We must turn across the river, risk the darts, and try to land on the farther bank.

Take oars!" There was but one remaining paddle.

Drusus seized it and pushed against the water with so much force that the tough wood bent and creaked, but did not snap.

The unwieldy barge sluggishly answered this powerful pressure, and under the stroke of the three oars began to head diagonally across the current and move slowly toward the farther shore.

The soldiers did not at once perceive the intent of this move.
By their actions they showed that they had expected the barge to try to slip through the Pons Sublicius, and so escape down the river.