1492]

THE VOYAGE.

11

3. After stopping at the Canary Islands, to repair one of their vessels, Columbus and his men stood out boldly to the west on the great ocean.

Day after day they kept on their course, with nothing in sight but the sky and the sea. The sailors looked out anxiously for land; but, as none appeared, they became terribly frightened, and wanted to turn back. This Columbus would not do. He set before them the glory they would gain if they succeeded, and the anger of Queen Isabella if they should return contrary to his wishes. But, as time wore on, they became more and more alarmed They feared they would

never find the way home. They even talked

of throwing Columbus overboard, and taking the ship back to Spain themselves.

4. At last Columbus had to promise that if land was not discovered within three days he would return. How anxiously he watched during that time, and how high his heart beat with hope when signs of land actually appeared! The water grew shallower. Flocks of little birds came round the vessels. A

Columbus sail? How old was he?-3. Where did Columbus stop for repairs? When his men had been some days out, how did they begin to feel? What did they even talk of doing?-4. What promise did Columbus have to make? What signs of land soon appeared? When was land discovered? How did

A

branch bearing fresh berries was found floating on the sea. close watch was kept. Two hours after midnight, on the 12th of October, a joyful cry of Land! Land! was heard from one of the vessels. It was echoed on the others. The sailors were now frantic with delight. They were ready to worship Columbus, whom a little while before they had talked of throwing into the sea.

5. When day dawned, the land was plainly seen. A pleasant land it was. There were gay flowers, and tall trees with leaves and fruit such as they had never seen before. On the shore were unclad copper-colored men, gazing in wonder at the Spanish ships. They took the ships for great birds, the white sails for their wings, and the Spaniards for superior beings brought down from Heaven on their backs.

6. Columbus and his men hastened to land. Kneeling, they kissed the earth, and returned thanks for their successful voyage. Then Columbus took possession of the country in the name of the King and Queen of Spain.

7. The land thus discovered was one of the Ba-ha'-ma Islands, in the Atlantic Ocean, between North and South America. He named it San Sal'-va-dor. Thinking that he was now in the East Indies, he called the natives INDIANS. All the islands of this region are still known as the West Indies.

8. Columbus soon left San Salvador, to make further discoveries, in the course of which he touched at Cu'-ba and Haiti [ha'-te]. At the latter island he lost one of his ships, and left some of his men as a colony. After collecting specimens of the productions, and inducing several of the natives to embark with him, he set out to retrace his course to Spain.

9. On the return voyage, a terrific storm arose. Fearing shipwreck, Columbus wrote an account of his discoveries, and

the sailors now feel?-5. Describe the land as it appeared at daylight. What were seen on the shore? What did the natives take the ships to be ?-6. Give an account of the landing of Columbus ?-7. What was the land thus discovered? What name did Columbus give it? What did he call the natives, and why? What are the islands of this region still called ?-8. What islands were next discovered by Columbus? What occurred at Haiti? What did Columbus take with him on his return?-9. What took place on the return voyage?

1493]

LATER VOYAGES OF COLUMBUS.

13

sealed it up in a cask, which he threw into the sea, hoping that if he and his men were lost it would be picked up and made known to the world. But it was not God's will that he should perish thus. His ships, though shattered, brought him safe to port. He landed amid the firing of cannon, and hastened to bear the news of his success to Ferdinand and Isabella. Thousands crowded around him on his journey to court. The streets and windows were lined with people, and the Indians he had brought with him were looked at with as much wonder as if they had come from the moon. With no less wonder did they

gaze at the strange scenes about them.

10. Remember the date of the discovery of America-October 12th, 1492.

LESSON IV..

LATER VOYAGES

OF COLUMBUS.-CABOT.

1. The news of Columbus's discovery threw all Europe into excitement. Wonderful stories were told about the new land in the west. Many believed that gold grew on the trees, and that diamonds were as common there as stones in other countries. Those who had before laughed at Columbus, now thought that their fortunes would be made if they could only get to the land he had discovered. "To the west! To the west!" was the cry of every bold navigator that could fit out a vessel.

