Our country in story

Foreword

This little book, intended for use in the fifth and sixth grades of our elementary schools, embodies in a series of stories many of the more notable events in the history of our country. In these various narratives are portrayed the Catholic missionary, discoverer, explorer, and statesman, bringing out the influence of faith on character and actions. Another distinctive feature of the book is that while it deals with projects, and emphasizes the elements of cause and effect, it still contains all the ethical value of a biographical work.

Children delight in stories. The dramatic, the picturesque, the personal, appeal powerfully to the youthful mind, leading it to see the past as a living present, and to think the thoughts and experience the feelings of those who now live only in their words and deeds. When reading about Columbus, Father Marquette, or Washington, the child is charmed; it quite intuitively imbibes ethical principles and acquires without special effort the knowledge of what is in itself dry, unattractive fact-matter.

"Truth embodied in a tale Will enter in at lowly doors."

Accordingly, the historic events described in this text are made to center about some hero, and are presented in a manner to attract and claim the attention of the youthful mind, inspiring it with a desire to search farther into the broad field of history. Thus this little book will achieve the main object of its mission — it will become a basis for the more advanced study of history in the seventh and eighth grades.

The subject matter has been arranged in chronological order as nearly as possible. No attempt, however, has been made to give a connected account of historical topics. On the contrary, each set of narratives is a separate unit complete in itself. The two first series of stories, "A Pathway Across the Atlantic" and "Balboa and Magellan Prove That Columbus Had Discovered a New Continent," treating on discovery, pi-epare the way for the colonization of the American continent. "The Story of a Great River" is representative of the period of exploration. "The Great Southwest" embodies the great scheme of civilization and christianization. "On the Banks of the Potomac" and "Our National Banner" stand for the organization of the American nation. "West to the Mississippi," "West to the Pacific," and "A Missionary to the Far West" carry emigration and industry across the Alleghanies into the Mississippi Valley, thence over the Rockies to the Pacific; "The West Is Linked with the East" finally connects the extreme ocean coasts by the story of the first transcontinental railroad. Thus all the subjects taken together contribute toward forming a peculiarly charming and valuable whole.

The teacher's attention is called to the several maps and numerous illustrations by means of which events and characters are presented more clearly and accurately to the mind.

At the end of each series of stories are found questions which not only stimulate thought about what has been presented in the text, but also furnish an incentive for additional reading. In addition to the questions are references to historical poems and songs. The reading or singing of these stirring poems and ballads will aid wonderfully in firing the imagination and fixing a principle or fact of history in the memory.

In the preparation of this book original records, old journals, and various other authentic sources have been freely consulted and utilized. We would acknowledge indebtedness to the Jesuit Fathers at Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, and Spokane, Washington; and to a number of other Reverend members of the clergy who read the manuscript and offered helpful advice and suggestions. Special mention is due to Father Zephyrin Engelhardt, O. F. M., Santa Barbara, California, the author of Missio7is and Missionaries of California. Besides reading very closely the entire manuscript, he offered freely for use in this book any matter, maps, or illustrations from his books that might prove suitable for the purpose. We are indebted to the Bobbs-Merrill Company for kind permission to reproduce seven illustrations from The Conquest of the Northwest; to the Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Company for permitting the use of the illustration "Meeting with the Natives," from Towle's Magellan; and to Dodd, Mead & Company for the illustration "A Patagonian," from Guillemard's Ferdinand Magellan. Our thanks are also due to Mr. F. A. Wadleigh, passenger traffic manager of the Denver & Rio Grand Railroad Company, for the photograph from which the engraving "The Great Divide" is reproduced. Credit must also be given Miss Mary E. Tobin, Principal of the Marquette School, Chicago, Illinois, for reading proofs and offering valuable suggestions.

