Heroes of American Discovery ... With ... illustrations

Front matter

§qo^ of gunqiqan §i$tovw% HEROES OF AMERICAN DISCOVERY BV N. D'ANVERS Author of " Heroes op North AfricaiJ Discovery," ' ' Heroes of South African Discovery," "Dobbie a'nd Dobbie's Master," &c. Œ23ith Numerous Illustration? Marcus Ward & Co., limited ORIEL HOUSE, FARRINGDON STREET, LONDON, E.C. AND AT BELFAST AND NEW YORK TO MY DEAR LITTLE FRIEND, ROSIE BUSH, I DEDICATE THIS BOOK, IN MEMORY OP THE MANY HAPPY HOURS SPENT WITH HER. N. to'&nbets. AUTHOR'S NOTE. JHRHE present volume, which is one of the same series A as " Heroes of North African Discovery" and " Heroes of South African Discovery," is intended to give a general idea of the progress of exploration in the districts now forming Cauada and the United States, with the general advance of the white man westwards. The chief authorities consulted in the preparation of the "Heroes of the Exodus to the West" were the reports to their superiors of the early Jesuit missionaries ; George Bancroft's "History of the United States;" Bryant's "Popular History of the United States;" and H. H. Bancroft's " Native Baces of the Pacific."

But reference has also been made to the original works of all the great travellers in the districts under notice; whilst much valuable geographical information has been culled from the Journals of the learned Societies both of England and America, and from B^clus's " Geographie Universelle." N. D'ANVEES. Hampstead, I884. BOOKS CONSULTED IN "HEROES OF AMERICAN DISCOVERY." Bryant's "Popular History ofthe United States." George Bancroft's " History of the United States." Howitt's "History ofthe United States." Palfrey's " History of New England." Bury 's ' ' Exodus of the Western Nations. " Conder's " Modern Traveller." Macmullen's " History of Canada." Herbert Howe Bancroft's "Native Races ofthe Pacific." Washington Irving's "Life of Columbus. " ,, "Astoria." Pinkerton's "Voyages." "Purehas, his Pilgrimage.

" " Voyages of Amerigo Vespucci." La Hontan's "Voyages to North America." Walker's "Account of Late Expedition to Canada." Force's Tracts. Drake's "World Encompassed." Hakluyt's "Memoir of Cabot." ,, "Discovery and Conquest of Terra Florida by Don H. De Soto.' Spark's "American Biography." " Relations des Jesuites." Journals of the Royal Geographical Society. Cronise's "Natural Wealth of California. " A2 Books Consulted. 6 Pike's " Travels in North America." Lewis and Clarke's "Travels to the Sources of the Missouri, &c." Vancouver's "Voyage of Discovery. " Mackenzie's "Voyages from Montreal on the River St. Lawrence. Murray's ' ' North America. " Wilkes's " United States Exploring Expedition." Fremont's "Narrative of Exploring Expedition to the Rocky Mountains, &c." Bayard Taylor's " El Dorado."

Chapter I. Columbus, His Predecessors And His Immediate Successors

PACE America known to the Ancients — The Island of Atlantis — Scandinavian Emigration — Eric the Red and Gunnbiorn — Bjarni Herjulfson and Leif the Lucky — Discovery of Vinland — Thorvald and the Skrællings — A terrible struggle — An Heroic Amazon — Retreat of the Danes — Return of Freydis to Vinland — Massacre of Colonists by her orders — Total Disappearance of Scandinavian Settlement — Madoc of Wales — The Brothers Zeni — Marco Polo — Early Life of Columbus — The Astrolabe applied to Navigation — A Hearing at last — Duplicity of John II. — Columbus in poverty and exile — A generous Prior — Hope and Despair — Isabella is won over — Full powers granted to Columbus — The Start from Saltos — Discontent of Sailors — Variation of Compass — Mutiny — Land Ahead ! — Discovery of the West Indian Islands — Return to Spain — Second and Third Voyages — Death in poverty and disgrace — Amerigo Vespucci — The Cabots — First Landing in North America — The Cortereals — Breton Fishermen, 17

