunday, and no person shall, within such
limits, Net for Bait at any time on a week-day except between one
hour before sunrise and one hour after sunset, nor unless such Bait
is for use in angling, or trolling, or taking Eels within the limits of
the above Act.

Taking Eels — Rivers Yare and Wensum Above Hardley Cross.

14. No person shall, for the purpose of taking Eels in the Rivers
Yare and Wensum, above Hardley Cross, do any of the following
things : —

(1) Use or attempt to use, in the months of April, May, and June,
a line with a hook or hooks, except in connection with a rod
used for the purpose of Angling.

(2) Use or attempt to use any Net in the months of April, May,
and June.

(3) Use or attempt to use, at any other time of the year, a Line,
whether fixed or not, with more than one hook, except in
connection with a rod used for the purpose of Angling.

(4) Use or attempt to use any Net other than a Skim or Skein
Net.

* By a Resolution passed by the Board of Conservators on the 4th February
1888, and duly confirmed by the Board of Trade, it was enacted that Oast Nets
be allowed up to TWELVE yards in circumference from 11th October till
the 1st April in each year.

376 APPENDIX

Taking Eels — All Other Waters.

15. In all other waters within the limits of the above Act, Lines
with one hook only, whether fixed or not, and fixed Nets, but no
others, may be used at any time for taking Eels only.

16. No person shall use, or attempt to use, in any water within
the limits of the above Act, a Dag or Spear, for the purpose of
taking Fish other than Eels.

All Waters.

17. Any person, within the limits of the above Act, taking any
Fish except Smelts, Eels, or Bait, in any Net allowed by these Bye-
laws to be used for taking Smelts, Eels, or Bait respectively, shall
immediately return such first-mentioned Fish to the water without
avoidable injury.

18. The foregoing Bye-laws shall not apply to any other than
fresh-water fish, or to the water known as Breydon Water, except
as to Smelts, as hereinbefore provided.

By Section 13 of the Norfolk and Suffolk Fisheries Act, it is
enacted that any person acting or attempting to act in contravention
of any Bye-laws made in pursuance of that Act shall for each such
offence incur a penalty of not exceeding ,£10, in addition to the for-
feiture of the Nets or Instruments used in contravention of such
Bye-law.

And by Section 14, any Officer of the Conservators, or any
Police-constable or other Police Officer is authorised within the
limits of the Act, to stop and search any wherry or boat in which
he shall have reasonable ground for believing there are any Fish
taken, or any Nets, Engines, Trimmers, Diggers, or other instru-
ments used or intended to be used for the taking of Fish within
such limits, in contravention of any Bye-law, and to seize and de-
tain such Nets or other things, and to proceed in the matter in the
mode prescribed by the said Act. And any person refusing to allow
such wherry or boat to be so stopped and searched, or resisting or
obstructing such search, will for every such offence be liable to a
penalty of not exceeding £5.

SALMON AND FRESH- WATER FISHERIES ACTS,
1861 TO 1886.

Norfolk and Suffolk Fishery District.

Notice is Hereby Given, that on the 9th day of August,
1890, a Certificate was granted by the Board of Trade (by virtue of

APPENDIX

377

the power conferred upon them by the Provisions of the Salmon
and Fresh-water Fisheries Acts, 1861 to 1886), confirming the
following Bye-law made by the Conservators of the Norfolk and
Suffolk Fisheries : —

Within the Counties of Norfolk and Suffolk no person shall use
any snare, snatch wire, ligger, gun, spear (except an eel spear), or
any net (except a fixed net for taking eels, or a landing net used
as auxiliary to angling with rod and line), for the purpose of taking
fresh-water fish in any dyke communicating with any navigable
river within the Counties of Norfolk and Suffolk, within a distance
of a quarter of a mile from such river, or in that portion of the
River Waveney which lies below Bungay Bridge.

Penalty Clause. — Any person offending against these Bye-
laws shall be liable to a penalty not exceeding five pounds
for each such offence, and all nets, instruments, and devices
used in contravention thereof, all fish found in the possession
of a person contravening the same, and all fish caught by
any such means, or in any such manner as is contrary
thereto, shall be seized and may be forfeited on the summary
conviction of the offender.

Geoffrey Fowell Buxton,

Honorary Secretary.

TABLES OF DISTANCES.

COPY OF GOVERNMENT SURVEY.
The Yare — From Carrow Bridge.

To Trowse Eye .
,, Thorpe Second Bridge
,, Whitlingham Ferry
,, Corby's Dyke .
,, Postwick Grove
„ Postwick Hall
„ Wood's End .
„ Wilde's Cottage
,, Surlingham Ferry
„ Coldham Hall
„ Walpole's Reed Bush
,, Buckenham Ferry
,, Hasingham Dyke
„ Langley Dyke
„ Cantley Red House

MLS.

FUR.

YDS.

0

4

80

1

4

180

2

0

110

2

2

0

3

1

40

3

6

0

4

1

40

4

4

0

5

6

0

7

5

44

9

0

0

10

1

0

10

6

0

11

7

0

12

6

0

378

APPENDIX

MLS.

FUR. YDS.

To Devil's House

2 0

„ Hardley Mill
„ Hardley Dyke
,, Hardley Cross
,, Norton's Staithe

14
14
15
15

0 0
2 0

2 0

3 0

,, Reedham Ferry

„ Reedham End of New Cut

15
17

5 0
0 0

,, Upper Seven Mile House

18

4 0

,, Berney Arms

„ Burgh Flats .

„ Yarmouth Drawbridge

20
21
25

6 0
0 0
3 0

,, Gorleston Pierhead .

27

2 0

The Waveney — From Reedham Bridge.

MLS.

FUR. YDS.

To Herringfleet Bridge . . 3

0 0

„ Somerleyton Bridge .
„ Oulton Dyke .
,, Oulton Broad

4

7
8

5 0
3 110

7 0

„ Mutford Lock

9

6 0

,, Lowestoft Bridge

11

4 0

„ Lowestoft Pierhead .

11

6 0

TABLE OF TIDES.

High Water Lowestoft * 0 h. 43 m. later than Yarmouth Bar.

, Reedham 2 h. 30 m. ,, ,,

, Harwich 2 h. 50 m. ,, ,,

, Cantley 3 h. ,, .,
, Ipswich 3 h. 15 m. ,, ,,
Acle Bridge 3 h. 30 m.

, Buckenham 3 h. 30 m. ,, ,,

, Coldham Hall 4 h. ,, „

, Oulton Broad 4 h. ,, ,,

, Horning 4 h.

The tide flows and ebbs in the Bure one hour later than at

Yarmouth Bridge.

Springs
The rise at Oulton is 2 feet

Neaps
U feet

Cantley %\ „
„ Yarmouth 6 „

if „

4 „

,, Lowestoft 6
„ Harwich 11

l

X n

i

2 >J

n „

* The tide continues to run in the offing one hour later than in shore.

APPENDIX 379

EXTRACT FROM THE GREAT YARMOUTH PORT
AND HAVEN ORDER, 1891.

River Tolls on Vessels.

For every Vessel using the Rivers Yare, Bure and Waveney,
or any of them, or any part thereof, for carrying goods, &c., or for
Gift, Pay or Hire :

s. d.
If propelled by Steam or other mechanical power,

per ton . . . . .20

If propelled in any other way, per ton . .10

For every Vessel, except Rowing Boats, used for pleasure only
and not for Pay or Hire :

s. d.
Under 5 tons, per annum . . .50

Of 5 and under 10 tons, per annum . 10 0

Of 10 tons and upwards, per annum . . 15 0

The above Rates are payable for every year commencing on the
25th day of March, and are due on the day in each year on which
the Vessel shall first float or be navigated.

The following is an extract from the Great Yarmouth Port and
Haven Order, 1891 :—

Sec. 5. The Owner or Master of every vessel upon which any
Rate or Toll is leviable under the second Schedule to this Order
shall forthwith, upon this Order coming into operation, and there-
after once in every year, namely, on the 25th day of March, or on
the day in every year commencing on the 25th day of March, on
which every such vessel shall for the first time be used or navigated
on any part of the rivers, cause every such vessel to be registered
with the Commissioners, and for that purpose shall at the same
time fill up and furnish to the Commissioners, or to the Collector
of Rates, particulars for the registration of every such vessel in the
form contained in the third Schedule to this Order, or in such other
form as the Commissioners may from time to time require, and if
any Owner or Master fail to supply the Commissioners with such
particulars or give any false particular, he shall for every such
offence forfeit not exceeding Ten Pounds.

