A VOYAGE. 47
Differences between a paddle and an oar.

wharf or pier, from which the passengers for this in-
tended voyage could embark. Phonny drew up the boat
alongside of this log, and Malleville and Caroline, walk-
ing out upon it a little way, at length safely stepped on
board.

«“ Now,” said Phonny, “I 7U push off.”

“ Not yet,’ said Caroline. “ Let us see how we had
better sit.”

After some debate, it was concluded that as there were
two oars and a paddle belonging to the boat, it would be
best for Malleville and) Phonny to row, and for Caroline
to paddle and steer. There is a great difference between
a paddle and an oar, both in form and in the manner of
using them. A paddle is short, and the blade is broad,
and it is generally used by a person sitting in the stern
of the boat, and looking the way the boat is gomg. An
oar, on the other hand, is long. It rests, when employed
in rowing, upon the side of the boat, in what is called the
row lock, or between the thole pins, and the person who
rows with it sits with his back to the bow or forward part
of the boat, so that he has to turn partly round and look
over his shoulder when he wishes to see where he is go-
ing. When, however, there is a person to sit in the stern
to steer, it is not necessary for the oarsman to look round
in this manner, for the helmsman at the stern with the
paddle, keeps a good lookout ahead, and steers the boat
where it ought to go.

There is a great difference, too, between oars and pad-
dies in respect to the circumstances in which they can
be most conveniently employed. A boat can be pro-
pelled faster with oars than with paddles, though as the
former extend laterally so far, they require a considerable