meanly and let him die in poverty and neglect. What a shame that the man who had found a new world for Spain should have been left by her selfish king to suffer in his old age!

America's Name.-Was the New World named after its discoverer? Among the many explorers who followed Columbus was Americus Vespucius, an Italian. The stories of his voyages were printed and read by many persons. In one account Vespucius declared that what we call South America was not a part of Asia. Columbus, as you know, believed that the land he had discovered was a part of Asia.

In 1507 a German professor published a geography in which he suggested that the new world discovered by Americus Vespucius be named "America" in his honor. The professor did not know of Columbus' earlier discovery. The name thus given to the New World has remained.

Americans will always be proud of Columbus, the Italian discoverer whose courage and perseverance led him to cross the Atlantic and add America to the known world. He was the greatest discoverer the world has produced. When he started on his long voyage, his friends feared that he would be lost at sea. But because Columbus knew no fear and sailed on and on after his ideal, the New World of America was made known to the Old World of Europe, Asia, and Africa. The sons and daughters of every other country under the sun have since crossed the wide oceans to find new homes in this new land.

In the United States we celebrate October 12th as Columbus Day in honor of this great and fearless dis

coverer.

1. When did the real history of America begin? 2. Before that time what did the inhabitants of Europe know

about other countries?

3. Who was Marco Polo and what did he do?

4. How did Europeans happen to discover America?

5. Why were they anxious to find a new route to India?

6. What trade routes were used before 1453?

7. What happened in 1453 ?

8. How did this affect trade with India?

9. How did the King of Portugal think that ships could reach India?

10. Why did he fail to reach India?

11. What did Christopher Columbus believe about a route to

that land?

12. What did the people of his time believe about the shape of the earth?

13. What was Columbus' belief?

14. How did Columbus try to get help? Did he succeed? Who helped him?

15. Describe his voyage.

16. When did Columbus discover America?

17. What part of America did he discover? 18. What did he call the people he found? 19. Describe his return to Spain.

20. How was Columbus rewarded?

21. How did America receive its name?

22. How do Americans feel toward Columbus and why?

23. What holiday do we celebrate because of Columbus' discovery? What is its date?

CHAPTER 11

EARLY SPANISH EXPLORERS

Spanish Adventurers.-Although Columbus had not discovered gold mines, the people of Spain believed they could find them. Many sailed to the New World hoping to become rich quickly. The large islands of Haiti, Cuba, Porto Rico, and some others were soon settled by these adventurers.

Balboa.-One bold adventurer was Vasco Balboa, born in 1475. While yet in his youth, he joined an expedition to the New World, where he soon became a leader among the early Spanish settlers. His wanderings finally led him into a search for gold on the Isthmus of Panama. There he learned from the natives that he was crossing a narrow strip of land. Beyond this, he was told, lay a great body of water.

Early in September, 1513, Balboa set out in search of this water. He was guided by trusty Indians and accompanied by a small band of his own men. To reach the mountains from the top of which they could view the western ocean, Balboa and his party were obliged to make their way through a very dense forest, a most dangerous journey.

Three weeks later, on September 29th, Balboa looked down upon the vast Pacific Ocean which lies west of America. He was the first white man to behold this great sight. Climbing down the other side of the mountain, he made his way to the shore. There he struck the water with his sword and claimed the ocean and all the lands

washed by its waters as the property of the kingdom of Spain.

Ponce de Leon.-In the year 1513 Juan Ponce de Leon, another Spanish adventurer, went to the mainland from Porto Rico. He had been appointed governor of that island, but he was not successful, and the king removed him from office. An Indian told him that toward the north lay a land where he could find much gold and a fountain that would make him young again if he bathed in its waters. With three ships he set sail for this marvelous country. He searched many islands but found neither the promised riches nor the "Fountain of Youth.' But he did discover a land bright with flowers, which he named Florida, "Land of Flowers." After sailing for some distance along its shore, he sailed back to Porto Rico.

In 1521 Ponce de Leon went to Florida again, intending to make his home there. This time he had a fight with the Indians in which he was so badly wounded that he died.

De Narvaez.--In 1528 another Spaniard named Panfilo De Narvaez started with four hundred men to explore Florida. The Spaniards under Hernando Cortez had already conquered Mexico and found gold there, and they hoped to find more in the "Land of Flowers." They found nothing but swamps and forests, the huts of savage, unfriendly Indians, and sickness. Only four of them lived to tell the story of their misfortunes to their friends in Mexico.

De Soto.-In 1539 another company sailed for Florida from Cuba. Their leader was Hernando De Soto. He had six hundred men, two hundred horses, a herd of hogs for food, and bloodhounds to hunt the Indians. When he asked for gold, the Indians told him it was just ahead. He went on and on, stealing from the Indians, fighting