Contents

PAGE

I. A Pathway across the Atlantic

1. A Long-Ago Voyage 9

II Balboa And Magellan Prove That Columbus Had Discovered A New Continent

1. THE DISCOVERY OF THE PACIFIC

Columbus had really discovered a hitherto unknown grand division of land. But the people of Europe did not know this. Though they called the newly discovered continent "New World," they named it thus merely because it was new and unexplored. For they still beheved that Columbus had found India and the long-sought all-water route leading to it. Great numbers of Spaniards soon followed the pathway across the Atlantic and built new homes and towns, a little New Spain, on the islands discovered by Columbus, thinking all the while that these islands were the East Indies.

They were, however, greatly puzzled not to find the spices, the precious stones, and the silks of India. Thus, by and by, people began to think that, after all, Columbus had not reached India but had found a large new country lying between the Atlantic Ocean and some other great sea which they thought washed the shores of Asia. To find a passage through this new land and across this other great sea to the riches of India became the one ambition of every enterprising explorer who crossed the Atlantic.

Before long, some Spanish sailors cx:3lored the coast of the Isthmus of Panama which had been previously discovered and named Darien by Columbus. They found considerable quantities of gold and learned from the Indians that the country contained rich deposits of the precious metal. The news caused great excitement in Spain.

DISCOVERY OF THE PACIFIC 53

Soon everybody began to talk about making voyages to the New World. The ship-builders could not work fast enough to supply the ships that were needed. Many people set out with wild hopes to look for gold, while others went in search of a passage through the new land.

When the news that there was gold in Darien reached Haiti, a party of eager men set out in two ships for the land of promise. This happened about four years after the death of Columbus. When the adventurers were well on their way, the crew in one of the ships was surprised by a great pounding noise in the hold of the vessel.

"It seems as if the barrels are getting alive," said one of the men. And in proof of his statement, one large cask rolled and rocked right up to the commander. The top of the cask flew off and out leaped a handsome young sailor. He shook his velvet cloak and dangling sword into place and looked at the interesting group of sailors who were gazing at him in dumb surprise.

"It is Balboa!" cried the captain indignantly.

"Yes, I am Balboa," was the calm and fearless reply.

"I'll put you off on the shore of the first desert island we come to," said the angry commander.

"Oh, no, good captain, you won't do that," pleaded Balboa. "I can be of help to you. I've been at Darien before, and know the country."

The captain felt that Balboa was right. He knew the young man to be a good sailor, a trusty soldier, and a clever adventurer, just the man to make the enterprise a success. He therefore decided to take the intruder along.

But who was this Balboa ? And why did he choose this strange way of going to Darien ? He was a Spanish nobleman who had led a wild, free life, spending and borrowing money until he was heavily in debt. Then he came to the New World. After cruising about and exploring the coast of Darien until his worm-eaten ship gave out, he went to Haiti. Hoping to save enough money to pay his debts, he tried farming. Instead of paying his debts, however, he added new ones to the old and soon was in debt to nearly everybody on the island. To escape prison, he had himself taken in a barrel to one of the ships bound for Darien, where he was stored among the provisions as salt beef.

BALBOA BEING CARRIED ON BOAKD IN A BAKKEI.

The young man was bold, hardy, and reckless, but also intelligent, kind-hearted, and unselfish. He was wont to do everything in a generous, dashing manner. Do you wonder that he soon became a great favorite among the sailors? He skillfully piloted the ships to the shores of Darien and landed them in a favorable place. Some stray explorers from other points on the coast joined the newcomers and a httle colony was started. Among those who thus joined the party was Pizarro, who later became famous as the conqueror of Peru.

The commander soon found himself unable to govern his band of restless adventurers and was glad to return to

DISCOVERY OF THE PACIFIC 55

Haiti. The colony promptly chose Balboa as its leader. Balboa was anxious to surprise his King with the first gold from Darien. So one day he sent his faithful friend Pizarro, with six companions, to explore what was said to be a very rich gold region. The little band were soon fiercely attacked by some Indians. They defended themselves manfully but were finally obliged to flee for their lives, and, worst of all, leave a wounded man behind.