Sec. 6. The tonnage or measurement of every vessel to be
registered under the last preceding section shall, if so required by
the Commissioners, be ascertained previously to such vessel being
registered, and the mode of ascertaining the same shall be according
to the following rule (that is to say) —

380 APPENDIX

The length shall be taken in a straight line from the fore end to
the after end of the loadwater line, and the breadth shall be taken
from the outside of the outside plank in the broadest part of the
vessel whether that shall be above or below the main wales in-
clusive of all manner of doubling planks (except the usual mould-
ings), then adding such breadth to the length and multiplying the
sum thus obtained by itself and the product by the breadth and
dividing the final product by 1730 the quotient shall be deemed
to be the tonnage. Provided always that fractions of a ton shall
be reckoned as one ton.

THE GREAT YARMOUTH PORT AND HAVEN ACTS,

1866 & 1900.

Bye-laws for the Registration, Numbering, Regulation, and Con-
trol of Pleasure Vessels used on the River Yare and for
other purposes thereunder.*

By virtue and in exercise of the Great Yarmouth Port and Haven
Acts, 1866 and 1900, and the Acts incorporated therewith,

We, the Great Yarmouth Port and Haven Commissioners, do
make the following Bye-laws for the Registration, Numbering, Regu-
lation and Control of Pleasure Vessels used on the Rivers Yare, Bure
and Waveney, and for other purposes, that is to say —

1. These Bye-laws may be cited as "The Yare," "The Bure,"
and "The Waveney" Bye-laws, 1901, and shall come into operation
immediately on the same being confirmed by the Board of Trade.

2. In these Bye-laws the words and expressions hereinafter
mentioned shall have the meanings hereby assigned to them
respectively unless there be something in the subject or context
repugnant thereto, viz. : —

The expression " The Commissioners " shall mean the Norwich
Commissioners.

The expression " The Yare " or " river " shall mean and include
all such parts of the Rivers Yare and Wensum or Wenson,
otherwise Yare, and the navigable branches thereof, and of
the Shores and Banks of the same rivers and branches as
are within the Port and are not within the Haven.

The expression "The Bure "or "river" shall mean and include
all such parts of the River Bure and the navigable
branches thereof, and of the Shores and Banks of the same

* These Bye-laws were framed and came into force some years after the body
of this book was written. This note more particularly refers to Bye-law No. 12,
sub-section 4. — The Author,

APPENDIX 381

river and branches as are within the Port and are not
within the Haven, as defined by the Haven Act, 1866.

The expression " The Waveney " or " river " shall mean and
include all such parts of the River Waveney and branches
thereof, and of the Breydon and Burgh Flats and of the
Shores and Banks of the same river, branches and flats as
are within the Port and are not within the Haven, as
defined by the Haven Act, 1866, but shall not mean or
include Oulton Dyke or Oulton Broad, or any of the
shores or banks of Oulton Dyke or Oulton Broad.

The word " Master " when used in relation to any vessel shall
be understood to mean the person having the command
or charge of the vessel for the time being.

The expression "pleasure boat" includes any boat, pleasure
wherry, house boat, skiff, dinghy, punt, canoe or yacht,
and craft of every kind, whether propelled by sails, steam,
electricity, or any other motive power, and not being used
exclusively for rowing, or solely as a tug, or for the cartage

of goods.

Registration.

3. These Bye-laws shall not apply to any pleasure boat visiting
the said rivers from another river, not being the Yare, Bure or
Waveney, and used upon the said rivers for not more than 14 days
in any year, or excused from Registration by the Commissioners by
a resolution in writing.

4. Every pleasure boat except as aforesaid used or intended to
be used upon the said rivers, shall be registered and marked as
in these Bye-laws provided.

5. No person shall use or assist or be concerned in using or
cause or suffer to be used upon any part of the said rivers any
pleasure boat, unless such boat shall be registered and marked as in
these Bye-laws provided.

6. No person shall hire or let for hire, or hold out or offer for
hire, or suffer or permit to be let for hire, any pleasure boat to be
used upon the said rivers, or to ply for hire with any pleasure boat
upon the said rivers unless the same shall be registered and marked
as in these Bye-laws provided.

7. Every person applying to the Commissioners for registration
of a pleasure boat shall furnish to the Commissioners in writing
upon a form to be obtained at the Tonnage Office of the Com-
missioners at Carrow Bridge, Norwich, or at the office for the time
being of the Commissioners, or from such of the officers or servants
of the Commissioners as may be from time to time supplied with
such form correct information as to the particulars following, that
is to say : —

382 APPENDIX

(a) The true name and usual residence of the owner

thereof.

(b) The number of such pleasure boats belonging to such

owner.

(c) The class to which each of such pleasure boats belongs,

as for example, skiff, wherry, yacht, dinghy, punt or
otherwise, as the case may be.

(1) At the time of making such application for registration,

the applicant shall pay to the Commissioners the sum of
two shillings and sixpence for every boat to be registered.

(2) The Commissioners may, if they shall think fit, before

complying with any application for registration of a
pleasure boat, require such pleasure boat to be measured
by such person in the employment of the Commissioners
as they shall think fit, such measurement to be ascertained
in accordance with the provisions of Section 30 of the
Haven Act, 1900.

(3) Upon registration, there shall be appropriated by the

Commissioners to the owner of every such pleasure boat
a number to be called the "boat's number," and such
number shall be entered in the register together with the
full name and address of the owner and the date of registra-
tion, and shall be appropriated to such person in respect of
such boat.

(4) Upon registration of every such boat there shall be

furnished to the person registering the same, a certificate
containing the name in full and residence of the registered
owner and the boat's number and the date of such registra-
tion, and such other particulars as the Commissioners shall
think fit.

(5) Every such boat shall have fixed in a conspicuous position

on such boat the boat's number, which number shall be
plainly legible black figures on a white ground, on a plate
of an oval shape, and not less than four inches by three
inches. The plate shall be provided by the Commissioners
at the time of registration, and shall be placed by the
owner on the tabernacle, or not more than three feet above
the deck line, or in the case of an open boat shall be
placed on the mast thwart. The boat shall not be used
after such registration until the plate has been so fixed,
nor except whilst such plate is plainly visible thereon. If
the boat be not navigated on the river in any year com-
mencing on 25th March, the plate shall be returned to
the Commissioners by the owner of the pleasure boat
immediately after the following 25th March, and the
registration shall be cancelled.
8. Every person applying to the Commissioners for renewal of

APPENDIX 383

the registration of or certificate or plate for a pleasure boat, shall
furnish the same information and make the same payment as is
hereinbefore prescribed with reference to the first registration or
certificate, and every such renewed registration and certificate shall
have effect from the date thereof.

9. Upon every transfer of the ownership of a pleasure boat
registered under these Bye-laws, the transferor shall, and the
transferee may forthwith give to the Commissioners notice in
writing of such transfer, and the Commissioners shall in either case
upon payment of the prescribed fee, cause the transferee's name and
address to be inserted in the register in the place of the name of the
transferor, and until such notice shall have been given the transferor
shall for all the purposes of the Great Yarmouth Port and Haven
Acts, 1866 and 1900, and of these Bye-laws and of all other Bye-laws,
rules, orders and regulations of the Commissioners for the time being
in force, be deemed to be the owner of such pleasure boat.

(1) Upon every such transfer of ownership, the person previously

registered as the owner of such pleasure boat, shall return
to the Commissioners at the Office of the Commissioners,
the certificate for the time being in force in respect of such
boat.

(2) Immediately upon the granting of a fresh certificate, the

certificate previously in force in respect of the same boat
shall become void.

10. Notwithstanding anything contained in the preceding Bye-
laws relating to registration, the Commissioners may, if in the case
of any particular pleasure boat they shall think fit by writing under
the hand of their Clerk or other officer, duly appointed for that
purpose by the Commissioners, require or sanction the marking of
any such boat in some manner different from that required under
the foregoing Bye-laws, and in such case such boat shall be marked
according to such writing.

1 1 . Any name, number or other distinctive mark or thing by
these Bye-laws required to be placed or kept, in, upon or about any
pleasure boat, shall be placed in a conspicuous position, and if
outside the boat above the water-line, and shall be kept and
maintained by the owner of every such boat in a cleanly and plainly
distinguishable condition, and to the satisfaction of the Com-
missioners.

(1) No person shall knowingly conceal or cause or suffer to be

concealed, any name, number, or other distinctive mark or
thing by these Bye-laws required to be kept, in, upon or
about any pleasure boat.

(2) Every certificate of registration when issued, shall be subject

to the condition that the owner or other person in charge
of the vessel to which the same relates, shall, on demand,
either produce the certificate, or show the

384 APPENDIX

plate or boat's number, to any officer of the Commissioners,
and to any officer or constable of the Norwich City Police
force, and to any Police officer or constable acting for any
of the Counties of Norfolk and Suffolk, or any borough
the police jurisdiction of which extends to any place upon
the river.

12. No person shall, while using, or while in, upon or about the
River Yare, Bure or Waveney or the banks or shore thereof, or any
land of the Commissioners, do or cause, or incite any other person
to do any of the acts specified in the following sub-sections of this
Bye-law.

