as I could, for they were no longer useful as sails, but as

canvas only.

But that which comforted me more still was, that last of all, after I had made five or six such voyages as these, and thought I had nothing more to expect from the ship that was worth my meddling with; I say after all this, I found a great hogshead of bread, a box of sugar, and a barrel of fine flour; this was surprising to me, because I had given over expecting any more provisions, except what was spoiled by water. I soon emptied the hogshead of bread, and wrapped it up, parcel by parcel, in pieces of the sails, which I cut out; and, in a word, I brought all this safe on shore also.

The next day I made another voyage, and now, having plundered the ship of all that was portable and fit to hand out, I began with the cables; cutting the great cable into pieces such as I could move. I brought two cables and a hawser on shore, with all the iron work I could find, and, having cut down the spritsail yard, and the mizzen yard, and everything I could to make a large raft, I loaded it with all these heavy goods and came away. But my good luck now began to leave me, for this raft was so unwieldy and so overladen that, after I had entered the little cove where I had landed the rest of my goods, not being able to guide it so handily as I did the other, it overset, and threw me and all my cargo into the water. As for myself, it was no great harm, for I was near the shore; but as to my cargo, it was a great part of it lost, especially the iron, which I thought would have been of great use to me. However, when the tide was out, I got most of the pieces of cable ashore and some of the iron, though with infinite

labor, for I had to dive for it into the water, a work which fatigued me very much. After this, I went every day on board and brought away what I could get.

I had now been thirteen days on shore, and had been eleven times on board the ship, in which time I had brought away all that one pair of hands could well be supposed capable of bringing; though I believe, verily, had the calm weather held, I should have brought away the whole ship, piece by piece; but preparing the twelfth time to go on board, I found the wind began to rise. However, I went on board at low water, and though I thought I had rummaged the cabin so effectually that nothing more could be found, I discovered a locker with drawers in it, in one of which I found two or three razors and one pair of large scissors, with ten or a dozen good knives and forks; in another locker I found about thirty-six pounds' value in money.

I smiled to myself at the sight of money. said I aloud, "what art thou good for?

worth to me, no, not the taking off the

"Oh, drug!

Thou art not

ground. One

of those knives is worth the whole heap. I have no manner of use for thee !"

THE DISCOVERY OF AMERICA

ROBERT MACKENZIE

Robert Mackenzie was born in Scotland, near Dundee, in 1823. He was a large linen manufacturer, but wrote history, his most important work being a history of America, published in 1870.

IT was late in the history of the world before Europe

and America became known to each other.

During

the first fifteen centuries of the Christian Era, Europe was unaware of the vast continent which lay beyond the sea. Asia had ceased to influence her. Africa had not begun. Her history was waiting for the mighty influence which America was to exercise in her affairs through all the future ages.

Men had been slow to establish completely their dominion over the sea. They had learned very early to build ships. They availed themselves very early of the surprising power which the helm exercises over the movements of a ship. But, during many ages they found no surer guidance upon the pathless sea than that which the position of the sun and the stars afforded. When clouds intervened to deprive them of this uncertain direction they were helpless. They were thus obliged to keep the land in view, and content themselves with creeping timidly along the coast.

But at length there was discovered a stone which the wise Creator had endowed with strange properties. It was observed that a needle brought once in contact with that stone pointed ever afterward steadfastly to the north. Men saw that with a needle thus influenced they could guide themselves at sea as surely as on land. The mariner's compass untied the bond which held sailors to the coast, and gave them liberty to push out into the

sea.

Just when sailors were slowly learning to put confidence in the mariner's compass there arose in Europe a vehement desire for the discovery of unknown countries. A sudden interest sprung up in all that was distant and unexplored. The strange fables told by travelers were greedily

received. The human mind was beginning to cast off the torpor of the Middle Ages. As intelligence increased, men became increasingly eager to ascertain the form and extent of the world in which they dwelt, and to acquaint themselves with those unknown races who were their fellow inhabitants.

Portugal and Spain, looking out upon the boundless sea, were powerfully stirred by the new impulse. The courts of Lisbon and Madrid swarmed with adventurers who had made discoveries, or who wished the means to make them. Conspicuous among these was an enthusiast, who, during eighteen years, had not ceased to importune incredulous monarchs for ships and men that he might open up the secrets of the sea.

He was a tall man, of grave and gentle manners, and noble though saddened look. His eye was gray, “apt to enkindle" when he spoke of those discoveries in the making of which he felt himself to be Heaven's chosen agent. He had known hardship and sorrow in his youth, and at thirty his hair was white. He was the son of a Genoese wool comber, and his name was Christopher Columbus. In him the universal passion for discovery rose to the dignity of an inspiration.

No sailor of our time would cross the Atlantic in such

ships as were given to Columbus. In size they resembled the smaller of our river and coasting vessels. Only one of them was decked. The other ships were open, save at the prow and stern, where cabins were built for the

crew.

com

The sailors went unwillingly and in much fear pelled by an order from the king. With such ships and

-

such men Columbus left the land behind him and pushed out into these unknown waters. To him there were no dangers, no difficulties God, who had chosen him to do this work, would sustain him for its accomplishment. He sailed on the 3d of August, 1492. On the 12th of October, in the dim light of early morning, he gazed out from the deck of his little ship upon the shores of a new world. His victory was gained; his work was done. How great it was he himself never knew.

He died in the belief that he had merely discovered a short route to India.

He never enjoyed that which would have been the best recompense for all his toil—the knowledge that he had added a vast continent to the possessions of civilized men.

The revelation by Columbus of the amazing fact that there were lands beyond the great ocean, inhabited by strange races of human beings, roused to a passionate eagerness the thirst for fresh discoveries. The splendors of the newly-found world were indeed difficult to be resisted.

Wealth beyond the wildest dreams of avarice could be had, it was said, for the gathering. The sands of every river sparkled with gold. The very color of the ground showed that gold was profusely abundant. The meanest of the Indians ornamented himself with gold and jewels. The walls of the houses glittered with pearls. There was a fountain, if one might but find it, whose waters bestowed perpetual youth upon the bather. The wildest romances were greedily received, and the Old World, with its familiar and painful realities, seemed mean and hateful beside the fabled glories of the New.