"What an unheard-of shame!" exclaimed Balboa angrily. "Must it be said of a Spaniard that he left a poor wounded comrade in the hands of savages?"

"No ! No ! It shall not be !" replied Pizarro. Hastening back to the scene of the attack, he soon returned safe with his wounded friend.

On one of his explorations, Balboa visited a certain powerful Indian chief who commanded thousands of warriors. His village lay at the foot of a high mountain in a vast, beautiful plain. When told that the Spaniards were approaching, the chieftain, attended by his five sons and throngs of devoted people, hastened to welcome them.

Balboa and his companions were royally served and made to feel quite at home. What surprised them most of all was the house of the chief. It was very skillfully built of wood and was eighty feet wide and one hundred fifty feet long. In it were a great many large chambers. Some of these served as store rooms and were filled with bread, venison, and various drinks made of maize and roots. In a spacious hall were preserved the bodies of the chief's dead relatives. These had been dried, richly dressed, and adorned with gold and precious stones. They hung all along the walls and the Indians regarded them with religious veneration.

The chief's eldest son, a bright, generous young man, gave Balboa a large quantity of gold. "Here is our first gold from Darien," said the delighted Balboa. "I shall at once weigh out one-fifth of it to our King, and then divide the remainder among us." The Spaniards immediately fell to quarreling, each one fearing that he might get less than the others. The dusky young brave did not know the value of gold and could not understand why these white people should quarrel about such a trifle. Disgusted, he

INDIAN VlLLAtili IN IIAKIEN struck the scales a blow with his hand, scattering the glittering treasure all about the place.

"Spaniards, you are foolish," said he. "You have left your peaceful homes to come and disturb ours ; you are exposing yourselves to great dangers and sufferings — all for only these yellow kernels and lumps of earth. But if this yellow stuff is really so precious in your eyes, I can tell you where to find an abundance of it."

"Where? Where? Tell us quickly!" cried the eager gold-hunters.

"Do you see those lofty mountains?" asked the young chief, pointing to the south. "From the highest of those

DISCOVERY OF THE PACIFIC 57

peaks, you can see a mighty water. The streams that flow down into it ghtter with gold, and the chieftains who live on its shores eat and drink from golden vessels."

Balboa could scarcely believe his ears. "A mighty water? — It must be the sea that bounds the shores of China, Japan, and the Indies !" He was most impatient to start out at once in search of that mighty water.

But before leaving the prosperous Indian village, he saw the chief, his sons, and many of his people instructed and received into the Church. The ruler was given the name Carlos when baptised in honor of St. Charles and in compliment to the youthful prince of Spain.

Balboa now chose about two hundred hardy men, who were willing to follow him to the ends of the earth. A number cf Indians also joined the party. The chief told Balboa that he would need at least one thousand men. "For," said he, "you will meet with powerful Indian tribes, many of whom are fierce and cruel cannibals."

"We have not a sufficient number of men," said Balboa, "so let us take along a number of blood-hounds instead." And patting the head of his own faithful hound, he declared, "This animal is as good as the best bodyguard to me." In truth, the hound never left his master and the Indians so feared the dog that they fled at his very appearance.

The fearless party pushed on toward the lofty mountains pointed out by the young Indian chief. The way sometimes led through dense and tangled forests. Countless monkeys chattered in the branches of the trees. Brightly colored parrots screeched and scolded at them from among the flowers and bushes. Ugly snakes lay hissing across their path.

Sometimes they struggled up a rugged mountain only to slide down an awful precipice on the opposite side. Deep and rapid rivers had to be crossed in frail boats or on trembling bridges. And many a weary traveler sank dead beneath the scorching rays of the tropical sun. Again, the explorers met bands of yelling and howling Indians armed with slings and war-clubs. But these savages always fled in terror as soon as the Spaniards fired upon them or let loose their blood-hounds. Only men of iron strength and will could have endured and overcome the difficulties which thus met Balboa and his companions at every step.