(1) Commit any offence against decency or be otherwise dis-

orderly, or bathe without proper bathing dress or drawers.

(2) Use obscene, scandalous, abusive, indecent or improper

language to the annoyance of any person who shall law-
fully be using, or who shall lawfully be in or about the
River Yare or the banks or shores thereof.

(3) Do any act which may cause damage to any person or

property, or occasion a nuisance, obstruction or annoyance
to the public or to any person.

(4) Use any fire-arm or air-gun. Provided always that this

sub-section shall not affect the rights of the riparian
owners of land on either side of the river.

(5) Do any act injuriously affecting the safety or amenity of the

river.

13. Any person acting in contravention of any of these Bye-laws,
shall for every such breach be liable to a penalty not exceeding £5,
which said penalty shall be recoverable, enforced and applied ac-
cording to the provisions of the Great Yarmouth Port and Haven
Acts, 1866 and 1900, and the Harbours, Docks and Piers Clauses
Act, 1847.

Given under the Common Seal of the Great Yarmouth Port and
Haven Commissioners, this seventeenth day of January, 1901.

Harry Bullard, Chairman.
J. Tolver Waters, Clerk.

The Board of Trade hereby confirm the foregoing Bye-laws.

T. H. W. Peliiam,

Assistant Secretary.

Board of Trade, 7th June, 1901.

INDEX

Accidents when shooting from boats,

177.
Acle, 144. .
Acle River, 141-145.
Anecdotes —

A Broadland Poor's Marsh, 213-218.

A Broadland Trilby, 181-187.

A Curious Shot at Plover, 221.

A Non-musical Dog, 58.

A Shooter's Confession, or The Gun

with the Bent Stock, 161-167.
Duck Decoying extraordinary in

Spain, 52.
Jack Sparrow's Last Voyage, 7-14.
Ratting at a Water Kennel, or A
Night with a Drunkard, 193-197.
The Duck which Sank, 89-90.
Toper's Trial, 233-237.
Angling between Great Yarmouth and

Acle, 143.
Area of the Broads, 141.
Aylsham, 180.

Barnby Broad, 209.

Beccles, 210.

Beeston Old Hall, 173.

Berney Arms — a marsh tavern, 72.

Bittern, 144.

Black-tailed godwit, 144.

Bobbing for eels, 26-32.

Bobbing poles, 27.

Bobs for eels, and how to make them,

26-27.
Bramerton, 229.
Breydon, Shooting on, 73-76.

Water, 72-76.

Broadland, A church service in, 31 1-312.

A romance of, 180-187.

A Sunday school in, 310.

As a holiday resort, 1-2.

Extent of, 141-238.

Broadland, How to reach. 2.

The Gipsy life of, 65.

Clergymen, 208.

Village typical, 173.

Broads Protection Societv of London,

190.
Buckenham Broad, 226.
Bungay, 212.
Burgh Castle, 72.

St Peter's, 207.

Butts, 23.

Butt spearing, 23-25.
Butt spears, 23.
Buxton, 179.

Caister Castle, 141.
Calls, For plover, 60.

Natural imitation, 59-60.

Wildfowl, 59.

Wooden, 59.

Calthorpe Broad, 198.
Cannibalistic gulls, 98.
Cantley, 226.
Chet River, 225.
Church in Broadland, 207.

Coltishall, 179.

Coot shooting, 190.

Costume for wildfowling, 108-112.

Amusing reminiscences when

dressed in, 111-112.

The disguise of, 111-112.

Crown Point, 229.

Cruising Club, The, 232.

Curiosity shop, 210.

Curres, Always sit head to wind, 106.

Avoiding decoy pipes, 104-105.*

Breeding in Broadland, 105.

— — Ducking to the flash of a gun, 106.

Definition, 102-103.

Edible qualities, 105

Flighting disposition, 104.

Generally, 102-107.

Good of, 103-104.

2 B

385

386

INDEX

Curres, Haunts of, 103.

How to punt to, 106.

Method of feeding, 103-104.

Peculiarities of, 103-104, 106.

Relation to canvas-back duck, 105.

Sport shown by, 104-107.

Various methods of capture, 105.

Damage done by thoughtless tourists,
154-155, 176.

Dancing in Broadland, 159.

Decoys, Actions of wildfowl on observ-
ing, 62-64, 168.

And how to use tbem, 41-64.

As lures for geese, 45.

Best breed of dog for, 58.

Collapsible and reversible, 51.

Dodges for making, 47.

Dogs as, and how to train them,

56-59.

For punt shooting, 42-43.

For plover, 56-57.

For punter's berths, 43.

For screen shooting, 45.

For tubbing, 44.

For woodpigeons, 46-47.

How to anchor, 48-50, 53-55.

How to make wooden, 48-50.

How to place, 46-53.

Indiarubber, 50.

In America, 41-51.

In France, 53.

In Holland. 53.

In Spain, 52.

In Wales, 42-43.

On land, 45, 53.

On water, 53.

Living, 51-53.

Mechanical American, 51, 55-56.

Shooting over, 61-64, 168-169.

Stuffed, 46.

Swedish, 47.

Decoy flighting pools, A peculiarity of
the decoy birds used at, 140.

Feeding at, 136.

Generally, 133-140.

How to lay out and plant, 134-135.

How to shoot, 137-140.

Improve property, 133.

Pinioned wild - ducks attract

mallard to, 136.

Sizes and shapes of, 133-135.

Use of decoy birds in, 136.

The erection of screens at, 138.

The lead-in to, 137-138. ■

Decoy flighting pools, The secret of
success of, 137.

The shooting at, 138-140.

Decoy pipes, At Fritton 71.

At Old Ashby, 71.

At Somerton, 71.

"Record takes in, 71 .

Devil's House, 229.
Dickey Works, The, 72
Dinghys —

Bonnie, 285-286.

Castanet, 287-288.

Gipsy, 288,

Jack and Jill, 285.

Mayfly, 285.

Mitzie, 285.

Pick-me-up, 285.

Romp, 285.

Six and Eight, 285.

Topsy, 285.

Waif, 288.

Wave, 288.

White Seal, 288.

Venture, 288. .
Distance over water deceptive. 85.
Doctor fish, 323.
Dogs, A curious character, 58.
Ducks, Canvas-backed, 104.

Golden-eyed. 104.

Long- winged fowl, 102-105.

Pochard, 104-105.

Scaup, 102, 105-106.

Scoters, 106.

Short-winged fowl, 102.

Surface feeders, 104.

Tufted, 104.

Dunborough, 211.

E

Eels, Broad-nosed, 33.

Gigantic, 211.

How they travel, 33.

Migration of, 323.

Obstacles surmounted by, 33.

— Price of, 32-34.

Sharp-nosed, 32.

Eel bob, How to make, 26-27.

Eel bobbing, 26-32.

Eel spears, 33.

Eel spearing, 33-34.

Eel traps, 33.

F

Female gymnast, A, 1 77.
Filby Broad, 142.

INDEX

387

Fish Poaching implements, 320.
Fish Preservation —

Amalgamation of Yare and Bure

Societies, 366.
Bye-laws of Conservators appointed
underN.&S.F.Act, 1877,372-376.
Bye-laws under N. & S. F. Act,

1877, 368-372.
FirstBoard of Conservators, 363-365.
Foreign support to Broadland, 367-

368.
National Fish Acclimatisation

Society, 365-366.
Norfolk and Norwich Anglers'

Society, 361.
Norfolk and Suffolk Fisheries Act,

1877, 362, 368-372.
Norfolk and Suffolk Fisheries Pre-
servation Association, 365.
Norwich and other large Fishery

Exhibitions, 366.
Origin of in Broadland, 361-368.
Origin of local Act, 361-362.
Presidents of the Yare and Bure

Society, 366-367.
Salmon and Fresh Water Fisheries

Act, 1861 and 1886, 376-378.
Yare Preservation Society, 362.
Water-bailiffs for, 365.
Fishing at Acle, 144-145.

Attlebridge, 231.

Brundhall, 227.

Buckenham, 226-227.

Coldham Hall, 227-228.

Hellesdon, 231.

Horning, 176-177.

Hoveton Broad, 177.

Lakenham, 231.

Oulton Broad, 4-5, 20-22

Oulton Broad for perch, 17-20.

Ranworth Broads, 150.

Reedham, 225.

Rockland Broad, 226.

South Walsham Broad, 150.

Surlingham, 228.

The Ringland Hills, 231.

The Waveney Valley, 208.

Thurnemouth and St Bennet's

Abbey, 145.
Fishrow, 69.
Flighting, A morning's, 124-125.

At decoy flighting pools, 123-140.

August, 128-129.

Autumnal, 126.

Clothes for, 128.

Comparison between morning and

evening, 123-124, 126-127.
During frosty weather, 127.

Flighting, during daytime, 131.

