Some tried to row, but were impeded by their comrades.
"Steady, men, steady!" James shouted, at the top of his voice.

"Get the boats' heads round, and keep together.

We can beat off these canoes, easy enough, if you do but keep your heads." His orders were obeyed promptly and coolly by the men of his company.
The boats were turned with their heads to the lake, as the canoes came dashing up, and the men who were not employed in rowing fired so steadily and truly that the redskins in several of the leading canoes fell, upsetting their boats.
"Don't hurry," James shouted.

"There is no occasion for haste.

They can go faster than we can.