After traveling for twenty days, the exploring party at length came to the foot of a peak from which, their Indian guides told them, the great ocean might be seen. Balboa could scarcely control his feelings. He climbed alone to the top of the mountain, which he reached September 25, 1513. — And what did he see? Below him were rocky cliffs and dense forests and green plains and rushing streams. — Not the promised water? Ah! Yes! Far in the distance it glittered in the morning sun and stretched south and west as far as the eye could reach. Balboa was speechless with joy. Stretching out both arms toward the mighty expanse of water, he knelt upon the bare peak and with streaming tears thanked Heaven for being the first white man to look upon the new water.

He then beckoned to his companions who hastily ascended the mountain. Balboa pointed to the great water and exclaimed, "Behold, my faithful companions ! Behold that mighty sea ! Behold the reward for all my toils ! You shall all share in the glory of all that is or will be here discovered, conquered, and won over to God. Let us raise our voices to Heaven in praise and thanksgiving."

The sturdy adventurers gave vent to their feelings in a powerful Te Deum. Can you imagine a grander scene? How the mountain-tops must have echoed and re-echoed that glorious hymn of thanksgiving! Do you not think

DISCOVERY OF THE PACIFIC 59

that God and His holy angels looked with pleasure upon that lofty peak in Darien ?

Gazing far away over the seemingly endless water, Balboa exclaimed: "How happy King Ferdinand will be when he is told of this wonderful discovery ! In his name I take possession of the ocean, islands, and surrounding country." A huge cross was firmly planted and the name of the sovereign of Spain

cut into the trunks of great " ~ ~ ~~ n

trees. / .^

With shouts of joy and ex- S - '

ultation, the explorers then descended the seaward slope of the mountain. After four days they reached the shore of the great water. A wide ; bay extended to the horizon.

Balboa called it the Gulf of St. Michael in honor of the feast of the day. The great '^-^^'^^^^ ''tlT..T.fr^^''''' ""^ new water was some time

later named the South Sea because it lay to the south of Darien. The tide was out, but it soon returned, rolling and surging about the explorers until they stood knee-deep in water. Then, raising a sword in one hand and a banner of the Blessed Virgin in the other, Balboa again took possession of the sea and all that was in it for Spain. Three crosses were cut into the trunks of huge trees growing near by. These three crosses were to tell all who came thither that the great water had been discovered and claimed in honor of the Holy Trinity. Balboa promptly sent the news of his great discovery to Spain. We are told that even at that early time he thought of a canal across the Isthmus of Panama.

Like Columbus, Balboa too had his enemies, jealous and narrow-minded men. Foremost among these was the new governor sent from Spain to succeed Balboa. This man accused our hero of being an intended rebel. On this false charge he had the young man beheaded.

Balboa died like a true Catholic hero. After having devoutly received the holy sacraments of Penance and Communion, he ascended the scaffold with a manly step, knelt, and calmly laid his head upon the block. One moment only, and the illustrious discoverer of the Pacific had yielded his soul to God.

2. THE FIRST VOYAGE AROUND THE WORLD

Part One. Magellan Is Bound for the Spice Islands BY a Westward Route

Columbus discovered what he thought was India; and Balboa discovered what he believed to be a new sea. In his mind, this new sea was merely a large gulf or bay washing the shores of India ; for America seemed to him, as it did to many others of that time, merely a breakwater to protect the rich shores of India against the wind and the waves. We know, however, that Balboa had discovered the largest of the five oceans, the mighty Pacific. But how did we come to this knowledge?

Five years after Balboa had raised the cross on Darien to watch, as it were, over the great new water, a famous Portuguese stood at the door of the royal castle of Spain asking to see the King. The eighteen-year-old grandson of Ferdinand and Isabella, known as Charles I of Spain, received him.

