This Country of Ours

ward. For it was from the east that all the trade and the riches came in those days. To India and to far Cathay sailed the merchant

low down any vessel that might venture near. An enormous bird also hovered in the skies waiting to pounce upon vessels and bear them away to some unknown eyrie. Even if any foolhardy adventurers should defy these dangers, and escape the horror of the dragons and the bird, other perils

dangers, said the ignorant people of those days, threatened the rash sailors who should attempt to sail upon the Sea of Darkness. So it was not wonderful

and infidel pirates swarmed in the Indian Ocean and Mediterranean until no Christian vessel was safe. At every step Christian traders foun

them had begun to disbelieve the tales of dragons and fiery pits. The world was round, said wise

ailing west to reach India, the more he believed in it, and the more he longed to set out. But without a great deal of money such an expedit

d so much to encourage voyages of discovery that he was called Henry the Navigator. And although he was by this time dead, the people still took gr

ny answer he said that he must consult his wise men. These wise men looked upon the whole idea of

mbus he meanly resolved to send out an expedition of his own. This he did, and when Columbus heard of it he was so angry that he left Portugal, which for m

towards Spain. Bartholomew, however, reached England in an evil hour for his quest. For Henry VII had but newly wrested the crown from Richard III, and so had no thought to spare for unknown lands. Christopher also arrived in Spain at an unfortunate time. For the Spani

he did not despair. As the court moved from place to place he followed it, hoping always that the

selling maps. To the common people he seemed a madman, and as he passed through the stree

Indeed it burned in him so strongly that at length he made others

bella to listen again to what Columbus had to say. To this the Queen consented, and when she heard

rt still in the midst of rejoicings to celebrate victory. Among the light-hearted, gaily dressed throng there was no one who had a thought to spare for the melancholy, white-haired dreamer w

ey could not but believe in it. The day was won. Both King and Queen, but more especially the Queen, were willing to help the great enterprise. Now however Columbus himself all but wrecked his chances.

is death this honour should descend to his son and to his son's son for ever and ever. He also demanded a tenth p

beggar aspired to honour and dignities fit for a prince! It was absurd, and not to be thought

his heart, mounted his mule and turned his face towards the Court of France. All the seven long years during which he had w

t the Queen. In glowing words they painted to her the glory and the honour which would come to Spain if Columbus succeeded. And if he failed, why, what were a few thousand crowns, they as

himself, was money forthcoming for this mad scheme? Isabella, however, had done with prudence and caution. "If there is not money enoug

nce. But he only went a little way on his long journey. For just as he was entering a narrow pass

however, had nothing to dread: he carried with him neither gold nor jewels. He went forth from Spain a beggar, even as he had come. But if fear he had any

heart's desire. When, however, the messenger told him that the Queen herself bade him

and set forth westward. But now a new difficulty arose. For it was out upon the terri

n was brave enough to follow him to the unknown horrors of the Sea of Darkness. Therefore as entreaty and pers

l, and at length his three ships were ready. But it had taken many months. It was February when

There he humbly confessed his sins, received the Sacrament, and committed himself to God's all-powerful guidance. The crew, wild, roug

l to these daring adventurers. And as the ships spread their sails and sped forth in the morning light the people wept and lamented

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