Essential requirements of evening,

128.

Evening, 126-128.

Generally, 123-140, 147-150.

Habits of fowl, 124-125, 127, 129-

132.

In Broadland, 147-150.

Inland, 128-131.

Lead-in. 124.

Mallard, 124, 129.

Moonlight, 128.

Morning, 123-126.

Near Horning Ferry, 1 56.

On the river, 155-156.

On tidal or salt waters, 131-133.

Plover, 142-143.

Screens for, how to make and place

them, 124.

Sport and enjoyment of, 126.

Stands, 130.

With decoys, 125.

Flixton Broad, 69.
Forecasting weather, 95.
Fresh water shrimps, 17-18.
Fritton Lake, 70-71.
Fritton Old Hall, 71.

Geldeston Lock, 211.

George Knights of Wymondham, 232.

Godwit. black-tailed, 144.

Great Yarmouth —

Cost of yacht hire, 76.

Fishing at the Knoll Point, 75.

Fishing from the beach, 75.

Fishing from the piers, 75.

Fishing in the roadsteads, 75.

Leaving by river, 141.

Professional gunners, 74.

Punting in the roadsteads, 76.

Rare birds obtainable at, 75-76.

Shooting from shrimpers, 75, 83.

Shooting from tug boats, 76.

Shooting in the roadsteads, 75-76
Gun slings, 376.
Guns, Cleaning, 62.
For decoying, 46, 61.

H

Habits of wildfowl, 79-119.
Haddiscoe Cut, 219.
Hardley Cross, 225.
Harleston', 212.

388

INDEX

Harmer, Esq., Richard Fielding (The
father of scientific puntsmen), 77-78.

Hassingham Broad. 226.

Heigham Sounds, 189, 198-199.

Herringfleet Hills, 219.

Hickling Broad, 189-192.

Ho ! John Barley Corn, 172.

Holland in Broadland, 72.

Homersfield, 212.

Horning Ferry, 156-159.

Horning Village, 172-173.

Horsey Gap, 188.

Horsey Mere, 198, 313-314.

Hoveton Broad, 178.

How to warm the hands in frosty
weather, 111.

Huttier system, 53.

Ice yachting, 191.

Jack Sparrow's Last Voyage, 7-14.
Judging distance over water, 85.
Jumping pole for marsh shooting,
143-146.

Lampreys, 211.

Language of birds, 60, 79.

Lessingham, 198.

Life of Broadland in past years, 17i

Little England, 3.

Lively doings, 158-160.

Local dancing, 159.

Local Parliament, 7.

Loddon, 225.

Long shots deprecated, 61, 133.

M

Marsh dam, A, 204.
Marsh tavern, A, 72.
Marshland shooting, 200-206
Mendham. 212.
Mettingham Castle, 212.
Mittens, 110.
Moss ducks, 132.
Moving bogs, 217.
Muckfleet, 142.
Mutford Bridge, 5.
Mutford Wood, 5.

Netting wildfowl, 105.

New Cut, 70.

Norfolk Broads Protection Society of

London, 175.
Norfolk wherries, 65-68.
North Cove, 210.
Norwich, 230-231.
The Richmond of, 229.

O

Old Thompson, 157.

Oliver's Broad, 173.

Origin of term Hundred Stream.
188.

Ormesby, 142.

Otter Hunting, a comprehensive adver-
tisement, 355.

An extraordinary pack for, 356.

A find, 360.

Generally, 354-360.

Queer sport, 357-358.

The chase, 359.

The death, 360.

Oulton Broad, Accommodation obtain-
able at, 2-7.

At eventide, 14-16.

Craft obtainable at, 3-4.

Perch fishing at, 17-20.

Shooting at, 35-40.

{Situation of, 4.

The village of, 2-6.

The Wherry Inn at, 2.

Working decoys on, 40.

Oulton Dyke, 207.

Ounce of shot to a square foot of soil.

37.
Peat, use of in wildfowling, 44.
Pheasants, Allurements to plant forT
337.

A rustic feeder for, 337-338.

Beats kept quiet, 336.

Best mothers for young, 344.

Best trees to plant for, 337.

■ Catchers for, 338.

Coverts for, 336.

Dummy, 343.

Food for young, 345.

From shell to shot, 335-353.

Hatching and rearing, 343-347.

Mews for, 339.

Poachers and eggers and their

handling, 341-343.

Site of rearing grounds, 345.

Traps for poachers, 336.

INDEX

389

Pheasants. Vermin which molest, 339,

Water supply for young, 346.

Pheasant Shooting, Best shots for,
349-351.

Comparison between a shooter and

a sportsman, 352.

Forcing flight and preventing

running, 349.

Generally, 347-353.

How to manage beaters, 351.

How to manage the birds, 349.

How to place the guns, 348-349.

Sport of, 352-353

Without coverts, 353.

Picture of Broadband life, 202.

Pike, attacking human beings, 333.
- — - " Brushing," 323.

Crotched stick-trimmer, 325-326.

Day's fishing for, 329-334.

Farmers' friends, 224.

Fishing generally, 324-334.

Fishing in Broadland, 326-327.

" Gigantic," 157-189.

Landing, 329.

Netting at Hickling, 190.

— — On the Waveney, 208.

Peculiarities of, 333-334.

Reviving bait for, 329.

Snaring, 326.

Spearing, 326.

Spinning for, 328.

Trimmers or liggers for, 325.

Pleasure Wherries: —
Chloe, 273.
Claudian, 273.
Dorothy, 273.
Empress of India, 273.
Gaviota, 273.
Gladys, 273.
Industry, 273.
Leisure Hour, 272.
Warrior, 65-67, 273.
Waveney Queen, 219, 273.
Woinora, 273.
Victoria, 273.
Plover, Calling, 223.

Departureof at first frost, 130, 223.

Egging, 222.

Flighting, 142-143.

Golden, 206, 220-221.

Netting, 223.

Peculiarities of, 206, 220-221.

Shooting from horse and cart, 223.

Stilted, 209.

Potter Heigham, 189.
Prettiest village in England, 230.
Prices of fishing-boat hire, 179.
Professional sporting men, 191.

Punt-gunning, amid ice floes, 99.

At daylight, 98.

At early dawn, 92.

At evening, 98-99.

Dangers of, 99-100.

During a fog, 100.

During frosty weather, 100.

Forbearance in, 100-101.

Generally, 91-101.

- Heavy shots, 98.

In deprecation of, 91.

In practice, 96-97.

Nursing the ground, 100-101.

On many grounds, 100.

Preserving ground, 80, 83, 90.

Under the moon. 99-100.

— - Under the stars. 98-99.

What constitutes good, 92-95.

Puzzle stone, 212.

R

Rands, 44.

Redshank, Curious habits of, 39.

Driving, 38.

Edible qualities of, 39.

Nesting, 39.

— Shooting, 38-39.

Reed fauvette (Calamophilus biarmicus),

215.
Reedham Ferry, 225.
Reedham Village, 224.
River traffic regulations, under Bye-laws

of the Great Yarmouth Port and Haven

Commissioners, 380-384.
River tolls and how levied, 379-380.
Rockland Broad, 226.
Roman bridges, 144.
Royal Canoe Club Camp, 178.
Ruffs and reeves, 144.

Sailing on skates, 191.
Salhouse Broads, 178.
Salmon trout, 208.
Screens, how made, 45.

Shooting from, 45.

Sea Palling, 198.
Shooting at Acle, 144.

At Lake Lothian, 37.

At Oulton Broad in the past, 35.

At Oulton Broad in the present, 36.

At Whitecastle, 37.

At White House Reach on the Yare,

69.

39°

INDEX

Shooting in a graveyard, 200.

In the Fleggs, 198-206.

With stalking horses, 113.

Near St Bennet's Abbey, 145-146.

On Ranworth Great Broad, 162-171.

On Ranworth swamps, 152-153.

On the Acle River, 142-144.

On the river, 174.

On sandhills, 314-316.

Shore shooting —

Annoyance to puntsmen, 115.

Appliance worth having, 121.

By tubbing, 117.

Dangers of, 119.

Extraordinary bags, 121.

From screens, 119.

Generally, 116-122.

Proper, 120.

The followers of, 116.

Variety of bags, 121.

Various methods of, 117-122.

With decoys, 121,

With disguised gun carriage, 120.

With the assistance of a boat, 121-

122.

Deprecation of, 122.

Shore snobber, 116.

Skating, 191-228.

Smee, 98.

Smelting on Breydon, 72.

Snipe, A peculiarity of, 130.

A wisp of a thousand, 37.

Marshes extraordinary, 37.

South Walsham Broad, 147.
Spinning for perch and jack, 177.
St Bennet's Abbey, 145.
St Olave's Abbey, 70.
Stales, 47.
Stalking-horses, 112-115.

Artificial, 113.

Birds easily deceived by, 1 12.

For geese, 112.