Chapter II. The Discovep

Y OF THE PACIFIC, AND THE EARLY EXPLORA- TION OF FLORIDA. The Spanish in the Gulf of Mexico — Vasco Nunez de Balboa concealed in a cask — His Pardon — Shipwreck and Rescue of Explorers by Balboa — His Discovery of the Pacific — His Murder by Anias — Expedition of Ponce de Leon — The Discovery of Florida and Search for the Fountain of Youth — Leon's Death from poisoned arrows — Discovery of the mouths of the Pacific by Francis Garay — Lucas Vasquez de Ayllon in Florida — His Cruelty to the Natives — Their Retaliation — Verrazano on the Atlantic coast of North America — The Invasion of Florida by Pamphilo de Narvaez — His Disappointment, Betreat, and Death — The Captivity and Escape of four of his followers — The Expedition of Hernando de Soto — Meeting with Juan Ortiz — His romantic story — An Indian burnt alive — A native Princess — At the foot of the Apalaehian Contents. 8 PAOE Mountains— Southwards to Mavilla— Struggle with Indians- Westward Ho ! and Discovery of the Mississippi— De Soto in a new character— His Death and Burial in the Mississippi— Escape of his men under his successor, Luis Moscoso de Alvarado— Murder of Louis Cancello the missionary — Expedition of De Luna, . . 46

Chapter III. Early French Settlers In North America, And Their Struggle With

THE SPANISH IN FLORIDA. Verrazano sent out by Francis I. — Discovery of the Hudson — Jacques Cartier in Canada, and his Discovery of the St. Lawrence— Touching Scene at Hochelaga — Foundation of Fort Charles on the site of Quebec— Kidnapping of Donnacona and other Natives, and return to Europe— Death of Indian Captives, and cold reception at Hochelaga on the return of Cartier without them — Break-up of the Colony and Flight of Cartier — Arrival of Roberval — Sad fate of his people — Kibault and the French Refugees on the River of May — Return home of Ribault — Assassination of Pierria — Escape of Colonists in a crazy pinnace — Their Murder of a Comrade for Food — Their Rescue by an English vessel — Laudonniere's Colony on the May — Mutiny, and troubles with the Indians — Famine, and arrival of Eibault — Disgrace of Laudonniere — Arrival of Menendez — Massacre of French Huguenots by Spaniards — Escape of a little remnant to Anastasia — Second and third Massacres — Gallant bearing of Ribault — Foundation of St. Augustine — Vengeance of De Gourgues on the Spanish — Murder of Missionaries in Florida — St. Augustine burnt by Drake, 70

Chapter IV. First English Settlements In Virginia And Maryland

Sir Humphrey Gilbert's unsuccessful Voyages, and Death by drowning — Sir AValter Kaleigh's Renewal of his Brother's Patent — Grenville and others sent out to Virginia by Raleigh — First Settlement at Roanoake — Its Abandonment by White — Birth of Virginia Dare — Search for the lost Colony — Death of Bartholomew Gilbert — Gosnold's Expedition — Formation of the Southern and Northern Companies — Failure of the latter to gain a footing in Maine — Arrival in Chesapeake Bay of Colonists sent out by the Southern Company — Foundation of Jamestown — Smith's Visit to the Potomac — His Captivity amongst the Indians, and Rescue from Death by Pocahontas — Smith chosen President — The Coronation of Powhatan — A new Charter obtained — Emigrants shipwrecked — Smith wounded, and compelled to leave Virginia — Subsequent troubles — Arrival of Sir Thomas Gates— The Colony reduced to sixty starving men and women — Jamestown Abandoned — Arrival of Lord De la Warre — Return to Jamestown — Marriage and Death of Pocahontas — Gradual growth of Virginia — Terrible Massacre of 1622, and the results of that Massacre — Arrival of Lord Baltimore in Jamestown — First Settlement of Maryland — Father White, Contents. 9 PAGE 112

