Stories of Columbia

Preface

Columbia abounds in scenery sublime and beautiful, and her history is nch in lessons of heroism and patriotism. The story of her discovery, trials, triumph, and progress finds in the young eager and loyal listeners. This book is presented to the boys and girls of Columbia with the hope that it may touch their lives, and cause them to feel a greater pride in their country's achievements and a deeper love for her institutions.

The author here gratefully acknowledges his obligations to Lee O. Hams, who has so generously assisted him in many ways, and has written the introductory stanzas to the several sketches ; and to Arnold Tompkins, Cyrus W. Hodgin, and W. H. Mace, who have so kindly advised and encouraged him in the preparation of this work.

W. H. G.

COjSTTENTS.

I.— The Sea Kings

II.— Columbus pleading the cause of America III.— Columbus in the King and Queen's gardens IV.— Columbus in poverty and in chains v.— The Red Man of the forest and plain VI.— The Mound Builders ....

VII.— Our Pilgrim Fathers VIII.— Our unkind mother .• .

IX.— The father of American liberty , X.— The friend of American liberty . XI.— The daughters of the Revolution . XII.— The pioneers of the Mississippi Valley XIII.— Two famous rides ....

XIV.— Some naval heroes ....

XV.— Some American boys of genius

LIST OF ILLUSTEATIONS.

FACING PAGE

Statue of George Washington . . . Frontispiece

Ships of the Northmen 4

Columbus before the Court of Spain .... 14

Landing of Columbus 18

Indian Village . 42

On Board the Mayflower 75

"Both Regiments or None" 99

Washington at Monmouth 110

General Lafayette 118

Daniel Boone 142

Sheridan's Ride 156

Battle of the Bonhomme Richard and the Serapis . 164

Chase of the Constitution 168

A Modern Reaper and Harvester 190

STORIES OF COLUMBIA.

Chapter I. The Sea Kings

From a land where Aurora is the queen of night,

And banners the sky with flame, Like a fierce sea eagle in distant flight

The bark of the sea kings came. No fear of the unknown sea had they,

Nor dread of the breakers' roar, As they chased the light of the flying day

To the sands of the western shore.

Among the snows of northern Euro})e is a large peninsula. It dips far down into the stoi-my Atlantic and reaches far up into the icy Ai'ctic. Seas and gulfs cut it off from the land on the east. Near the western side extends a long range of mountains whose tops are ahvays covered with snow^, and down whose sides are ever-creeping fields of ice. At a distance these mountains appear like frozen waves throwm upon the land by the angry ocean. Leaping down through the clefts

in the mountain sides are many rivers formed from tlie meltino^ ice and snow. A thousand waterfalls make sweet music all the year round, and their silver spray catches the northern sunbeams and throws them back in numberless rainbows. Here and there are beautiful lakes of clear water. The valleys are covered with large forests of birch and pine.

This is a wonderful country. It has been called the '^ Land of the Midnio-ht Sun." Here in midsummer the sun shines day and night. At midnight it can be seen just above the horizon ; then it sinks from sight for a few minutes, and the twilight blends with the dawn, bathing the whole landscape in a flood of crimson and gold. Then no stars are seen and the moon's pale face gives no light. The summers are just long enough for the flowers to bloom and die and for the farmer to gather in his harvest. The birds make a short visit, sing their farewell song, and hui'ry off to warmer lands. The days grow shorter and shorter until the sun disappears. Then come the long, beautiful nights. The stars come out. The moon sheds her light over the wonderful scenery ; and the heavens are aflame with the northern lights as they flash and flicker in these cold, icy regions.