How to make, 113-115.

In the flesh, 112-113.

Occasional drawbacks to use of, 115.

The use of, 114.

Stokesby Ferry, 142.
Stilted plover, 209.
Swallow-tailed butterfly, 217.
Switzerland of Norfolk,
Switzerland of Suffolk, 71.

Table of Distances, 377-378.

Table of Tides, 378.

Tench tickling, 317-323.

Tench, and how to cook them, 323.

Tese or Tas River, 231.
Thorpe Village, 230.
Thurne River, 188.
Trespassing overlooked, 143.
Trout, 211.
Trowse Eye, 232.
Tubbing, Dangers of, 118

On land, 45.

Preparations necessarv. 45, 1 16.

What is, 44.

With decovs, 44.

U

Under the lee of the Norfolk sandhills,

307-316.
Upton Dyke and Broad, 144.

W

Water crow, A, 174-175.
Wakes, Decoying in, 42-43.

How to make, 42-43.

What are, 42.

Water-bailiff, 69.
Waveney Valley, 207-213.
Weather signs, 94.
Wherries, 65-68.

Cost of hiring, 67.

Fitted for pleasure cruising, 65-68.

For pleasure (see Pleasure Wher-
ries), 273.
Whissonsett, 231.
Whitlingham, 229-230.
Wild celery, 105.
Wildfowl (see DucksJ at sea, 86.

• Battue, 87.

Habits of, 79-81.

Driving, 88-90.

Language of, 79.

Long-winged, 79, 101-104.

Netting, 105.

On a tidal estuary, 79-81.

Short-winged, 81.

Widgeon. 79.

Wildfowling afloat, 80-90.

From screens, 119.

shrimpers, 75, 83, 87-90.

small boats, 87-90.

steam launches, 81-83.

tubs, 117.

vachts, 84-87.

Womack Broad, 188.
Worm catching, 27-28.
Worlingham, 201.
Wroxham Broad, 178.
Village, 179.

INDEX

39 *

Yachts —

Ada, 301, 281, 283.

Amateur, 252-254, 257, 259

Alabama, 257.

Alarm, 254-255, 258, 268, 270.

Alcla (steam launch), 298.

Argonaut, 247, 252, 254, 257, 259.

Ariel, 259, 264, 266.

Arrow, 255, 270.

Atalanta, 243, 252-254, 257.

Augusta, 242-243, 259.

Barbara, 301.

Bella Donna, 255.

Belvidere I. , 244, 247, 252-253, 255,

259.
Belvidere II. 268.
Bermuda, 246.
Bittern, 259, 268.
Bodagh, 285, 295, 301.
Brenda, 259.
Britannia, 285.
Bubble, 283.
Bugler, 293.

Castanet, 255, 281-282, 301.
Challenge, 282-283, 293.
Checkmate, 278, 284-285, 289, 292,

295.
Clara, 252-253, 259.
Constance, 274.
Coriander, 243.
Corona, 276, 281.
Curlew, 255, 268.
Cynthia, 347.
Daphne. 244, 259, 278.
Dolly, 274.
Doreen, 301.
Dream, 285, 292.
Elaine, 258.
Elf, 270.

Elizabeth, 246-247.
Emerald, 257.

Empress of India (wherry), 270, 273.
Enchantress, 242, 246-247, 252, 259.
Eva Mary, 257.
Experiment, 246.
Fairy, 259.
Falcon, 293, 280.
Firebrand, 275.
Firefly, 254-255, 258, 268.
Foam, 259.
Foe, 256.
Flash, 281.
Fleur de Lys, 257.
Flirt, 259.

Florence, 255, 268, 278.
Frederica, 256.

Yachts {continued) —

Frolic (steam launch). 298.

Galatea, 265.

Gem, 258.

Gitana, 270.

Glance, 255, 257.

Gossip, 281-282.

Greyhound, 280, 283.

Gypsy, 280, 283.

Helen, 272.

Heron, 272.

Hornet, 240, 243.

Hilda, 254.

Ianthe, 270, 272.

Ida, 252-253.

Imp, 281.

Ino, 283, 302.

Io, 301,

Isabel, 280.

Isabella, 259.

Iverna, 303.

Kiama, 255-256, 268, 269, 272.

Keenaghmore, 255, 272.

Kestrel, 243-244, 247, 252-253, 259.

Kingfisher, 275, 280.

Kitten, 257.

Ladye, 293, 301.

Lady of the Bure, 278.

Lake Lily, 254.

Leander, 243.

Lethe, 254-255, 258, 268.

Leviathan, 240.

Little John, 252.

Little Yankee, 257.

Lolypop, 270, 278, 280.

Long Looked ForCome at Last, 244.

Lotus, 272.

Louisa, 240.

Magpie, 301.

Marguerite, 257, 259, 268.

Maria, 239-243.

Mars, 262, 264, 270.

Maud, 252-254, 258.

Maude, 259.

Medora, 259.

Memsahib, 292, 295.

Meneen, 255.

Merlin, 259.

Meteor, 243.

Midge, 255, 268.

Miranda, 246.

Mocking Bird, 274.

Mosquito, 281.

Mystery, 280.

Myth, 254, 257-258.

Naverino, 243.

Novelty, 243, 246.

Oberou, 244, 252-253, 259.

392

INDEX

Yachts (continued) —
Octoroon, 258.
Odd Trick, 281, 283.
Osprey, 252-253.
Para, 270.
Pearl, 241, 243,
Phantom, 255, 258, 301.
Phoenix, 243, 255, 259.
Playmate, 292.
Prairie Flower, 281.
Queen, 259.
Queen Mab, 243.
Rambler, 271-272.
Red Lancer, 243.

Red Rover, 241, 256-259, 264, 266.
Retort, 275.
Ripple, 259.
Rob Roy, 243.
Rover, 257, 259
Sayonara, 277, 278, 293, 301.
Scud, 254-255, 268.
Silver Star, 281, 283-285, 287.
Spindrift, 302.

Sphinx, 244, 252, 254, 257, 259.
Spider, 272.
Spray, 255, 268.
Sticklebat, 283, 293.
Swallow, 255, 268.
Swan, 270.
Sylph, 242-243, 259.
Talisman I., 283-284.
Talisman II., 283-284.
Tara, 265.
Tantivy, 252-253.
Terrier, 281.
Thelma, 293, 302.
Thyrza, 272.
Trixie, 270, 274, 280.
Tugela, 255.
Union, 252-253, 259.
Unit, 290.

Vampire, 247, 257, 259.
Venus, 244.
Vindex, 244, 255, 268.
Vixen (nine-tonner), 257.
Vixen (rater). 285, 287, 295.
Wallace, 243, 259.
Wanderer I., 255, 257. 259, 268.
Wanderer II., 255, 275-276, 279,

280-281.
Wasp, 267-268.
Water Lily, 257, 264, 266.
Water Witch, 243.
Waveney, 272.
Waveney Queen, 255, 257. 263-264,

266.
White Wings. 278, 293, 300-301.
Widgeon, 242-243.

Yachts (continued) —
Wild Duck, 270.
Witch, 258.
Windflower, 300.
Zephyr, 255, 257. 268.
Zoe, 255, 258, 268, 278.
Zingara, 284, 293.
Yachting —

A marvellous boat (Maria), 241-242.
A mishap to the band, 262-263.
A one design class, 302.
Barge yachts, 272.
Broadland dinghys, 285-288.
Burgh Water Frolic, 260-263.
City Fathers on the razzle-dazzle,

261.
Classes of the R.N. and the S Y.C.,

291.
Classes of Great Yarmouth Sailing

Club, 294.
Classes of Waveney Sailing Club,

294-296.
Classes of Y.S.C., 291-294.
Cranks and experiments, 246-247.
Cruisers and the cruising class,

301.
Curious coincidence, 263.
During the sixties, 259.
During the seventies, 268.
Fight for the cup, 240-241.
East Anglian Coast, On the, 266-267.
Entering Great Yarmouth Harbour,

268.
First ocean race of the R.N. &

S.Y.C., 264-266.
Ideal model of a racing yacht from

1840-1860, 244.
In the nineties, 279.
Introduction of racing machines,

281,
Introduction of centre boards,

257.
Largest sailing club in the world,

269.
Lateener rig, 238-248.
Launch of the first pleasure boat,

239.
Local regatta fixtures, 299-300.
Marine regattas, 300.
Measurement fees of the N. & S. Y.C.

Association, 296.
Old boats of prominence, 239-247.
One hundred years ago, 239.
Origin of letting industry, 272.
Origin of pleasure wherries, 271-272.
Origin of regattas, 260.
Pleasure launches and motors,

298.

INDEX

393

Yachting {continued) —

Pleasure wherries, 273.
Prominent cruisers, 301-302.
Rig in the forties, 244.
Rottenness of coloured sails, 247.
Size of lateener foreyards, 246.
The Wroxham week, 297.
Theories of sailing over rather than

through the water, 282.
Thorpe Gardens Water Frolic,

232-244.
Water frolic, 260.