Chapter V. Early Settlements In New England, New Netherland, And New Sweden

The French in Maine, and their Settlement at Port Royal — Jesuit Missionaries at Grand Manan — Destruction of French Colonies by Argall — John Smith and Thomas Hunt on the coasts of Maine — Vines on the Saco River, and Dermer on Long Island — Early History of the Pilgrim Fathers — Arrival of the Mayflower off Cape Cod — Preliminary Exploration by Miles Standish — Discovery of Plymouth Harbour, and first landing on Plymouth Rock — An Indian Visitor — Arrival of fresh Emigrants— Complications with them and with the Indians — An Indian Chief saved by Englishmen — Indian Plot revealed — Ringleaders slain by Standish — Puritan Refugees at Cape Ann — Standish sent out against them — Peace made by Conant — Conant's Settlement at Salem — The Dorchester Company — Endicott sent out by it to Massachusetts — Ai-rival of Winthrop with 800 Emigrants — Foundation of Boston and other towns — Roger Williams expelled from Salem — His Settlement in Rhode Island, and Foundation of Providence — Visit of Indian Chief from Connecticut to Boston — Emigration to Connecticut — John Winthrop appointed Governor — Tearing down of Dutch Arms, and Foundation of Saybrook Fort — Hooker's Emigration to Connecticut, and Foundation of Bradford — Troubles ahead — Discovery of the Hudson — Fight with Indians — Discovery of Hudson's Bay, and Death of Hudson — Foundation of New Netherland Company — Dutch Explorations in Delaware, &c. — West India Company founded — Settlement of Walloons at Albany — Foundation of New York — The Swedes on the Delaware — Disputes between them and the Dutch, and between the Dutch and the English,

Chapter VI. The Discovery Of The Great Lakes Of Canada And Of

THE HEAD-WATERS OF THE MISSISSIPPI. Champlain in Maine — Foundation of Quebec — Discovery of Lakes Peter and Champlain — Foundation of Montreal — First Navigation of the Ottawa — Discovery of Lakes Huron and Nipissing — An Iroquois Execution — Canada taken by the English, and restored to the French — Death of Champlain — Fathers Brebœuf and Daniel on Lake Huron — Raymbault and Pigart on Lake Nipissing — Jogues amongst the Iroquois — His Murder — Capture, Conversion, and Execution of one of his Murderers — Terrible Iroquois War — Father Dreuillette amongst the Sioux — His Death in the Forest — Allouez on Lake Superior — Rumours of a great River on the West — Marquette discovers the Mississippi — Descent of the River in native Canoes — Arrival in Arkansas — Saved by the Pipe of Peace — Up the Mississippi to the Illinois — Across North-eastern Illinois — Death of Marquette on the shores of Lake Michigan — Expedition of La Salle — Loss of the Griffin — Building of a new Vessel — Contents.

PAGE 149 Discovery of Lake Peoria — Down the Mississippi to the Sea — Second Expedition of La Salle — Fruitless Search for the mouth of the Mississippi — Wanderings in Texas and New Mexico — Despair — Attempt to walk back to Canada— Murder in the Jungle — Murder of the Murderers — The Coureurs de bois in the North- West — Baron La Hontan 's trip down the Mississippi — Rumours of the Sea on the West — Journey of Father Charlevoix,

Chapter VII. Early Explorations In California, New Mexico, And Arizona

Expedition of Diego de Hurtado — Ulloa's trip up the Gulf of California — Da Nizza in Arizona — The Cities of the Plain — Murder of Dorantes and his Companions — Da Nizza visits Cibola in disguise — Expedition of Alarchon and Coronado — Discovery of the mouth of the Colorado — Cibola taken by Coronado — Discovery of the town of Quivira — Discovery of Cape Mendocino by Cabrillo — Viscaino's trip up the North-west Coast — Numerous Deaths from Scurvy — Discovery of the mouth of the Columbia — Death of Viscaino — Expedition of Juan de Fuca — Supposed discovery of Queen Charlotte's Sound — De Fonte and Barnardo in the North-western Archipelago — Father Kino amongst the Picture- Writers and Sun- Worshippers — Discovery of the Mimbres — Establishment of a Mission on the Gila — Descent of the Apaches on the Settlements of the Whites — Expulsion of the Jesuits, and Murder of Natives — Pearl-fishers on the Californian Coast — The Jesuits expelled from Lower California — Exodus of Jesuits from Lower to Northern California — First Colony founded at San Diego — Discovery of the Bay of San Francisco — Decline of the power of the Jesuits, and their gradual withdrawal from California 186