One thousand years ago this wonderful land was the home of the Northmen. They were a brave, \\ild people, who loved their country with

THE SEA KIXGS. 3

all its bleak mountains and its long, cold winters. When all the rest of Europe was groaning under the yoke of slavery they were a fi-ee people, governed by their own laws. Before this time they knew nothing about God. They believed there were many gods, who were all the children of one great being called Odin. Everything they saw was the work of the gods, and every sound was the sound of their voices or the echo of their movements. Thor was god of the thunder. The dark stoiTQ clouds were his angiy brows, the lightning was the fierce flashing of his eyes, and the thunder was the rumbling of his mighty chariot as he drove his swift steeds over the mountain tops. The icebergs were the cows of some powerful giants who lived far to the north. Balder was the god of peace. AVhen the sun disappeared and the long nights set in, they said some wicked giant had slain the good Balder, and had tluis brought darkness upon the world. When the sun again appeared and brought to them warmth and light, they said Balder had come to life.

In 872 Harold the I^air, an ho was king of this country, tried to take from the Northmen their liberties, and by the sword compel them to forsake the gods they had loved so long and had so long worshiped. Much as they loved the land of their childhood, ^vith its wild, beautiful sceneiy, they loved more their freedom. They had heard of Iceland in the midst of the ocean ; so they determined to leave their own country and seek a home in this wintry isle. They had sailed on almost all the seas of Europe, and were not afraid of the strano:e, wild ocean with all its monsters. Like our Pilgrim Fathers, they sought and found a home where they would be free to think and act.

Let us look at this new home of the Northmen and learn something^ of their strangle surroundings. The central part of the island is elevated very much above the coast. Great columns of stone rise one above another and are covered with ice and snow. In the sunlig-ht these columns, with their crystal coverings, appear like large temples with roofs and windows of glass. There are many lakes in the hollows of the rocks. Under the fields of snow and ice are hidden volcanoes, w^hich melt their coverings and cause the rivers to overflow. The water in the lakes and wells rises and falls with the movements of the ocean. There are numerous geysers, wdth waters of green, blue, and red. From these the water is often thrown to the height of two or three hundred feet. Standing above all these is Hecla, the Cloak Mountain. At times he shakes the whole island with his deep, hoarse rumblings, and wav-

THE SEA KiyGS. 5

ino- his flaming; torch hisfh above his head, sends forth such clouds of smoke and ashes as to hide the sun and cover the ishind with darkness many days.

The people lived in the valleys along the coast, and from early childhood were accustomed to hear the murmur of the ocean ^vhen at rest, and to Avatch its mad fury when lashed by the storm. In the midst of such scenes as these, and those they had left behind, it is not strange that the Northmen became a bold and fearless people. Though they were great in strength and powerful in arms, they were kind and chivalrous toward their women. They were true friends, but dangerous enemies. They were well fitted to sail upon unknown seas and visit new lands.

For many years after the settlement of Iceland reports came to her people of another land lying westward. These reports w^ere brought by sailors who had been driven out of their way by the western wdnds which frequently blew in that latitude.

About 983 a man named Erik the Red came from the old Norseland of northern Europe and settled in Iceland. He, too, had heard of this western land, and desired to know^ more about it. In 984 he set sail for this strange land, and found and explored it. He remained there two years, then returned proudly to Iceland. He had discovered a country unknown to civilization. He had stood where no white man had been before him. He had seen what before had been hidden from tlie eyes of all his race. He told many wonderful stories of the country he had discovered, and called it Greenland, though it produced but little except snow^ and ice. He gave it this name that he might persuade others to settle there.

Afterward Erik and all his friends moved to Greenland. Among these was Herjulf, whose son had gone on a visit to the old home of the Northmen. When the son returned and learned that his father had gone to Greenland, he decided to follow him. He did not wish to compel his sailors to make a voyage on unknown seas to a strange land, so he asked how many were willing to go. Every man said, " I ! " Soon after he started, the winds changed and drove him far to the south. He came into a thick fog which hid everything from view for several days. When the fog cleared a^vay he saw land in the distance. He knew it was not Greenland, for it was level and covered with trees. He had heard that Greenland was fringed with mountains bold and snowy. He saw the land three times on this voyage, but did not go ashore. After sailing nine days toward the northeast he reached Greenland and told his people what he

THE SEA KIXGS. 7

liad seen. Many believe that the land first seen by Herjiilfson on this voyage is where the city of Boston now stands.