Wroxham Regatta Committee, 297.
Yacht 130 years old (Augusta),
242.
Yacht Clubs-
Broads Dinghy Club, origin of,

288.
Great Yarmouth Yacht Club —
First regatta of, 276-277.
List of Commodores of, 278.
Origin of, 276.

The Jubilee Gold Cup of, 277-
278.
The Amateur Yacht Club, 248.
The Royal Norfolk and Suffolk
Yacht Club-
Agitation for Admiralty

Warrant, 302.
Copy of Admiralty Warrant 304.
Early flag troubles, 251.
First club-house, 276.

Yacht Clubs (continued) —

The Royal Norfolk and Suffolk
Yacht Club (continued) —
First committee of, 249.
First regatta, 252-253.
Full list of commodores,

254-255.
Its earliest regulations, 251.
Inauguration as a royal club,

305-306.
New club premises for, 306.
Origin of, 248-249.
The Yare Sailing Club-
Burgee of, 270.
Houseboat of, 270-271.
Largest sailing club in the

world, 269.
List of commodores of, 270.
Origin of, 269.
Waveney Sailing Club —

A watermen's club, 289.
Origin of, 288-290.
Yacht Racing —

Amateur Helmsman, 279-280.

An entire racer turned out by an

amateur, 290.
A queer experience, 191.
Local boats at Nice, 283.
Local entry for Wedding Cup of

H.R.H. Prince of Wales, 258.
Yare Valley, 219-231.

EDINBURGH

COLSTON AND COY. LIMITED

PRINTERS

An Illustrated Catalogue of

Books, chiefly on Sport, published
by Messrs R. A. EVERETT
& COMPANY, 42 Essex Street,
Strand, London, W. C. 1902

Telegrams: "ACCOUTRED, LONDON.

"A Book for every Sportsman to buy and read," vide Press.

See also pp. 3, 4 and 5.

A copy of this Book has been graciously accepted by

His Majesty the King.

SPECIAL NOTICE

This Book is now out of print. A New Edition is in pre-
paration, thoroughly revised to date, with Table of Statutes and
Table of Cases and Index.

SHOTS FROM A LAWYER'S GUN

BY

NICHOLAS EVERITT

AUTHOR OF " FERRETS : THEIR MANAGEMENT IN HEALTH AND DISEASE."
JOINT-AUTHOR OF "PRACTICAL NOTES ON GRASSES AND GRASS GROWING," ETC.

A SIGHTING SHOT

This is a book which should be purchased by every Country Landed Proprietor,
Gamekeeper, and other persons interested in the protection and rearing of Game.

It is not a dry treatise of the Law, bristling with technicalities and terms that
cannot be understood, but it is an elucidation of troublesome legal points con-
cerning sport which every day arise and are discussed at the Hall and in the
Keeper's Cottage. These knotty problems are illustrated, explained, and made
into interesting reading by cases drawn from actual experience.

The professional secrets of a certain wily old sporting solicitor, who in days
gone by was known as "The Poachers' Lawyer" (and who figures under the
sobriquet of Mr Six-and- Eight), are laid bare, and many an amusing incident
has been culled from the storehouse of his inexhaustible memory, in the
recounting of which the Author has preserved the original humour, not forgetting
to point the (legal) moral of the tale.

How to circumvent the law with impunity, and how the law-breaker is
circumvented, are alike dealt with ; in short, the book will be found to be brimful
of interesting and most valuable information and laughable anecdote.

Examples of tf|e absurdities of the Law wtycfj are
exposed \t\ this book.

It is law — although unreasonable — that if a rabbit or a land -rail is shot under
certain circumstances (see page 81), without the shooter having first taken out
a game licence to kill game, he can be convicted of such an omission, and fined
£20 and costs.

It is law — although ridiculous — that a man with his dog may be fined £2 and
costs for trespass in pursuit of a rabbit in the daytime, and yet may be permitted
to commit the same offence with impunity at night (see pages 153-154).

It is law — though absurd — that, in spite of the " Wild Birds' Protection
Acts," naturalistic law-breakers can, and openly do, break the law, defy the
authorities of justice, and make a very handsome profit by so doing out of their
lawlessness (see pages 261-263).

It is law — although startling — that the owners of game farms throughout
the United Kingdom who are licensed dealers in game (which they practically
must be to carry on their business successfully), are liable to prosecution and
conviction for being unlawfully in the possession of game birds during the close
time (see page 273) ; penalty £1 per head for every pheasant and partridge in
their mews.

It is law — although it was never intended so to be — that at shooting parties,
which daily take place throughout the shooting season, the beaters, keepers,
loaders, and persons innocently assisting are more often than not liable to be
prosecuted by the Inland Revenue authorities and heavily fined (£20 and costs)-
for killing game without a licence (see page 240).

CHARACTERS INTRODUCED

Barristers

Mr Six-and-Eight

Mr Legalling

Mr Spouter -\

Mr Bustler

Mr Newcald J

Mr Softsap J

Mr Gimblet

Mr Erudite

P. C. Irongrip

Squire Broadacres, J. P.

Mr Sharpsight

Peter Hawk ^

William Falcon f

A sporting lawyer

Articled clerk to Mr Six-and-Eight

r A leading junior

A rising junior

A young junior

^ A very young junior

A solicitor {ex-lawyer s cleric)

The solicitor to whom Mr Six-and-Eight was articled

. Of Deepdalc Village

. Of Decpdale Manor

Head keeper to Squire Broadacres

Game watchers under Mr Sharpsight

Jack Funnybone . Nephew to Squire Broadacres, a medical student of Barts
Sir John Rocketter, Bart., J. P. . * -Of Sedgemere Ball

Patrick O'Leary . . . Sir John Rocketter s Irish gamekeeper

Lord Sea view . . . . Lord of the Manor of Saltivold

Mr Spider ...... Lord Seaview's watcher

Mr Upperton, J.P. . An egotistical "knoio-all"

Mr Carrots . . . A retired greengrocer and landowner

Mr Stingiman .... Tenant farmer under Mr Carrots

Mr Skinflint . Of the Priory ; proprietor of the home and church farms

Mr Cunningman . Lessee of Mr Skinflint's farms and a believer in " Every

[man his own lawyer"
A tenant farmer
Eldest son of Mr Stubbles
. Youngest son of Mr Stubbles
. An unfortunate agriculturist
. A cantankerous agriculturist
An experimental agriculturist
A poaching farmer
An economical farmer
. A town sportsman and a pot-hunter
Of Firthorpe, a pheasant farm proprietor
An Inland Revenue officer
A poacher of Deadem Green

Mr Stubbles
Tom Stubbles
Charlie Stubbles
Mr Strawless
Mr Cross .

Mr FlELDMAN

Mr Steelum

Mr Closephist

Mr Prowler

Joseph Cockley

Samuel Spottem

Bob Pickemup

Mrs Pickemup

Mrs Sarah Ann Mullings

Mike Kelly

Wandering Will ^

James Green J

Mr Hardup

Joe Swishem

Timothy Tattler

"Shooting Joe"

Wife of Robert Pickemup

Mr Pickemup's mother-in-law

An Irish loafer of Deepdale

Poachers and ne'er-do-weels

. A sporting publican
Ostler of the "Dog and Gun"
Ratcatcher and poacher
. An owner of lurchers

A FEW PRESS OPINIONS

. . . ON . . .

SHOTS FROM A LAWYERS GUM

" We have read this book from end to end with great pleasure. Mr Everitt's
style is well calculated to lure any sportsman into reading his lectures to the
end. Even the professional poacher may be grateful to the writer. The pages
are full of chatty and amusing anecdotes. We may disinterestedly commend
Mr Everitt's book, from which readers will obtain both sound instruction and
more amusement than they would find in the average sensation novel." — The
Field.

" We can congratulate Mr Everitt on this interesting: work. We may say
that Mr Everitt's law is thoroughly sound." — Land and Water.

" A comprehensive survey of all matters likely to interest sportsmen. It is
interesting and amusing to note the number of popular fallacies which Mr
Everitt explodes. Here hunting men will find that fox-hunting is a trespass in
spite of a contrary popular belief ; landowners will discern that the popular
four-feet rule in connection with ditches is fallacious ; shooting lawyers will find
how easily they may be 'cornered' by difficult questions of game ownership.
The author's easy, familiar, and yet instructive style will be recognised. The
book is really an amusing dissertation in the form of articles and interviews on
a. subject of interest to all who live in the country. We can promise all buyers
their full money's worth in both instruction and amusement. " — Law Notes.

" Mr Everitt has made many a good shot in his book, which mixes the useful
with the agreeable. Mr Everitt is a safe guide. He knows his subject un-
commonly well." — The Atheweum.

