Page:Columbus and other heroes of American discovery; (IA columbusotherher00bell).pdf/17



CHAPTER I.

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. 7

CHAPTER II.

The Spanish in the Gulf of Mexico—Vasco Nuñez 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, Retreat, 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 burned alive—A native Princess—At the foot of the Apalachian Mountains—Southward 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 Muscoso de Alvarado—Murder of Louis Cancello, the Missionary—Expedition of De Luna. 30