Chapter VIII. The Pequod War, And The First Settlements In Carolina, Georgia

AND PHILADELPHIA. Murder of Captains Stone and Oldham— Massacre on Block Island- Intervention of Roger Williams— The last stand of the Pequods — Emigration of Eaton and Davenport to Connecticut — Foundation of New Haven— First Settlement of Refugees in Carolina— Their Lands given to eight Noblemen— Arrival of Cavaliers and Planters— Misery of the Colonists— Relief at last— Oglethorpe's first Settlement in Georgia— His Meeting with the Indian Chiefs- Pennsylvania granted to Penn— His Reception in Delaware— His Voyage up the River— Treaty with the Indians— Foundation of Philadelphia— Ra"pid growth of Pennsylvania— Foundation of Harrisburg— The French and Indian AVar— Foundation of Pittsburg— The War of Independence— Freedom won for the thirteen original States of the Union— Declaration of Independence on the 4th July, 1776 Contents. 11 PAGE 217

Chapter IX. The Immediate Successors Of La Salle, And Early Colonisa' Tion

BETWEEN THE ALLEGHANIES AND THE MISSISSIPPI. D'lberville's arrival at the mouth of the Mississippi — Foundation of the first French fort on the Bay of Biloxi — English Expedition to the Mississippi — The Mississippi Scheme — Foundation of New Orleans — Bursting of the Bubble — Louisiana ceded to England — Boone's first trip to Kentucky — Taken prisoner by the Indians — Escape — Meeting with his Brother — Murder of Squire Boone's Servant; — A white man's skeleton found in the woods — Hunters on the Ohio and in Tennessee — First Settlers start for Kentucky — An Indian Ambush — Retreat — Boone in despair — Fresh hope — Boone's third trip at the head of a Surveying Party — Purchase of Lands from the Cherokees — Foundation of Boonesborough — Influx of Emigrants across the Alleghanies — First Settlement of Tennessee, Ohio, Illinois, and the south of Michigan — The English supplant the French in Louisiana — Restriction of the name of Louisiana to a small tract — First English Settlements in Mississippi and Alabama — Acquisition of Florida — First Spanish and English Settlements in Texas — Acquisition of California, Arizona, and New Mexico — Gradual Retreat of the Red men before the White Settlers,

Chapter X. Pike's Voyage Up The Mississippi, And Discovery Of The Source

OF THE ARKANSAS ; THE DISCOVERY OF THE SOURCES OF THE MISSOURI BY LEWIS AND CLARKE, AND THEIR VOYAGE DOWN THE COLUMBIA TO THE PACIFIC. The new-born Republic — Pike's Embarkation on the Mississippi at Fort Louis — Sledge journey aiong the banks of the Mississippi — A Chippeway Encampment — A native Pictorial Record — A member of the North-AVest Company — On Snow-shoes to Leech and Red Cedar Lakes — A Council of Chippeway AVarriors — Back to St. Louis — New Expedition organised — The Osage Captives — Along the Arkansas — Arrival at the head-waters of the Mississippi — Search for the Red River of the South — The Rio del Norte mistaken for it — The Explorers taken prisoners by the Spaniards — Journey across Texas to Natchitoches — Lewis and Clarke embark on the Missouri at St. Louis — The mouth of the Platte, or Nebraska — Among the Sioux— Difficulty with Indians at the Great Bend — The mouth of the Yellowstone River — Encounters with AVhite and Brown Bears — The two forks of the Missouri — Long hesitation as to which to follow — Lewis solves the problem by the discovery of the Great Falls — Terrible Storm, and Narrow Escape of Clarke — The Gates of the Rocky Mountains — Across the Mountains, and discovery of the Source of the Missouri — Search for Shoshones — Three Indian Women surprised — In the Shoshone Camp — Vain attempt to reach the Source of the Columbia — On the Summit of the Rocky Mountains Range — Down Contents.

TAGE the Pacific slopes to the lower course of the Columbia — Construc tion of Canoes— Down the Columbia to the Great Falls — Success ful Navigation of them — In the Great Narrows — The Sea at last — AVinter amongst the Flatheads — Home again 233