" This book is a veritable triumph. Every point of law in connection with
game preservation is most ably dealt with, and the interest never flags throughout.
This work on the Game Laws is peculiarly one for gamekeepers, and, indeed,
we feel convinced that the author had their requirements in view when penning
it. With the aid of a collection of characters, more or less fictitious, but
wonderfully human, every contingency likely to occur as regards poaching is
reviewed as if on the stage, and the whole thing is enlivened by the most
amusing and original anecdotes. We strongly advise our readers to get this
book . ' ' — The Gamekeeper.

"An instructive and, at the same time, an amusing little manual on this
interesting subject, a good deal of it being given dramatically in the form of
dialogue between solicitor and client." — The Standard.

" ' Shots from a Lawyer's Gun ' is one of those books which no country house
should be without. It is a useful book, as well as an amusing one, and I cannot
say greater things in its favour than that Mr Everitt knows his subject thoroughly,
and writes about it in an entertaining manner." — The Sporting Times or " Pink
*un."

1 ' We commend the book to all sportsmen and farmers, and do so because it
is packed with information, and at the same time as readable as any novel." —
The Leeds Mercury.

" In reading this volume you can gain knowledge and have a jolly good laugh
at the same time. There is not a dry sentence in the entire book. Sportsmen
should read it, gamekeepers should read it, and so should tenant farmers and
even poachers. 4s. 6d. is cheap enough for so laborious an enterprise, and the
wonder to us is that it is not retailed at ' six-and-eight.' " — The Shooting Times.

"A book that should be in the hands of every sportsman and country
gentlem an . ' ' — To-day.

THE STABLE KEY

. . . OR . . .

Stud and Stable Studies

By W. A. KERR, V.C.

(Formerly Second in Command Southern Mahratta Horse)

AUTHOR OF "RIDING," "RIDING FOR LADIES," ETC.

Two volumes, Royal 8vo, handsomely bound in strong Buckram,
price £3, 3s, nett

*X%vl^

Illustrated with a splendid series of reproductions from English, American

and Continental Photographs and Original Drawings by Adrian Jones

E. Douglas, Gambier Bolton, and Harington Bird, and printed

on paper specially manufactured for the book.

Illustrated 4 pp. Prospectus post free on application

London: R. A. EVERETT & CO., 42 Essex St., Strand, W.C.

The most recent and up-to-date work on Veterinary Science

The Veterinary Manual
for Horse Owners

By FRANK T. BARTON, M.R.C.V.S.

With about Sixty Illustrations from Original Drawings, Crown 8vo, well
printed and strongly bound, 10s. 6d. nett. (2nd Edition, revised.)

The object of this "Veterinary Manual" aims at supplying the intelli-
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management of the horse in health, and its treatment when suffering from
accident or labouring under disease.

Every care possible has been taken to make the work "practical " in its
teaching with an avoidance of technical terms, without sacrificing facts
of importance.

Glasgow Herald. — " The teaching of this book is up-to-date in its character, and
it will certainly prove a boon to the farmer or owner when he happens to reside
far from veterinary advice, and may require to act in an emergency."

Veterinarian. — "After careful perusal we consider the book sound in its essential
facts and certainly much preferable to the older manuals."

Field. — "There is no doubt that the horse owner will find the manual very
useful."

London : R. A. EVERETT & CO., 42 Essex St., Strand, W.C.

7

HOW TO CHOOSE A HORSE

OR, SELECTION BEFORE PURCHASE
By FRANK T. BARTON, M.RC.V.S.

Crown 8vo, Cloth, 2s. nett

. . CONTENTS . .

Special Parts and their Relationship to Unsoundness — Buying — The Age of
the Horse — Horse Societies — Points of Typical Breeds and How to Choose —
Objectional Habits, etc.

"This book has been written as a guide for those who are compelled to purchase
a horse in the absence of skilled assistance. The author, Frank T. Barton, being
a veterinary surgeon, is well qualified to advise on what is one of the most difficult
subjects in the world. Horse-buying is always more or less of a speculative
business. However good a knowledge of horses one may possess, one's judg-
ment is still apt sometimes to go astray, and as it is impossible to know too
much about the subject, this little book, elementary though it may be, will
repay perusal." — Agricultural World.

London : R. A. EVERETT & CO., 42 Essex St., Strand, W.C.

THE GROOM'S GUIDE

His Duties and How to Perform Them
By FRANK T. BARTON, M.R.C.V.S.

Crown 8vo, Cloth, 2s. nett.

CONTENTS — Foods and Feeding — Watering — Air — Ventilation — Cleaning
Stables — Temperature of Stable — Bedding — Disinfectants.

Cleaning Harness Mountings, Stirrups, Bits, etc. — Cleaning Rusty Bits — Cleaning
Saddles — Cleaning Harness and Preservation of same — List of Stable
Requisites — Lamps and Candles — Measuring for Harness — Washing and
Preservation of Carriages — Treatment of Horses on Board Ship, etc.

" The information contained in the book could not well be over-rated, and the
publication should be in the hands not only of grooms, but all gentlemen who have
grooms in their employ." — County Gentleman.

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9

A CENTURY OF
ENGLISH FOX=HUNTING

. . BY . .

GEORGE F. UNDERHILL

AUTHOR OF " HINTS TO HUNTING MEN," ETC.

Demy 8vo, cloth, gilt top, with coloured frontispiece by
John Leech, 9s. nett.

. . PRESS OPINIONS . .

"Fox-hunting is a tolerably well-worn theme; of books on the
subject there is an abundance, both ancient and modern; so the
author deserves credit for a fair measure of originality and pre-
senting old friends in new dresses. 'A Century of English Fox-
Hunting ' will prove a valuable addition to the libraries of all
sportsmen." — Westminster Gazette.

" The contents of the volume before us are remarkably cleverly
compiled, for although many of the facts recorded within the
cover will be familiar to the student of fox-hunting lore, yet even
the most learned, we believe, will find some little anecdote of
field craft that will be new to him. Taking the volume as a
whole, we consider it extremely well mapped out, and that it
will have a large circulation is not only our desire, but our
opinion as a sporting writer." — The Shooting Times and British
Sportsman.

" Mr George F. Underhill has written a very entertaining book
in his 'Century of English Fox-Hunting. ' He has succeeded in
all his purposes, and has produced an admirable volume, not-
withstanding the fact that, as soon as he commenced his work,
the war denuded the hunting field of many of the keenest fox-
hunters. In short, the book is an apologia for, and the exposi-
tion of, sport, and will be welcomed in the libraries." — Army
and Navy Gazette.

London : R. A. EVERETT & CO., 42 Essex St., Strand, W.C.

10

SPORTING SKETCHES By nat qould

Recollections and Reflections on a variety Larf e Cr- 8v°< handsomely

r «• . i . ,< o a u bound, cloth gilt, and

of subjects connected with Sport, Horses, illustrated by Hakng-

and Horsemen never before published , ton Bird, 6s.

BLOGGS AND HIS MOTOR CAR

•* We are inclined to regard this volume as the best work he, Mr Gould, has yet
done." — T/ie Field.

"These vivid, varied, and altogether delightful sketches." — Daily Chronicle.

London: R. A. EVERETT & CO., 42 Essex St., Strand, W.C.

SHARPSHOOTING

For SPORT
and WAR

By W. W. GREENER

AUTHOR OF "THE GUN AND ITS DEVELOPMENT."

Second Edition. Completing 20th thousand.
Crown 8vo, 200 pp., 90 Illustrations, Price 1s. In Cloth, Is. 6d. nett

The Field.—"1 In so far as the art of shooting with the rifle can be taught by
words, Mr Greener has essayed to make all who read his treatise proficient sharp-
shooters, and his remarks, both on sporting and military weapons, are eminently
practical. "

London: R. A. EVERETT & CO., 42 Essex St., Strand, W.C.

12

BOXERS and their BATTLES

Anecdotal Sketches and Personal Recollections of
Famous Pugilists

By "THORMANBY"

Author of " Kings of the Hunting Field," " Kings of the Turf," etc., etc.
Illustrated from scarce portraits. Crown 8vo, Cloth extra, 6s.

TOM CRIBB

" Lovers of ' the noble art ' will derive considerable pleasure from a perusal of
this work. It deals with many of the famous prize-fighters of by-gone days, and
describes some of the greatest prize-fights in which they were engaged. The
descriptions are freshly written, and one gleans from them the qualities which
make these men conspicuous amongst their contemporaries." — Daily Telegraph.

London: R. A. EVERETT & CO., 42 Essex St., Strand, W.C.

13

AN IMPORTANT NEW WORK

WAR HORSES

PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE

OR

LIFE AMONGST THE REMOUNTS IN SOOTH AFRICA

BY

SYDNEY GTKkVTSYNE

Vlon. Lieutenant Remount Corps

For two and a half years with the Remounts in South Africa

Crown 8vo, cloth, 3s. 6d.