Lief Erikson, the son of Erik the Red, desired to leai'n something of the land discovered by Herjulfson and his men. He bought the ships of Herjulfson, and immediately set sail on a voyage of discovery and exploration. He landed many times and explored the surrounding country. He sailed as far south as ]\rassachusetts, where he again landed. He had never seen a country like this. His life had been spent among the mountains in the cold I'eQ-ions. Here he found larc^e forests scented with the odor of wild flowers and joyous with the music of many birds. The branches of the trees were covered with vines heavy with ripened grapes. This caused him to name the country Vineland. In the spring he returned to Greenland and told many things about the lands he had visited.

A brother of Lief Erikson, named Thorwald, made a voyage to Vineland the next year. He remained there three years, when he was killed in a battle with the natives. Here in the wilderness his companions buried him, and set up two crosses to mark the place where he lay. He was probably the first white man buried in America. AVhen he landed he said, '^ Here is a beautiful spot, and here I should like well to lix my dwelling." Near this same spot, more than eight hundred years afterward, there was dug from the ground a large skeleton clad in armor. Many persons believe this to be the skeleton of Thorwald. You should read Mr. Longfellow's beautiful poem, The Skeleton in Armor. In this he makes the skeleton say :

" Far in the northern land, By the wild Baltic's strand, I, with my childish hand, Tamed the ger-falcon ; And, with my skates fast-bound, Skimmed the half-frozen sound That the poor whimpering hound Trembled to walk on."

After the burial of their chief the sailors silently and sadly departed for their home in the cold north regions.

In the year 1007 Thorfinn married Gudrid, the sister of Lief Erikson and Thorwald. She persuaded him to leave the cold, dreary country of Greenland and settle in Vineland, where there are lone: summers and sing-ins: birds and blooming flowers. So they sailed for this country, of which they had heard so much, taking with them one hundred and fifty men and seven women. They also took a large number of cattle and sheep. They lived here three years ; but the natives were so hostile that they vv^ere compelled

THE 8EA KIXGS. 9

to leave Vineland and return to the bleak shores of Greenland.

After the return of Thorfinn and his company the voyages to America became less and less frequent, until they ceased altogether. The colony in Greenland was abandoned, the wild flowers covered up the grave of Thorwald, the voyages of the sea kings were forgotten, and it was left for Christopher Columbus to open the gates of the New AN'orld to the civilization of the Old.

CHAPTEE 11.

COLUMBUS PLEADIXa THE CAUSE OF AMERICA.

The plea of genius humbled to its knees, Nor saw the star of empire where it burned,

A beacon light beyond the Western seas. But he, whose soul o'erleaped the centuries And saw the future with prophetic eyes, Compelled the veil of mystery to rise, And gave the world's horizon reach of boundless skies.

The bold sea kino-s of Iceland had seen North America and explored its coast, but Europe knew nothing of the two great continents of the New World. They lay unknown beyond the blue waters of the Atlantic which the sailors thought to be full of monsters so great as to be able to swallow the largest vessels. No ships had ventured beyond the groups of islands which were not far out from the mainland. The story of the New World with its great forests, its numerous lakes, its beautiful rivers, and its wild red men had never been told in Europe until Columbus and his brave crew had crossed and recrossed the Atlantic and told it to the King and Queen of Spain.

COLUMBUS PLEADING THE CAUSE OF AMERICA. H

Very little is written of tlie early boyhood of Columbus. His father was poor and almost unknown. It w^as left to the son to make the family name famous by the discovery of the New World. Genoa is supposed to be the place of his birth, though it is doubted by many. The time of his birth is also in doubt. Some writers say he was l)orn in 1436, and others try to prove that he was born in 1446. We know that he lived near this time ; the exact date of his birth is not important to us. He grew to manhood with but little education, yet he had a i)urpose and was honest and earnest. These brouuht to him success and honor.

