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happy hunting-grounds, where deer, buffaloes, and all kinds of game abounded. They did not worship idols, like the Mexicans. They believed in a Great Spirit, and prayed to Him for every thing they wanted.

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1. Though different parts of the country were explored, as we have seen, yet seventy years after the discovery of Columbus there was no settlement of white men within what is now the United States. The Spanish were the first to plant a permanent colony. In 1565, they founded St. Augustine [aw'-gus-teen], in Florida. This place, still known by the same name, is the oldest settlement in the United States.

2. Forty years later, a French colony settled in Nova Scotia. Soon afterwards, a Frenchman named Champlain planted a colony of his countrymen in Canada, on the spot where Quebec now stands. You remember there is a beautiful lake in the State of New York, called Champlain. It received its name from this Frenchman, who discovered it while on an expedition against the Indians. The French at this time held the northern part of the continent, as the Spaniards did the southern.

3. Between the possessions of the French and the Spanish was a large tract claimed by England. Sir Walter Raleigh, a favorite of Queen Elizabeth, undertook to colonize it. * He sent out a party in two ships, which reached the coast of North Carolina. They found a rich and pleasant land, occupied by a friendly tribe. An Indian Queen entertained them on Ro-a-noke'

1. For how many years was no permanent settlement made in what is now the United States? Who planted the first permanent colony? When and where?-2. What settlement was made forty years afterwards? Where was a colony planted by Champlain? What received its name from Champlain ? What part of the continent did the French hold? The Spanish?-3. Who claimed the tract between the French and the Spanish possessions? Who undertook to colonize it? Give an account of the first expedition sent out by

SIR WALTER RALEIGH'S COLONIES.

1584] 27 Island. Persuading two natives to accompany them, they returned to England, and gave so glowing an account of the country they had visited, that the Virgin Queen, Elizabeth, was delighted, and named it in honor of herself, VIRGINIA.

4. Raleigh, thus encouraged, sent out a number of emigrants. They settled on the pleasant fields of Roanoke Island; but their governors were imprudent. One of them burned an Indian village, because a silver cup was stolen from his men. Another fell on a party of friendly Indians, thinking them to be enemies, and killed several before he found out his mistake. Such acts made the natives angry and revengeful. Some of the settlers became disheartened, and returned to England. The rest were

killed.

5. Still Raleigh was not discouraged. He sent out more settlers to Roanoke, who laid out "the city of Raleigh". Their governor went back to England for supplies, and was absent two years. On his return to the island, there was not a white man to be seen. Whether they had been killed or carried off by the Indians, was never found out.

6. Sir Walter Raleigh's means were now spent, and he had to give up his attempts to colonize Virginia. Though he was afterwards beheaded on a charge of treason, he is regarded as one of the greatest men of his day. The state of North Carolina has called its capital RALEIGH in his honor.

7. Raleigh was the first to introduce potatoes into Europe. He planted some on his Irish estates. Others obtained seed from him, and now potatoes are the chief food of the poor in Ireland. He brought over from America another thing, which the people of Europe could have done without,—and that is tobacco. He learned to smoke it from the Indians. One day his servant, who had never seen tobacco used, entering his mas

Raleigh. What name was given to the region, and why ?-4. Where did the second party sent out by Raleigh settle? What acts of imprudence were committed by their governors? What was the consequence ?—5. What did Raleigh next do? What city was laid out? What became of this colony ?-6. What became of Raleigh? How is he regarded? What city has been named in his honor?-7. What useful article did Raleigh introduce into Europe? What else?

ter's room, found him surrounded with smoke, and thinking he was on fire dashed a mug of ale over him.

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8. The first permanent English settlement was made in

1607, by a party under Captain Newport. They were sent out by a company to whom Virginia had been granted. Carried by a storm past Roanoke Island, where they meant to land, they entered a noble river, which they called after their King, THE JAMES.

Some miles above its

mouth, they chose a favorable spot, and

laid out the city of Jamestown. This region belonged to Powha-tan', a famous Indian chief, the head of thirty tribes. Some of the Indians did not like the white men's settling here. But Powhatan said, "Let them alone. They hurt you not. They only take a little waste land."-Look on the map. How is Jamestown situated? In what direction is it from Roanoke Island?

9. Newport soon returned to England. Hardly was he gone when the settlers were attacked with sickness. At one time only ten were able to stand. In a few weeks but half the party were left alive, and they were seized with despair. They would

What anecdote is related of his servant?-8. When and by whom was the first permanent English settlement made? Where did this party mean to land? Where did they land? What city did they lay out? To whom did this region belong? How did some of the Indians feel towards the English? What did Powhatan say?-9. What happened soon after Newport's return to England?

1807]

CAPTAIN JOHN SMITH.

29

no doubt all have perished, had they not at this crisis placed Captain John Smith at their head.

10. Smith was a brave and wise man. He soon had things in a better state. He made the idle work, and prevented the timid from sailing away, as they had intended to do. He explored the surrounding country, and kept in check the natives, who were becoming suspicious and unfriendly.

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1. Captain Smith's early life was full of adventures. Running away from home in his youth, he helped the Dutch fight for their freedom. But he soon became tired of this, and one dark night he deserted, and made his way to France. Then he went to Egypt. Wherever there was anything wonderful to see, he wandered.

2. On one of his voyages, he acted rudely towards some of his fellow-passengers, and they threw him overboard. He came near drowning; but saved himself by swimming to a rocky island, where he stayed until a passing vessel took him off. Next we find him in Hungary, fighting the Turks hand to hand, like the knights of old. At last, being wounded in a skirmish, he was taken prisoner and sold as a slave.

3. Smith was now carried off hundreds of miles into a dreary country. He was loaded with chains and treated harshly. So he resolved to escape. Seizing his chance, he rose against his oppressor, and, mounting a horse, fled through pathless forests to Russia. Hence, after some further adventures, he made his way back to England, in time to join Newport's party.

4. While out on one of his exploring expeditions in Virginia,

What saved the colony ?-10. What kind of a man was Captain Smith? What measures did he take?

1. Relate some of Captain Smith's early adventures.-2. What took place on one of his voyages? What do we next find him doing?-3. How was Smith treated during his captivity? Give an account of his escape.-4. What befell

Smith was suddenly attacked by Indians. He had ordered his men to stay by the boat while he went out to reconnoitre;

Captain John Smith.

but they wandered

Af

off, and were killed
by the savages.
ter slaying three of
his enemies, Smith,
while trying to es-

cape, sunk in a
swamp and had to
yield. Even then
the Indians were
afraid to touch him
till he had thrown
away his arms. He
would now have
lost his life, if he
had not understood
the character of the
Indians. Taking his

compass out of his

[graphic]

pocket, he showed them how the needle always points north, and told them about the shape of the Earth and the heavenly bodies.

5. To increase the wonder of the savages, Smith told them that the next day they would find some articles that he named, in a certain place in the forest. He then wrote to his countrymen at Jamestown to put the articles there. They did so; and when the Indians, who did not understand his writing, saw every thing turn out as he had said, they began to look on him as more than man. They carried him around to their different villages in triumph, and at last brought him to their chief, Powhatan.

6. Here a solemn council was held, and it was determined

Smith, while out on one of his exploring expeditions? How did he save himself from immediate death?-5. How did Captain Smith increase the wonder of the savages? What did they do with him?-6. What took place when they

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