than the preceding one. It was not, however, until after the voyage of Columbus, that any of the Portuguese vessels succeeded in reaching the Cape of Good Hope, and passing around it into the Indian Ocean (1497).

II. Ideas and plan of Columbus.-Columbus believed that the shortest way was to cross the Atlantic Ocean; for, while he knew that the earth was round, he did not know its size, and therefore had the idea that the shores of Asia were on the other side of that ocean, being, of course, ignorant of the fact that a great continent lay between Asia and Europe. He felt sure he was right; and that, if he could obtain the aid he required in order to supply himself with ships and other necessary things for a long voyage, he should make great discoveries.

12. How his plan was received.--Most of those to whom he spoke of his plan, laughed at it. The idea that there could be people on the other side of the earth, walking with their heads downward, seemed to them absurd. Some thought that, since the earth is round, a ship, in going a long way across the ocean, would be sailing down hill, and that it could never return. Others spoke of terrific monsters living in the regions beyond the great sea. Few sailors could be persuaded to think of such a voyage.

13. Why Columbus was confident.-But Columbus was too wise and brave to have any such notions and fears. He was confident that beyond the great sea there existed lands which were inhabited by human beings. Indeed, he

11. What did Columbus believe was the best way to reach India? Why? 12. How was his plan received? What was thought of it? 13. What made Columbus feel sure that he was right?

COLUMBUS APPEARED BEFORE THE COUNCIL OF SALAMANCA TO EXPLAIN HIS PLANS.

THIS LEARNED BODY CONSIDERED HIS PROJECT VISIONARY, AND REFUSED TO FURTHER IT.

knew that pieces of carved wood, and even human bodies had been borne by westerly winds across the ocean, and thrown by the waves upon the shores of the islands called the Azores (a-zors'), the most westerly land then known.

14. How the King of Portugal treated him. The King of Portugal was the first monarch from whom he asked the assistance he needed; but this monarch was mean and dishonest. After hearing the views of Columbus, he secretly sent out a ship to make the discovery, and thus obtain all the honor and profit for himself; but the Portuguese captain, after sailing some time without seeing any glimpse of land, returned, and reported that Columbus was mistaken.

15. From whom he obtained aid.-Columbus had previously made proposals to his native city, Genoa, but without success. From Portugal he went to Spain, and petitioned Ferdinand and Isabella, who reigned over that country, to undertake the enterprise. For a long time

his efforts to convince them of the truth of his views were unsuccessful; but finally, when he told the good and pious Queen Isabella of all the lands which he expected to discover, and the heathen people who were to be converted to Christianity, she became deeply interested in the plan, and offered to pawn her jewels to obtain the money needed to procure the ships, men, and provisions, required to carry it into effect.

16. Sailing of Columbus.-At last, aided by Isabella, the preparations for the voyage were completed. With three small ships and about ninety sailors, Columbus set out from

14. To whom did he first apply for aid? What did the King of Portugal do? 15. To whom did he next apply? What induced Isabella to offer him aid? 16. How and when did he sail? From what port? What appointment had he received?

a port in the southern part of Spain called Palos (pah'-loce) (August 3, 1492), after he had spent about twenty years in arranging his plans and getting the aid needed to carry

covering land. They saw nothing but the vast ocean all around them. Then the sailors became alarmed, and resolved they would go no farther. They even threatened to throw their brave admiral into the sea. But Columbus remained firm; he persuaded, entreated, and threatened by turns, the mutinous men; and finally told them that if in a few days he did not find land, he would return.

18. Discovery of land.-Soon, however, the signs that they were approaching land became very numerous. Birds were seen, fresh branches of trees floated near them, and the wind wafted the fragrance of flowers and foliage to the ships. At length, about ten o'clock on the night of October

17. What were the chief incidents of the voyage? How did he quiet the mutinous sailors? 18. What signs of land became visible? When was land discovered?