shift lever not working

[plukkie]

Hi All
i have an evinrude 99 model E10BACTR outboard motor on an 18ft fishing boat which ive bought cheap and is my first boat, so please excuse my very basic knowledge on boats. The lever
closest to the steering wheel which i think is the shift is stuck forward. When i pull it back i can see the cable moving very slightly but the lever is stuck solid. The other taller lever which im guessing is forward and reverse works fine and the engine turns over but the compression is quite hard. Thanks for ne reply

[boats.net]

Turn the prop as you are shifting in and out of gear to align dogs on gears inside gearcase, otherwise the shifter will bind.