''What is it that brings you to the court of Spain, Ferdinand Magellan?" asked the young King. "How can Portugal spare so brave a soldier and so great a sailor ?"

"I came," said the fiery-eyed Magellan, "to offer you my services for which the King of Portugal no longer cares."

"I understand," said the King, "but how do you mean to serve me?"

"You know, noble King, that since Da Gama has found a water route by way of the Cape of Good Hope to India, Portugal is growing rich from her trade with the East. I have been in the Indies for many years and know what great wealth can be gotten by buying spices from the natives of the Moluccas, or Spice Islands."

"I am well aware of all this, Magellan, but Spain cannot expect to enter upon a trade over a route and in lands that are claimed by Portugal."

"You are mistaken, noble King," said Magellan. "See this globe made by the learned men of my country.

Here, west of the Cape Verde Islands, is the Line of Demarcation, fixed by Pope Alexander VI. This line extends from the north pole to the south pole. As you well know, all the newly-discovered lands in the hemisphere east of this line are Portuguese possessions and all the newly-found lands in the half -world west of this line are Spanish possessions. You will note that the Spice Islands lie within the Spanish half of the world. Now my plan is this: If you will give me ships and men, I will find you a route to the Spice Islands which will not interfere with the route now followed by Portugal."

FERDINAND MAGELLAN

"My grand-parents, King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella, thought that the voyage of Columbus had found for Spain this westward route to the Spice Islands."

"Yes, I know, but Columbus did not go far enough west. I shall finish what he began. I believe that the American continent extends south somewhat like Africa. Hence, I will follow its coast southward until I can sail around a cape like that of Good Hope into the South Sea, discovered by Balboa. In that sea must lie the Moluccas, or Spice Islands. And to prove that I have opened the way to the Moluccas, I shall bring back such loads of cloves and ginger and pepper and nutmeg and camphor and opium as never yet entered any Spanish port."

According to Magellan's globe the Moluccas did lie in the Spanish half of the world. We, however, know from the globes of the present day that these islands were at that time on the Portuguese side of the dividing line.

As it was, the King was delighted with Magellan's ideas and plans. "You may have the ships and the men for the asking, my good Magellan," said he. "But I pray you, make haste and lose no time. You may be sure, the King of Portugal will not be willing to have one of the bravest of his mariners show Spain the way to the rich store of spices in the Moluccas, which, since the golden days of Genoa and Venice, only Portugal has enjoyed. He may send out his men to waylay and carry you back home."

Does it not seem strange that Spain and Portugal and other commercial nations of those days were so eager to trade in spices? We, too, enjoy the spices for the flavor they give, but they are not such sources of wealth to us as they were to Europeans at the time. The reason is quite simple. In our day meat and other food-stuffs can be speedily carried from one place to another while still fresh. In those times this could not be done, and the people either kept their food from spoiUng, or made salted meats and partly spoiled foods taste better by the use of spices. They greatly relished savory herbs, fruits, nuts, seeds, rinds, barks, and roots, which they ground into powder and sifted on their choice dishes. A seat at mealtime near the spice-box was the seat of honor. Some of these spices were also thought to possess healing properties and were used as remedies against pains and diseases.

MAGELLAN'S FLEET

To supply this great demand for spices, cloves, ginger, allspice, nutmeg, pepper, cinnamon, opium, camphor, vanilla, and many other aromatic products, some with names too hard to remember, were secured from the Indies and sold in the European markets at high prices. In truth, the spices of India were more eagerly coveted than were its silks and gold and precious stones.

Magellan set about in good earnest getting ready for his voyage to the Spice Islands. Five ships were easily secured. They were named San Antonio, Concepcion, Victoria, Santiago, and Trinidad. The last mentioned was Magellan's flagship. Though much better than Columbus's ships, these vessels were, nevertheless, small, old, and not at all fit for a long voyage. A goodly supply of provisions was stored away in the holds of the vessels.