History first speaks of Columbus as a sailor lad about fourteen years of age. He had spent all his young life near the sea, so we are not surprised to hear of him as a sailor. After this w^e often catch glimpses of him. Sometimes he is engaged in commerce along the shores of Africa ; sometimes he is in the king's service fighting the bold sea robbers that are so numerous in the Mediteri'anean Sea ; and later we see him making maps and charts to suppoi-t himself and his aged father, and at the same time educating his younger brothers.

He devoted the spare UK^ments of his busy life to study. He read the writings of Marco Polo and Sir John Mandeville, and through them was led to believe the earth is round. He knew of the rich spice islands near tlie coast of southern Asia, and believed lie could reacli them by sailing westward. He did not dream of the two Americas and the great Pacific which stretched away to the Asiatic coast many thousand miles away. He thought the earth to be much smaller than it is and that eastern Asia lay much nearer western Eurojoe than it really does. He studied astronomy and geography, that he might know more of the world, and that he might be able to convince others that he was right.

There were at this time other men who were interested in the study of geography and astronomy. Prince Henry, of Portugal, established a college for the teaching of these subjects. Learning of this, Columbus went to Portugal. Here he married the daughter of an explorer. His wife encouraged and assisted him in his studies, which he pursued with the eagerness of a child. In addition to his studies he frequently went on voyages along the coast of Africa, that he might learn of the sailors what they knew both of the land and the sea.

The more he traveled and studied, the more earnestly did he cling to his idea that the earth is round. So firmly did he believe this to be true, that he determined to sail around it. But he was poor and could not purchase the necessary ships. To the King of Portugal he explained his belief

COLUMBUS PLEADING THE CAUSE OF AMERICA. 13

and asked him for assistance. The kinsr submitted

o

the matter to a council of learned men. After discussino- it several months the council declared that the earth could not be round, and that it would be folly to attempt such a voyage as that planned by Columbus. Disappointed, but not discouraged, he returned to his native country and applied for aid, but was acrain refused.

The earnestness of Columbus in presenting his cause to the council of the Kins: of Portuc^al converted the kin^r to his belief. lie thousfht he misfht bring great honor to himself and his country if he should discover a new route to the East Indies and prove to the people that the earth is round. So, immediately after Columbus had departed, he secretly prepared and sent out an expedition of discovery. The expedition was a failure, as it deserved to be.

What Columbus believed he believed earnestly, and what he did he did earnestly. He permitted no obstacle to keep him back or turn him aside from his purpose. Hoping still to find some one who would trust and aid him, in 1486 he set out on foot to visit the court of Spain. On his long journey he sto^iped at the door of a Franciscan friar, who gave him bread, and hope for the future. This humble Christian ever remained his faithful friend, and afterward greatly aided him in securiug the assistance of Queen Isabella. He reached the capital of Spain ragged, hungry, and penniless. A second time he maintained himself by making maps and charts.

After many days of anxious waiting he was permitted to see the king and queen. They called together their council to hear his story. He came before these learned men clad as a peasant, and Avith all the eloquence of his devoted soul pleaded the cause of the New World. We must admire the humble sailor as he thus pleaded before this council of wise men. The council heard him through, then adjourned without giving him an answ^er.

At this time the king and queen were engaged in a war against the Moors. They were trying to drive from Spain this cruel people who lived in strong castles among the mountains. The king was commander of the army and always w^ent with it to battle. The queen went wdth her husband, and in this manner the court moved from place to place. Columbus became a soldier in the king's army and with it marched into the mountains. He thus braved all the dangers of war that he might be near the court and urge his cause, should an opportunity be offered him. In 1491 he again appeared before the learned council, which admii'ed his earnestness but rejected his cause.