Chapter XI. Explorations Along The North-west Coast, And The Work Of The

HUDSON'S BAY AND NORTH-WEST COMPANIES. Discovery of Behring Straits — Cook and Meares — Rescue from Starvation — Encounter with Natives — Vancouver on the Western Coast — Gray's supposed discovery of the Columbia — Coxe's survey of Hudson's Bay — James in distress in Hudson's Bay — Foundation of the Hudson's Bay Company — Discovery of Rupert's River — Disputes with the French — Knight's Voyage, and his terrible fate — Discovery of Relics of Knight and his Comrades — Moore and Smith in Hudson's Bay — Cession of Canada to England, and its results— Heroes of the Transition Time — Hearne's discovery of Athabasca Lake and the Coppermine River — Massacre of Esquimaux — Discovery of the Arctic Ocean — Result to Geographical Science of that Discovery — Hearne's return to Hudson's Bay — The Indian Exile wrestled for — Enthusiasm of the Company — The rise of the North-West Company — Mackenzie's journey to the Slave Lake, and discovery of the Slave, Athabasca, or Mackenzie River — His voyage to Great Bear Lake — Return to Fort Chipewyan — Journey across country to the North Pacific— The work of all explorers united by his last trip, .... 264

Chapter XII. Astokia And Its

FOU3MDERS. The Pacific Fur Company — Voyage of the Tonquin — Foundation of Astoria — Massacre on the Tonquin — Terrible revenge — The great Smallpox Chief — Start of the land expedition — An ambush — Unexpected rescue — Treachery of an Interpreter — Among the Crow Indians — The Black Mountains — The invisible Lords of the Mountain — Arrival on the banks of the Mad River — Across country to the Henry River — Construction of Canoes — Embarkation on the Henry — A Canadian drowned — The Lion Caldron — Across country again — Among the Akai-chies — News of the Astorians — Threatened attack of Natives — Arrival on the banks of the Columbia — Along the river to Indian encampment — News of tragedy on the Tonquin — Down the Columbia to Astoria, 289

Chapter XIII. The Mississippi And Its Chief Affluents

Cass's Voyage up the Mississippi — Long and James on the Platte, or Nebraska — Discovery of the two sources of tlie Platte — Among the Mountain Passes — Eating of poisonous berries — Meeting with a Bear — Ascent of Pike's Peak — Search for head-waters of the Contents. 13 PAGE 319 Arkansas — The Canadian taken for the Arkansas, and followed to its junction with the latter river — Start of new expedition from the Ohio — Cannibalism amongst the Natives — The Apostle of the Indians— Across the Prairies to Lake Michigan — Through Illinois to the Mississippi — Up the Mississippi to the Minnesota — The head-waters of the Minnesota — The primal home of the Red River of the North, the St. Lawrence, &c. — Up the Red River to Lake AVinnipeg — From Lake AViunipeg to the Lake of the AVoods, and thence across country to Lake Superior — Schoolcraft's ascent of the Mississippi, and discovery of its actual source, . . . 308

Chapter XIV. Discovery Of The Great Basin, With The Salt Lake Of

UTAH, AND JUURNEY ACROSS THE SIERRA NEVADA TO CALIFORNIA. AA'ilkes' survey of the Western Coast — Fremont's ascent of the Kansas — Encounter with Arapaho Warriors — Arrival at Fort Laramie — A threatening letter — Fremont's reply — On the Sweet AVater River — Discovery of Mountain Lake and of Fremont's Peak — A winged messenger — Back to Fort Laramie — To the Rocky Mountains again — On the banks of the Bear River — Discovery of the Great Salt Lake — Embarkation on the lake — Sudden change in the character of its waters — From the Salt Lake through the Great Basin to Fort Hall, and thence to the Columbia River — Attempt to return home by a new route — Lost in the Wilderness — Discovery of Lake TlamatR — Search for an opening in the mountains — Discovery of Pyramid Lake — Meeting with Snake Indians — Hunger — Salmon discovered in a river flowing into the lake — News of white men on the South — All hope of reaching United States abandoned — Fremont resolves to cross the Sierra Nevada — First peak scaled — Meeting with Indians — A gap in the mountains discovered at last — Ascent of the Californian Mountain — Opening a path through the snow — A terrible prophecy — Flight of guide — First sight of seaboard range of mountains — Intense excitement — Down the eastern slopes of the Californian Mountain to the banks of the Sacramento — Arrival at Sutter's Fort — Back to St. Louis by way of the South Pass — Fremont's third and last journey, .