"The natives of the Moluccas," said Magellan, "will not give their costly spices for money, but they will load us with them for mere shining trinkets."

Therefore, instead of filling his purse with money, this wise sea captain took with him enormous quantities of bright-colored cloth, small looking-glasses, scissors, knives, fish-hooks, and many kinds of glittering brass trinkets; and no less than five hundred pounds of glass beads and twenty thousand little bells.

Magellan was at last prepared to start out upon his wondrous journey. After having devoutly assisted at High Mass in the church of St. Mary of Victory in Seville, he and his crew of nearly three hundred men boarded their ships, and sailed down the river to the port of San Lucar. From here the brave voyagers put out to sea on September 20, 1519.

For two long months they steered southwest. At one time there would be scarcely any wind to drive the ships along. Then again the wind and waves would become so violent that the frail little vessels were in great danger of being dashed to pieces. At length, however, the mariners reached the most easterly point of South America. From here they followed the coast southward, entering each large bay with the hope that it might be a passage to the great ocean on the west.

But the farther south they went the colder the weather became, and the more violent and constant were the storms. On the last day of March the little fleet finally sought safety in a sheltered bay, now Port St. Julian. Fish and birds, and wood for fire being plentiful here, Magellan decided to stay until spring. Spring in this latitude, however, could scarcely be expected before August or September.

Imagine what this long, lonely stay of nearly five months in a frigid climate meant for the sailors. As it was, a number of them had been prejudiced against Magellan by some wily Portuguese, even before leaving Spain. The difficulties and long duration of the voyage had sorely tried their patience, and their commander had often suffered much from their insolent behavior. But the idea of spending the winter at Port St. Julian, doing nothing, was more than they could bear. They began to murmur and complain loudly.

"No one has ever gone farther south than this," said they. "To be sure, the land stretches from the north pole to the south pole, and if no one has found a strait it is undoubtedly because there is none to be found. Our lives are worth more to us than all the spices of the Moluccas. Let us return home."

But Magellan, who had so often encouraged his men and calmed their fears, now declared, kindly though firmly, that he would never turn back, but go right on until he should find either a strait or the end of the continent. "Then," said he, "we can push on to the land of spices. Would you have it said in Spain that we were cold and afraid, and so came home without having found that which we went out to seek?"

The leader's words this time fell upon deaf ears. For his worst enemies were the captains of the ships. These had led the sailors to distrust him. "This Magellan," said they, "is a Portuguese. How richly his Portuguese King would reward him if he should lead these five Spanish crews into destruction! We can well take care of this fleet ourselves. It will be an easy task to attack the Trinidad and kill Magellan. Then we shall be free to do as we choose — continue our way or return home."

Only too well did the treacherous sea captains succeed in winning over the crews to their own vicious views. On the second day after putting into Port St. Julian, a little boat of the Trinidad happened to come near the San Antonio. It was told curtly to keep away since the San Antonio sailors no longer acknowledged Magellan as their commander. Magellan promptly sent the boat to each of the remaining ships as a test and thus learned the sad truth that only the Santiago besides his own crew had remained faithful to him.

Little, however, did the rebellious sea captains know the man with whom they were thus dealing. They had learned to know him as a man who despised hardships and laughed at dangers. They had often been appeased by his kind dealings and winning manners ; they had also felt the effects of his iron will-power. But they were now to meet with a startling surprise. With the suddenness of a flash of lightning, a band of Magellan's trusty men leaped and rushed on board the Victoria, killed the obstinate captain, and so frightened the crew that they surrendered without delay.

The combined crews of the three faithful ships then surprised and subdued the San Antonio in a similar manner. The Concepcion was now glad to plead for mercy. Thus the mutiny was promptly quelled and the company was satisfied to settle down snugly in their boats for the winter.