civilization. Strongly attached to their savage mode of life, they will not give it up until obliged to do so. To the restraints of education they are equally opposed. They readily understand simple truths, but their minds seem incapable of any long continued effort. shown? What other prominent trait did the Red Men possess? How did they bear trial and suffering? What is said of their patriotism? In later times, what have the Indians shown? Of what do their minds seem incapable? PART II. COLONIAL PERIOD, EXTENDING FROM THE DISCOVERY OF AMERICA BY CO- CHAPTER I. VOYAGES AND DISCOVERIES OF COLUMBUS. 60. THE discovery of America, the most important event of modern times, next demands our attention. On this subject we have conflicting and uncertain accounts. According to Welsh historians, the Atlantic was first crossed in 1170, A. D., by Ma'-doc, a prince and hero of Wales; but the Norwegians, on stronger evidence, claim this honor for one of their adventurous sea-kings. In the ninth century, both Iceland and Greenland were discovered and colonized by Scandinavian navigators; and about the year 1000 A. D., if we may believe Ice-land'-ic manuscripts, a vessel driven by storms southwest of Greenland arrived at the continent of America. If this be true, it was no doubt the barren shore of Labrador that was reached; and so unimportant was the discovery considered that it was soon forgotten. 61. In the fifteenth century, nothing was known in Europe of a continent beyond the ocean. The mariner's compass, invented in 1302, had enabled the sailor to push out more boldly from land; yet even the Por'-tu-guese, then the most 60. For whom do the Welsh claim the honor of first crossing the Atlantic? What people claim it on better grounds? What discoveries did the Norwegians make in the ninth century? What do the Icelandic manuscripts say? If this be true, what part of the coast was probably reached? 61. What is said of navigation in the fifteenth century? enterprising navigators in the world, had gone no further than the A-zores' on the west, and the equator on the south, It was reserved for the great genius of Christopher Columbus, amid discouragements of every kind, to add a new continent to the civilized world. 62. Columbus was born at Genoa [jen'-o-a] about 1435. His father was a wool-comber, but gave his son advantages of education, particularly in geography, mathematics, and astronomy, for which he early displayed a decided taste. At fourteen, he went to sea. A few years later, in the service of a kinsman who commanded a small Genoese squadron, he took part in an engagement with some Venetian [ve-ne'-shan] vessels off the coast of Portugal. His ship caught fire, and Columbus, leaping into the waves, barely saved his life by swimming ashore. The fame that Portugal had won by her maritime enterprise attracted him to Lisbon [liz'-bon]; and there he married the daughter of an eminent navigator, whose charts and journals awakened within him an ardent thirst for discovery. From this time to 1477, we find him engaged in various voyages to Madeira [ma-dā'-ra], the Cana'-ries, the Azores, the coast of Guinea and Iceland. 63. The geographical researches of Columbus had convinced him that the earth was round, and that land would be found in the west to counterbalance the eastern continent. The maps of the day gave little information respecting the extent of Asia; and Columbus imagined that it stretched much further east than it really did, or that large islands lined its coast, but a few hundred leagues west of Europe. Many circumstances confirmed him in this belief. Pieces of wood strangely carved had been picked up by those who had ventured into the unknown ocean. Trees torn up by the roots were often driven by west winds on the Azores; and upon one island of this group had been How far had the Portuguese gone? For whom was the discovery of America reserved? 62. Where and when was Columbus born? For what sciences did he early display a taste? At fourteen, what did he do? Some years later, what befell him? Where did he then go? Whom did he marry? From this time to 1477, in what was he engaged? 63. Of what was Columbus convinced by his researches? What is said of the maps of that day? What did Columbus imagine respecting Asia? What confirmed him in 1484] HIS APPLICATIONS FOR AID. 45 washed the bodies of two men, totally different in appearance from the natives of Europe and Africa. 64. Firm in his opinion, Columbus next sought the means of testing its truth. He must have men and ships. His first proposals, made to the senate of his native city, were rejected. His next application was to John II., of Portugal; who, after drawing out his plans, treacherously sent a vessel on the proposed course under another commander, but happily gained nothing by his baseness. Disgusted with this treatment, Columbus sent his brother Bartholomew to Henry VII., of England. Bartholomew was captured by pirates, and it was years before he reached London. The English monarch listened to him with favor, and would probably have become the patron of Columbus had he not previously found one in another quarter. 65. After his disappointment in Portugal, 1484, Columbus went to Spain. Destitute and friendless, he obtained an humble living for himself and his son Diego [de-a'-go] by making charts and maps. At last he succeeded in procuring an interview with Ferdinand, king of Ar'-ra-gon. This cautious monarch, after listening to his projects, submitted them to the learned men of the University of Sal-a-man'-ca, by whom they were once more condemned. 66. After years of trial, Columbus finally obtained an interview with Isabella, the wife of Ferdinand and queen of Castile [cas-teel'] and Leon [lā'-on]. To enable him to appear at court, she sent him a small sum of money (about $70), with which he procured a mule and suitable clothing. The queen, though moved by his arguments, was dissuaded from furnishing the required aid. More disheartened than ever, Columbus was on the point of abandoning Spain, when this belief? 64. To test this opinion, what did he need? To whom were his first proposals made? With what success? To whom did he next apply? What was the result? To whom did he then send his brother? What happened to Bartholomew ? 65. After his disappointment in Portugal, where did Columbus go? How did he support himself? With whom did he finally obtain an interview? What was the result? 66. After years of trial, who manifested an interest in the plans of Columbus? How was he enabled to appear at court? What was the result of this interview? What prevented Columbus from abandoning Spain? What dignity was conferred on him? at last, by the advice of wiser counsellors, Isabella determined to embark in the enterprise, even if she had to pledge her jewels to raise the necessary funds. Columbus was commissioned as High Admiral and Viceroy of all the countries he might discover, and hastened to Palos [pah'-los] to fit out the expedition. There was great difficulty in finding sailors for such a voyage; but, with the aid of the queen, three vessels and ninety men were obtained. The ships were very small, none of them being over 100 tons burden. The Santa Maria [mare'-a], which bore the flag of Columbus, was the only one that had a deck. Two brothers by the name of Pin'-zon commanded the Pin'-ta and the Nina [ne'-na]. Provisions were laid in for a year. The whole expense of the outfit was only £4,000. 67. The little fleet sailed from Palos, Aug. 3, 1492; and, after stopping at the Canaries to refit and take in fresh water, stood boldly out into the ocean. When the land faded from their sight, a full sense of the dangers they were to en What difficulty was experienced? Name and describe the ships. Who commanded the Pinta and the Nina? What was the expense of the outfit? 67. Whence and when |