Chapter XV. Two Great Emigrations

Early history of the Mormons — Murder of Smith— Expulsion from Illinois — Across the frozen Mississippi — Through the wilderness — Summons to the war — Young men sent to the aid of the Republic— Arrival on the shores of the Great Salt Lake — Building of Salt Lake City — Expedition of Stansbury — California ceded to the States — Discovery of gold near Sutter's Fort — World-wide excitement— Rush of 30,000 Emigrants westwards— Terror of Indians at approach of the white men — Sufferings in the mountains—Jealousy of settlers — Prairies set on fire— Survivors of the 30,000 rescued by white men from California, .... Contents. PAOE 344 359

Chapter XVI. Among The Apaches, Navajoes, And Zuni Indians Of Texas, Arizona

AND NEW MEXICO. Cozens' start from Merilla — First encounter with Apaches, and murder of Laws — A Bear hunt — To the ruins of Le Gran Quivera — Two mules stolen — Back again to Merilla — Cozens and Cochise, an Apache chief — Cochise offers to act as guide to the encampment of his warriors — The great mirage known as Greenhorn's Lake — A chaos of rocks and precipices — Following an Indian trail — Down the ravine to the Apache valley — First sight of Apache village, with huts built on truncated mounds— Excitement amongst the Apaches — Cochise explains Cozens' presence — Eager welcome — Arrival of Magnus Colorado, the great scalper — Trying interview between Magnus and Cozens — Eternal friendship sworn — A blood-stained baby's frock — Scalp-dance and its attendant horrors — Back again to Mexico — Second and third trips to the North — With Jim Davis, the Emigrant's Friend, to the Navajoe country — Ascent of Sierra Madre — Encounter with a Panther — In the Zuni valley amongst the blue-eyed Indians — Ruins of Zuni — Encounter with Navajoes — Jim Davis's story — Re-capture of stolen cattle — A fall of three hundred feet — Marvellous preservation of Cozens — Nursed by the Zunis — Murder of Stewart's family by Apaches — Escape of Stewart to Zuni — His death of a broken heart — Return of Cozens to Mexico,

Chapter XVII. Conclusion

Crisis in British America — Consolidation of its various parts in one great Colony — Decay of Hudson's Bay Company — Establishment of an International Boundary Line — Journey of Palliser — Admission of British Columbia to the Dominion, and conditions of its admission — Surveys for Railway — Fleming's Expeditions — Dispute between British Government and United States — Joint Commission sent out to determine Boundary Line — Results obtained by it, Jllu^raiionj), PAGE Junction of the Ottawa and the St. Lawrence, . . .152 Kirk entering the St. Lawrence, 156 Marquette's Reception by the Indians, .... 174 Mouth of the Ohio, . . 175 The Forks of the Saskatchewan, 183 Californian Aborigines, . .187 Cortes, 188 A Street in San Francisco, . 201 The Tea in Boston Harbour, . 215 A Sioux Chief, . . .236 Setting out with the Sledges, . 238 Valley of the Mississippi, . 241 The Missouri in the Rocky Mountains, . . . 255 Fox's Pinnace, . . . 274 Encamped on the Great North Plain, . . . .282 Sources of the Saskatchewan, . 286 Ascending the Father of Waters 309 Salt Lake City, . . .341 The Apache Country, . .347 PAGE Columbus looking westward over the Atlantic, . . 26 Perez on his way to Santa Fe 31 The Ships of Columbus, . . 34 Welcomed home, . . .40 Columbus in Chains, . . 41 Vasco Nuiiez on his knees, . 48 Search for the Fountain of Youth 51 The Burial of De Soto, . . 67 The Building of the Pinnace, 81 Sir Humphrey Gilbert reading his Commission, . . 91 Sir Walter Raleigh, . 92 Sir Francis Drake, . . 94 The Lost Colony, . . .97 Presentation of Pocahontas, . 107 La Saussaye preaching to the Natives 115 The English at Cape Cod, . 126 Sword of Miles Standish, . 131 John Winthrop and his Followers, .... HEROES OF AMERICAN DISCOVERY