2. Columbus himself made three more voyages to the western world. On his third voyage, in 1498, he first reached the mainland, near the mouth of the O-ri-no'-co, in South America.

3. Meanwhile murmurs arose among those he had brought

What precautions did Columbus take? What was the result of the storm? How were Columbus and his companions received?-10. What was the date of the discovery of America?

1. What was the effect of the news of Columbus's discovery ?-2. How many more voyages did Columbus make? In which did he reach the mainland? When? At what point?-3. What difficulties did Columbus now meet with?

out, because they did not find gold so plenty as they had expected. The enemies of Columbus, too, spread false reports about him in Spain. Moved by these stories, and forgetting all he had done, the King and Queen unjustly deprived him of his command; and his successor went so far as to send him back to Spain in chains. This ingratitude cut Columbus to the heart. He carried his chains around with him wherever he went, and ordered that when he died they should be buried with him. Though he proved his innocence, he was never restored to his authority.

4. On his fourth voyage, Columbus, now an old man, was wrecked on the coast of Jamaica. He and his men were thus left at the mercy of the Indians. The Indians had at first been very friendly; but during the absence of Columbus the Spaniards had beaten them, forced them to work, and robbed them of their gold. Such treatment had awakened a thirst for vengeance. When Columbus was wrecked, therefore, they not only left him and his men to starve, but even threatened to attack them. At this crisis, Columbus saved his party by his knowledge of astronomy.

5. He knew that on a certain night an eclipse of the moon would take place. Collecting the natives around him shortly before the time, he told them that the Great Spirit was angry because they would not aid the Spaniards, and that He would cover his face from them that very night. The moon gradually became dark; and the natives, believing that God was thus showing his displeasure, fell on their knees, promised Columbus abundant supplies, and prayed that he would ask the Great Spirit to show His face once more. When the eclipse was over, they kept their word. With their help, Columbus succeeded in getting back to Haiti.

6. On his return to Spain, Columbus found that his friend, Queen Isabella, was dead. There was nobody now to do this

What did the King and Queen of Spain do to him? What effect did their treatment have on him?-4. What happened to Columbus on his fourth voyage? How did the Indians now feel towards the Spaniards? Why was this?-5. How did Columbus save himself and his meu ?-6. What did Columbus find on his

1506]

THE CABOTS.

15

great man honor. He died in 1506, poor and neglected. Even the continent that he discovered was called after another.

7. Among those who visited the new world shortly after its discovery, was an Italian named Amerigo Vespucci [a-mer'-e-go ves-poot'-she]. After his return to Europe, he wrote an account of his voyage, containing a great many interesting but untrue stories. Among other things, he falsely claimed to have reached the mainland before Columbus. His book was read by many, and believed; and the new world, in stead of being named COLUMBIA in honor of its real discoverer, was called after this Italian, AMERICA.

8. The first navigator that reached North America was John Cab'-ot, who was in the service of King Henry VII., of England. In 1497, about a year before Columbus reached the mainland, Cabot explored the coast of Newfoundland. He found a cold and barren shore, very different from the pleasant land that Columbus had described.

9. The first turkeys that were ever seen in Europe were taken over by Cabot on his return. His son Sebastian soon after made several voyages to the new world, and touched at different points of the coast as far south as North Carolina, taking possession of the country in behalf of the King of England.

LESSON V.

BALBOA.-MAGELLAN.-CORTEZ.

1. The Pacific Ocean was discovered in 1513, by Bal-bo'-a, governor of a Spanish settlement on the Isthmus of Darien. Hearing of a vast body of water to the south, he raised about two hundred men, and with native guides set out to reach it. Balboa and his men wore heavy armor, and could hardly make

return to Spain? What became of him?-7. After whom was America so called? How did Amerigo obtain this honor?-8. Who first reached North America? When was this? What part of the coast did John Cabot reach ?9. What birds did he introduce into Europe? Give an account of the voyages of his son Sebastian.

1. By whom was the Pacific Ocean discovered? With how many men did