the paddle is abreast his erect body, he suddenly turns the blade so
as to bring the flat against the body of the canoe. This acts at once
as a lee board and a rudder. With these graceful movements the canoe
is managed from one side, and can be made to go as straight as a
bullet to a bull's-eye. Unlike the dingey or flat bottom boat, the
canoe is easily upset. Therefore the paddler and his passengers, if he
have any, must sit on the bottom. Never rise unless you are alongside
a float or dock. The boy or the man who "rocks the boat for fun" is
either idiotic or insane; in either case he is unfit to care for
precious human lives. Now, the ordinary boat will stand a little of
such fooling, but the canoe refuses to be rocked. At the first insult
of that kind it very properly dumps out its occupants.

THE CANVAS CANOE

The lightness of the birch bark canoe is not the least of its
advantages; but as birch bark is not available in the settled parts of
our country, a substitute was desired, a substitute quite as light and
of a material that would not be seriously injured by dents. This was
found in a canvas cover over a light wicker, collapsible frame.

A frame can be made of bamboo, rattan, willow or light strong pieces
of pliant wood such as spruce or hickory. The pieces can be joined
with screws or wire, never nails. The length as to breadth to insure
safety should be as eight to one, though many canoes are narrower.

With tools and material, both of which are easily obtained, any boy,
with patience and some skill, can construct a frame to his own liking.
The frame must be covered with a light, strong canvas, cut and sewed
to make a good fit.