COLUMBUS PLEADING THE CAUSE OF AMERICA. 15

He had labored, waited, and lioped in Spain for five long years, only, to be disappointed. He now determined to turn to France for assistance. He started on foot to leave the countiy, but his old friend the friar persuaded him to remain until another effort could be made in his behalf. The fi^iar went in person to the queen and spoke for his fiiend. The effort was successful. The queen requested Columbus to return, and sent him money with which to })repare himself for the journey.

He arrived at court just in time to see the capture of the last strong castle of the Moors by the Spanish arms and the surrender of " the Crescent to the Cross." Tlie n()l)le queen met him kindly. She was so touched by his simple eloquence that she declared, " I undertake the enterprise for my own crown of Castile, and will jjledge my private jewels to raise the necessary funds." Eighteen long years had Columbus spent in going from court to court. He had hoped and been disappointed. He had labored and fasted. How welcome must have been the kind ^vords of the good Queen Isabella !

Many difficulties yet awaited him. The shipowners refused to let their ships go upon such a perilous voyage. The sailors feared to leave their homes and friends to sail far out upon an ocean which they believed to be inhabited by great monsters. Columbus could secure neitlier men nor vessels until tlie king commq^ded his officers to take tlie ships by force and compel the sailors to prepare for the voyage. In this manner the Pinta, Nina, and Santa Maria were secured and manned for the expedition. On Friday morning, August 3, 1492, all was ready. A multitude of people stood on the shore to watch the ships spread their white sails to the summer breeze. Flags fluttered from the masts. The pilots were at their wheels. The sea w^as calm. Tearful farewells were said with dismal forebodings, and just as the morning sun broke through the mist that fringed the shore the three small vessels sailed — they knew not where. .

The vessels stopped at the Canary Islands and remained three weeks. They then set sail upon an unknown ocean. As the last of the Canaries w^as left behind, the bravest of the crew wept. After sailing many days they were caught by the trade winds and wafted smoothly along. To the inexperienced sailors this w^as a new source of danger. They believed these winds would carry them on and on, and, though they should escape the monsters of the deep, they would not be able to return. When they reached that portion of the sea which is covered with grasses and weeds, they felt sure that this was the home of those

COLUMBUS PLEAD IX a THE CAUSE OF AMERICA. 17

monsters they bad so greatly feared. But the vessels sailed slowly and safely through this ocean meadow and were again safe upon the open ocean.

At the close of each day, after the sun had sunk into his watery bed and darkness had fallen upon the face of the deep, the sailors would sing the evening hymn ; then all except those on duty would retire to dream of the land ahead and the friends and loved ones at home. How solemn must have been that hymn in the midst of an unknown ocean, with none to hear save Him " who formed the sea and the dry land " !

The cry of land was heard many times, and all eyes were strained to catch a glimpse of the wishedfor shore, and as many times did the men return disappointed to their posts of duty. As the days passed and the ships sped swiftly and smoothly on their course, the men were frequently made glad by flights of birds which became more and more numerous. Fresh plants floated by. Columbus felt sure that he was neariiig land. Tlie evening hymn was sung as usual, but few of the men retired. Columbus took his position aloft, that he might keep watch for the expected land. At two o'clock, Friday morning, October 12, 1492, he saw a lif^ht risins: and fallino; in the distance. So often had his men been disappointed by the cry of land that he feared to trust himself. He called others.

and tliey, too, saw tlie light. There was no sleep on board that night.

As the day dawned they beheld a most beautiful landscape, covered with forests of pine and adorned wdth flowers of every color. On the shore stood groups of wondering wild people. One prolonged, glad shout went up from the ships, and the brave Columbus wept for joy. He immediately put off in a small boat to take possession of the new land in the name of the sovereigns of Spain. When he reached the shore he fell upon his knees, kissed the earth, and gave thanks to Him who had given him the victory.

its^^

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I

CHAPTER III. COLUMBUS rS^ THE KLXG AND QUEEn's GARDEI^S

Dashed with the foam of the roaring surf, Or hilled by the song of the summer sea ;

Rich with all sweets of a fragrant turf, Or torn by the mad wind's revelry ;

Weeping in terror or glad with smiles —

Such is the garden of " Beautiful I^Ies."