CONTENTS

Remounts for South Africa — Hints for Improvement in the
Management and Comfort of Horses at Sea — Various Methods of
buying Remounts — The Treatment of Captured and Derelict
Horse-Stock — Remount Farms and Depots — Horses from Foreign
Countries Imported into South Africa — The System of Commandeer-
ing in South Africa — The Mounted Infantry Pony and Government
Breeding and Training Farms — Horse-Breaking at Stellenbosch,
etc., etc.

London: R. A. EVERETT & CO., 42 Essex St., Strand, W.C.

Author of
The Horse," "Horse Dentition," ''Points of the Horse," etc.

THE VIKING STRAIN Vfflffi

(Love, Sport and War under the English and Australian Flags)

By A. Q. HALES

Special War Correspondent

Crown 8vo, 352 pp., with Illustrations by Stanley L. Wood
Cloth, extra, 6s.

(Also COLONIAL EDITIONS in Paper and Cloth)

HE PUT ALL THE POWER OF HLS BODY INTO HIS RIGHT ARM.

London : R. A. EVERETT & CO., 42 Essex St., Strand, W.C.

*5

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By the most POPULAR AUTHORS

IN ILLUSTRATED BOARDS

By JOHN STURGESS, CECIL ALDEN, STANLEY L. WOOD, HARINGTON BIRD,
FINCH MASON, etc.

2s.; also in Cloth, 2s. 6d.

A Racecourse Tragedy . By

Warned Off

Sporting Sketches

Settling Day

Life's Web

King of the Ranges

In Royal Colors

(Special Coronation Volume)

The Silken Rein
A Racing Sinner
Outridden (3rd Edition) .
A Judas of To-Day .
Tricked ....

(A Sporting and Military Novel)

The Liar ....
Snooker's Racing Adventures
On the Grass

(A Sporting Comedy)

Romances of the Road

(Stories of the Days of the Old Stage Coach)

Nat Gould
Nat Gould
Nat Gould
Nat Gould
Nat Gould
Nat Gould
Nat Gould

Nat Gould
Nat Gould
Fox Russell
Fox Russell
Fox Russell

Fox Russell

G.G.

G.G.

"Thormanby"

London: R. A. EVERETT & CO., 42 Essex St., Strand, W.C.

16

3 Sportswoman's
Love Letters . . .

#

Third Edition

BY

FOX RUSSELL

Author of
Outridden," "Col. Botcherby, M.F.H.,"
"The Haughtyshire Hunt," &c.

J9*

Beautifully printed on antique
paper specially made for
the book, and handsomely
bound in cloth • • * '

Price 3s. 6d. nett

. . PRESS OPINIONS , ,

"I soon took an interest in Lady Kate and her letters to her
utterly impossible lover. She is healthy minded and speaks home
truths. I can recommend any of my friends who have an hour to
spare to read "A Sportswoman's Love Letters," the hour will not be
a dull one." — W. S. Dixon in The Sporting Times,

Daily Telegraph. — "Highly palatable to many tastes."

Newcastle Daily Journal. — "The letters are full of a sprightly
humour, and will be read again and again with pleasure."

Court Journal. — " Will amuse a vast number of people."

Outlook. — " Our sportswoman writes a bright letter."

London : R. A. EVERETT & CO., 42 Essex Street, Strand, W.C.

17

EVERETT'S SIXPENNY LIBRARY

Well Printed in Demy 8vo. Illustrated Wrapper. Price 6d. each.

No. 1.

A Stable Mystery

A New and Original Novel
By NAT GOULD.

No. 2.

Outridden

A Sporting Novel
By FOX RUSSELL.

No. 3.

His Last Chance

(And Other Stories)

A New and Original Novel

By NAT GOULD.

No. 4.

Snooker's Racing
Adventures

By G. G.

No. 5.

Boxers and their Battles

By "THORMANBY."
No. 6.

The Adventures of

Captain Mounsell

By W. WILLMOTT DIXON.

(" Thormanby ").

No. 7.

The Fate of

Captain Petton

A New and Original Novel
By Weatherby Chesney.

No. 8.

"For Life"

A New and Original Novel
By Major Arthur Griffiths.

OTHERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED LATER

London : R. A. EVERETT & CO., 42 Essex Street, Strand, W.C.

18

are racehorses doped?

mo IRacing /l&an sboulfc be witbout a Cops
of " Dopes "

Is. Nett. Cloth, Is. 6d.

NATHANIEL GUBBINS' "POPULAR BOOK

ON THE

LAST STATE OF THE TURF!

DOPES:

A Criticism of American
Arts and English Efforts

BY NATHANIEL GUBBINS

(Capt. E. Spencer)
Author of " Cakes and Ale," " The Great Game," etc.

Glasgow Herald. — " Remarkably lively reading."

St James' Gazette.- — " Distinguished for the brightness and style
made familiar by the author."

Sportsman. — " The volume may be regarded as a text-book, and
so far the best on the market."

County Gentleifian. — "A very readable book, ably discussed from
an English and American point of view."

Westminster Gazette. — " It deals in a thoughtful and fairly
exhaustive manner with the present state of the English Turf
generally, and with the 'American Invasion.'"

Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News. — "No one is more at
home than Gubbins in the world of horses. This book will be
read with amusement and instruction. Such a one will lay down
the book with a sigh of satisfaction, whisper to himself ' Good old
pink 'un ! ' and before the waiter leaves the room call for what he
may desire."

London : R. A. EVERETT & CO., 42 Essex St., Strand, W.C.

19

H Bee anions

ZEbe

Bankers

HOW

. . OR .

.

€3*

TO INCREASE

YOUR

DEPOSIT

RATE

AND

REDUCE

YOUR

BANKER'S CHARGES .

BY HENRY WARREN

Crown 8vo, Cloth, 3s. 6d. nett.

. ♦ press ©pinions . ♦

Aberdeen Free Press. — "The book contains much judicious
observation that is worth the attention of the Scottish reader, widely
as the Scottish banking practice differs from the English in some
important respects."

Scotsman. — "Should prove profitable reading to persons who
have money to invest."

Lloyds. — " The book is written in a bright and breezy style, which
makes it eminently readable."

Bristol Mercury. — " Mr Warren has some very pointed things to
say about bankers in general, and does not hesitate to criticise very
severely some of their methods."

Reynolds. — " The volume is full of practical information by one
who knows what he is writing about."

London: R. A. EVERETT & CO., 42 Essex St., Strand, W.C.

20

Miscellaneous Publications
RECONCILED

A ROMANCE OF KASHMIR ,
By ALAN MACDONALD

Crown 8vo, sewed, Is.

ANDROMEDA; A Lyrical Drama

AND OTHER POEMS

By WILLIAM ROBERTON

Crown 8vo, cloth, 3s. 6d.

SOME RHYMING WARE

By WALTER MONRO

Crown 8vo, cloth, 2s. 6d.

IN THE LAND OF THE BOERS

By WILLIAM OSBORNE

Illustrated. Crown 8vo, cloth, 2s.

AGE AND OLD AGE

A HANDBOOK ON HEALTH AND DISEASE
By DAVID WALSH, M.D.

Author of " The Rontgen Rays in Medical Work,"
"Diseases of the Hair," Etc.

Crown 8vo, 2s. 6d.

The 20th Century Cookery Book

1000 PRACTICAL RECIPES FOR EVERYDAY USE
By Mrs HANNAH MACLURCAN

Crown 8vo, cloth extra, 3s. 6d.

London: R. A. EVERETT & CO., 42 Essex Street, Strand, W.C.

Telegrams: "ERNEST COLLINS, WROXHAM.

Ernest Collins

(Late R. COLLINS & SON)

IPacbt anb Boat Designer anb Builber

lj)acbt ©wner anb Hgent

WROXHAM, NORFOLK.

Awarded TWO FIRST PRIZES for Ten-Ton Cruiser and Sailing Dinghy Best Suited

for the Broads, Yachting and Fisheries Exhibition, Norwich, 1894

(Open Competition)

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THH IVERNA

SPFCIALITY WHERRIES, BARGES, STEAM LAUNCHES and
YACHTS ON HIRE, Built Specially for the BROADS

WRITE FOR YACHT PRICE LIS!

Yachts and Boats Built, Repaired and Warehoused

On the Most Reasonable Terms

Comfortable Apartments on Reasonable Terms

Note Address-WROXHAA, NORFOLK

14 DAY USE

RETURN TO DESK FROM WHICH BORROWED

LOAN DEPT.

This book is due on the last date stamped below, or

on the date to which renewed.

Renewed books are subject to immediate recall.

2lMa/5CCG

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JUN 9 I95S

LD 21A-50m-9,'58
(6889sl0)476B

General Library

University of California

Berkeley

K 2750"

M312366