242 DOTTINGS ON THE ROADSIDE. [Chap. XV.—B. P. 
ought to explain that these canoes are made out of 
single trees, either cedar or mahogany; the former is 
preferred for lightness, the latter for durability. I have 
seen some upwards of fifty feet in length, as straight 
as an arrow, and without a knot in the wood. The 
paddles are made of a light mahogany; they have 
very broad blades, are about four feet long, with a 
cross at the handle. The canoes belonging to the 
creoles are generally fitted with a rudder, but the In¬ 
dians propel and steer solely with the paddle ; they all, 
however, take pride in having very large sails made of 
cotton, enough to capsize a much larger craft, although 
I never heard of such a catastrophe happening to a 
canoe, in spite of the fact that they systematically 
carry sail, without taking even the precaution of keep¬ 
ing the sheet in hand, but, on the contrary, secure 
it beyond any chance of coming adrift. It is quite a 
toss up as to whom the palm of superiority, as canoe- 
men, should be given, whether to the aboriginal na¬ 
tives or the creoles, they are alike excellent. 
Towards the end of November our cruise to the 
northward commenced; and I am bound to say that 
the departure of the 1 Gorgon’ by no means opened the 
way to any enterprising filibusters; because the entry 
to Greytown, the orthodox approach for those gentry, 
was barred by no less than three American men-of- 
war, namely a frigate and two corvettes; the c Sabine,’ 
Captain Adams ; the ‘Jamestown,’ Captain Kennedy; 
and the ‘ San Luis,’ Captain Pooer. These vessels were 
all sailing ships, but it was provoking to reflect that 
although we possessed the advantage of steam power, 
