"Columbus stayed in Spain for seven long years. He tried to get some of the rich men of the country to listen to his plans and furnish money. It was all in vain.
"At last, just as he was leaving the country, some messengers came to him. They said: 'Queen Isabella wishes to talk with you once more. She would like to help you.'
"How gladly Columbus turned back! He found the queen had such faith in him that she was even willing to sell her beautiful jewels, if necessary, for the sake of giving him money.
"He set to work at once to get a fleet ready. Three ships were chosen. Their bows and sterns were built high up out of the water. They were very different from the ships of to-day. Provisions to last a whole year were stowed away in them.
"It was not as easy to find sailors as it was to get the ships."
"I don't see why," interrupted Joe. "I should think there would have been plenty of men eager to go."
"Not so, my lad," replied Uncle Sam. "Only the boldest men would dare to sail far into the west at that time. The people of those days were full of queer fancies. They thought they would come to enchanted islands and great dragons and all sorts of fearful things if they went far away from home.
"At last, however, enough sailors promised to go and the great day came for the ships to set sail. How excited everyone was! Would these men ever come back to the shores of Spain? Would they really find India, or was it only the dream of a very bold man?
"The wharves were covered with people who had gathered to see the ships start on their daring voyage.