CONTENTS
| WINSOR, JUSTIN | |
| [Columbus Discovers America] | |
Embarks at Palos, August 3, 1492. A mishap befalls thePinta. Sees the Peak of Teneriffe in eruption. Arrives atthe Canaries. Falsifies his reckoning to conceal from his crewthe length of the voyage. On September 13th his compass pointsto the true north, a fact without precedent. Next day a waterwagtail is seen, betokening an approach to land. Two pelicansalight on board, with the same significance. These promisesfail, and the crew becomes disheartened and discontented. OnOctober 11th Columbus sees a light, presumably on shore: fourhours later, next day, land is descried and named by ColumbusSan Salvador. Discussion as to where this place is: thebalance of probability inclines to Watling's Island. | [3] |
| LEWIS AND CLARKE | |
| [Arrival at the Pacific Ocean, 1805] | |
Descent of the last rapid of the Columbia River, November 2. Afeast of wappatoo root. Meet unfriendly Indians. Observe MountSt. Helen, of Vancouver, about ninety miles off. The countryfertile and delightful, abounding with game. The ocean suddenlyappears. Rough weather and its effects. Friendly Indians bringfood. Rain ruins merchandise, clothing and food. ThievishIndians are withstood. The journey comes successfully to anend. | [29] |
| PIKE, ZEBULON M. | |
| [The Sources of the Mississippi, 1806] | |
Meets friendly Indians and whites. A serious fire. Deep snowinflicts severe hardship. A trackless journey ends in safetyand a hospitable welcome. Provisions exorbitant in price. Amarch on snowshoes. Sleds of native pattern are made. Delaythrough water on the ice. Bitter cold and the curse of solitude.A dismal swamp. Unfriendly Indians and the purchasing powerof whiskey. The main source of the Mississippi comes intoview. Disabled by excessive exertion. Hoists the flag. Visitsof Indian chiefs. | [55] |
| WILKES, CHARLES | |
| [Manila in 1842] | |
Character of the city Spanish and Oriental: numerous canals. Astrange and motley population, the artisans for the most partChinese. Malays and Chinese live apart. Much evidence ofvolcanic activity in the Philippines. Natural resourcesabundant. Primitive tools cause much waste of labour. Thebuffalo as a draught animal. Rice the staple diet: defectivemode of culture. Hemp, its growth and manufacture. Crops ofcoffee, sugar and cotton. The ravages of locusts. Geography ofthe country and the diverse elements of its population. Itsarmy of about 6,000. Frequent rebellions among the troops andtribes. Iron rule of the Government. The market-place a sceneof unending interest. Excellent poultry. The environs ofManila delightful. | [71] |
| KING, CLARENCE | |
| [The Ascent of Mount Tyndall] | |
An eight hours' climb over ridges of granite and snow. “Shallwe ascend Mount Tyndall?” “Why not?” At first ProfessorBrewer believes the attempt madness, but yields consent atlast. The climb begins and steadily increases in difficulty. Agulf of 5,000 feet in depth. A night's lodging in a granitecrevice. Rocks of many tons strike near. The galling painof heavy burdens. A profound chasm is crossed on a rope.Exhilaration of utmost peril. A small bush ensures salvation.A welcome stretch of trees and flowers. A spire, all butperpendicular, of rock and ice is surmounted, and at last isreached the crest of Mount Tyndall. | [97] |
| POWELL, JOHN WESLEY | |
| [The Grand Cañon of the Colorado Is Explored] | |
Embarkation under cliffs 4,000 feet high. A swift run ends ina descent of eighty feet in one-third of a mile. Breakersrender a boat unmanageable. Walls more than a mile high. Thebaffling waters capsize a boat. Relics of ancient dwelling-places.Rations destroyed by wet. Clothing lost and blankets scarce.Grand views not fully enjoyed. A wild run through ten milesof rapids. In places the rocks so cut by water that it isimpossible to see overhead. Great amphitheatres, half-domeshaped. Mammoth springs of lime-laden waters. An ancientlava-bed channelled out. Stolen squashes provide a feast.Difficulties thicken: is it wise to go on? Three of the partysay no, the remainder proceed. All but lost in a whirlpool.Emergence from the Grand Cañon in safety and joy. | [131] |
EXPLORERS
COLUMBUS DISCOVERS AMERICA
Justin Winsor
[Part of Chapter IX., “The Final Agreement and the First Voyage” from “Christopher Columbus and How He Received and Imparted the Spirit of Discovery,” copyright by Houghton, Mifflin & Co., Boston and New York, 1892.]