The arrival of Columbus among the West Indies filled the simple natives with wonder. They stood in groups on the shore and gazed at his ships, which they thought to be white-winged birds from the clouds ; and they kissed the hands of the pale-faced men, whom they thought to be inhabitants of the skies. They were a kind, simple people. For weapons they had wooden spears the ends of which had been hardened by burning or were tipped witli flint, and bows with arrows pointed with the bones of fishes and the teeth of animals. Some of them wore in their ears and noses ornaments of gold. These they gladly exchanged with th-e Spaniards for beads and other trinkets of little value. When asked where they got tlieir gold, they pointed to the south. They also told Columbus that not far to the south was a fierce, warlike people, who often came to their island and carried many of them into captivity.

To the first island Columbus discovered he gave the name San Salvador. Thinking he had reached the East India islands, he called the natives Indians. This name was afterward given to all the natives of North and South America. They told him of other islands inhabited by a people richer and more powerful than themselves.

Anxious to know more of this newly discovered country and eager for gold, Columbus gave his men but one day's rest at San Salvador. At the close of the day he began his cruise among the islands. He visited one after another, always findino" amonsf the natives the same kindness and simplicity. He learned from them that not far away was Cuba, an island much larger than any he had before discovered. The quick imagination of Columbus immediately pictured a great country full of gold, pearls, and spices, and governed by a rich and powerful prince.

As soon as the weather was favorable he set sail for Cuba. Here he anchored in the mouth of a beautiful river whose banks were covered to the water's edge with fiowers of every hue and of sweetest fragrance. The scenery of this island

COLUMBUS IX THE KIXG AND QUEEX'S GARDEXS. 21

was far more beautiful than any lie had yet beheld. He declared it to be the most beautiful island that eyes ever looked upon, and that here one could live forever. However, he found no grand dwellings, no large cities, no rich prince, but a people poorer than those he had first visited. He believed Cuba to be a part of the mainland, and did not live to discover his error.

The scenes presented to the Spaniards in this new land ^vere strange and beautiful. In May the spring rains begin, and continue several weeks. About noon each day dark clouds apjiear in the west, the islands are shaken by teiTitlc peals of thunder, and the rain conies down in torrents. Before nightfall the sky is again clear. Later in the year destructive hurricanes sweep over the ocean and the adjacent land. Following the hurricanes, the sea is angry and lashes the sh(^res with great fury. Quiet then settles over both the land and the sea, and until April the most delightful weather prevails.

The air is soft and scented with the odor of ev^er-blooming flowers. The soil is rich and moist, and under the influence of the summer's sun vegetables mature in two or three weeks. How strange it would seem to see boys digging potatoes and girls picking pease only three weeks after they had been planted ! Large alligators, with dull, dreamy eyes, lazily navigate tlie rivers of clear, fresh water. Near the shores of the islands the water of the ocean is so clear that pebbles can be seen on the bottom many feet below the surface, and darting through it can be seen fishes whose silvery sides reflect every color of the rainbow.

The forests abound in birds of most brilliant plumage. The parrot caws from morn till night, and the gay woodpecker " loudly beats the morning drum that wakes the birds." Hovering ovei the many-colored flowers are swarms of humming birds, some as large as a sparrow and others but little larger than a bumblebee. In the lowlands are armies of flamingoes, w^hich, with their scarlet plumage, appear like the British red-coats of the Revolution. Climbino^ among^ the branches of the evergreen trees are hosts of chattering monkeys, and vines bloomius; with fras^rant flowers.