Chapter I. Columbus, His Predecessors And His Immediate Successors

America known to the Ancients — The Island of Atlantis — Scandinavian Emigration — Eric the Red and Gunnbiorn — Bjarni Herjulfson and Leif the Lucky — Discovery of Vinland — Thorvald and the Skrællings — A terrible, struggle — An Heroic Amazon — Retreat of the Danes- Return of Freydis to Arinland — Massacre of Colonists by her orders — Total Disappearance of Scandinavian Settlement — Madoc of Wales —The Brothers Zeni — Marco Polo — Early Life of Columbus — The Astrolabe applied to Navigation — A Hearing at last — Duplicity of John II. — Columbus in poverty and exile — A generous Prior — Hope and Despair — Isabella is won over — Full powers granted to Columbus — The Start from Saltos — Discontent of Sailors — Variation of Compass — Mutiny — Land Ahead ! — Discovery of the West Indian Islands — Return to Spain — Second and Third Voyages — Death in poverty and disgrace — Amerigo A'espucci — The Cabots — First Landing in North America — The Cortereals — Breton Fishermen. // 7/M\ [f LTHOUGH the discovery of America used to 4/fHn i dated from the voyage of Columbus to the West Indies in 1492, there can be little doubt that this great hero was by no means the first explorer of our era to visit the New World.

The existence of land B Early Explorers. 18 to the west of the Pillars of Hercules was even known to the ancients. Frequent mention is made by Greek and Eoman authors of islands on the West, especially of the fair Atlantis, concerning which Plato gives many details, declaring it to have been of vast extent and great beauty, but to have been swallowed up by the sea in pre-historic times. Some modern authors are of opinion that the Canaries are the only existing remains of this Atlantis; others that the so-called island was in reality the mainland of America. Leaving this question to those now studying it with the aid of the recent discoveries in the New World, we pass on to find trustworthy accounts in the old sagas — of which the principal, recently discovered in an Icelandic monastery, are preserved in the Eoyal Library at Copen hagen — of the presence of Danish settlers in Greenland as early as 982 a.d. These were led thither by the great Eric the Eed, who is supposed, however, merely to have acted on information left behind by au early settler of Iceland, named Gunnbiorn, a century before.

Gunnbiorn was the true discoverer of Greenland, which he had sighted — though not visited — naming it Hvidsaerk, or the " White Shirt," because of tbe perpetual covering of snow worn by its highlands. In a voyage from Iceland to Greenland, four years after the visit of Eric the Eed to the latter country, a Danish navigator named Bjarni Herjulfson was driven far out of his course to the South, and saw land stretching away on the West; but he returned home without making any exploration of the new territories, for which, says tradition, "he was greatly blamed." His reports, however, of what he had seen, led to the fitting out and heading of a far more important expedition by Leif the Lucky, who, making Leif the Lucky and Thorvald. 19 direct for the most southerly point gained by his pre decessors, reached the modern Newfoundland, which he called Hellulaud, and, landing, found it to be " a country without grass, and covered with snow and ice."

From Helluland Leif sailed to the present Nova Scotia, which he named " Markland," or woodland, because of its extensive forests ; and thence he is said to have been driven by a contrary wind on to the coast of New England, but on Avhat part of that coast there is no evidence to show, although it is generally agreed to have been in about N. lat. 41° 24', a little to the north of Ehode Island. Excursions inland revealed the newly discovered district to be rich in vines and timber ; and loading his vessel with grapes and Avood, Leif made haste to return home with his trophies, giving such glowing accounts of his adventures on his arrival, that a short time later his brother Thorvald started with a crew of thirty men for the land of promise. Thorvald is supposed on this trip to have coasted along the shores of Connecticut, Ehode Island, and Long Island, and in the ensuing year, 1004, to have sailed as far north as Cape Cod (N lat. 42° 5', W. long. 70° 10'), where he was wrecked in a violent storm.

His vessel was not, however, materially damaged, and having repaired it, he coasted along the present Massachusetts till he came to what is now the harbour of Boston. There he landed, and wandering to and fro in the beautiful scenery Avith his men, he for the first time came upon some natives, probably Esquimaux, who were resting peaceably beneath their quaint skin-boats. With the cruelty too often characteristic of the wild sea-kings of the North, Thorvald at once gave the signal Thorvald and the Skrællings. 20 for attack. The poor Skrællings, as he dubbed the natives, were quickly overpowered. One only escaped, and the others were foully murdered. No wonder that this was the beginning of the end of Thorvald's enterprise. That very night, as he and his followers were sleeping peacefully, untroubled by any remorse for their evil deeds, they were roused by the war-whoop of the Skrællings, come at the bidding of the one survivor to avenge his comrades.