CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

America known to the Ancients—The Island of Atlantis—Scandinavian Emigration—Eric the Red and Gunnbiorn—Bjarni Herjulfson and Leif the Lucky—Discovery of Vinland—Thorvald and the Skrællings—A terrible Struggle—An heroic Amazon—Retreat of the Danes—Return of Freydis to Vinland—Massacre of Colonists by her Orders—Total Disappearance of Scandinavian Settlement—Madoc of Wales—The Brothers Zeni—Marco Polo—Early Life of Columbus—The Astrolabe applied to Navigation—A Hearing at last—Duplicity of John II.—Columbus in Poverty and Exile—A generous Prior—Hope and Despair—Isabella is won over—Full Powers granted to Columbus—The Start from Saltos—Discontent of Sailors—Variation of Compass—Mutiny—Land Ahead!—Discovery of the West Indian Islands—Return to Spain—Second and Third Voyages—Death in Poverty and Disgrace—Amerigo Vespucci—The Cabots—First Landing in North America—The Cortereals—Breton Fishermen.

CHAPTER II.

The Spanish in the Gulf of Mexico—Vasco Nuñez de Balboa concealed in a Cask—His Pardon—Shipwreck and Rescue of Explorers by Balboa—His Discovery of the Pacific—His Murder by ♠Anias—Expedition of Ponce de Leon—The Discovery of Florida and Search for the Fountain of Youth—Leon’s Death from poisoned Arrows—Discovery of the Mouths of the Pacific by Francis Garay—Lucas Vasquez de Ayllon in Florida—His Cruelty to the Natives—Their Retaliation—Verrazano on the Atlantic coast of North America—The Invasion of Florida by Pamphilo de Narvaez—His Disappointment, Retreat, and Death—The Captivity and Escape of four of his Followers—The Expedition of Hernando de Soto—Meeting with Juan Ortiz—His romantic Story—An Indian burned alive—A native Princess—At the foot of the Apalachian Mountains—Southward to Mavilla—Struggle with Indians—Westward ho! and Discovery of the Mississippi—De Soto in a new Character—His Death and Burial in the Mississippi—Escape of his Men under his Successor, Luis ♦Moscoso de Alvarado—Murder of Louis Cancello, the Missionary—Expedition of De Luna.

CHAPTER III.

Verrazano sent out by Francis I.—Discovery of the Hudson—Jacques Cartier in Canada, and his Discovery of the St. Lawrence—Touching Scene at Hochelaga—Foundation of Fort Charles on the Site of Quebec—Kidnapping of Donnacona and other Natives, and return to Europe—Death of Indian Captives, and cold Reception at Hochelaga on the Return of Cartier without them—Break-up of the Colony and Flight of Cartier—Arrival of ♦Roberval—Sad Fate of his People—Ribault and the French Refugees on the River of May—Return home of Ribault—Assassination of Pierria—Escape of Colonists in a crazy Pinnace—Their Murder of a Comrade for Food—Their Rescue by an English Vessel—Laudonnière’s Colony on the May—Mutiny, and Troubles with the Indians—Famine, and Arrival of Ribault—Disgrace of Laudonnière—Arrival of Menendez—Massacre of French Huguenots by Spaniards—Escape of a little Remnant to Anastasia—Second and third Massacres—Gallant Bearing of Ribault—Foundation of St. Augustine—Vengeance of De Gourgues on the Spanish—Murder of Missionaries in Florida—St. Augustine burned by Drake.

CHAPTER IV.

Sir Humphrey Gilbert’s unsuccessful Voyages, and Death by Drowning—Sir Walter Raleigh’s Renewal of his Brother’s Patent—Grenville and others sent out to Virginia by Raleigh—First Settlement at Roanoake—Its Abandonment by White—Birth of Virginia Dare—Search for the lost Colony—Death of Bartholomew Gilbert—Gosnold’s Expedition—Formation of the Southern and Northern Companies—Failure of the Latter to gain a Footing in Maine—Arrival in Chesapeake Bay of Colonists sent out by the Southern Company—Foundation of Jamestown—Smith’s Visit to the Potomac—His Captivity among the Indians and Rescue from Death by Pocahontas—Smith chosen President—The Coronation of Powhatan—A new Charter obtained—Emigrants shipwreck—Smith wounded, and compelled to leave Virginia—Subsequent Troubles—Arrival of Sir Thomas Gates—The Colony reduced to sixty starving Men and Women—Jamestown abandoned—Arrival of Lord De La Warre—Return to Jamestown—Marriage and Death of Pocahontas—Gradual Growth of Virginia—Terrible Massacre of 1622, and the Results of that Massacre—Arrival of Lord Baltimore in Jamestown—First Settlement of Maryland—Father White.

CHAPTER V.

The French in Maine, and their Settlement at Port Royal—Jesuit Missionaries at Grand Manan—Destruction of French Colonies by Argall—John Smith and Thomas Hunt on the Coasts of Maine—Vines on the Saco River, and Dermer on Long Island—Early History of the Pilgrim Fathers—Arrival of the Mayflower off Cape Cod—Preliminary Exploration by Miles Standish—Discovery of Plymouth Harbor, and first Landing on Plymouth Rock—An Indian Visitor—Arrival of fresh Emigrants—Complications with them and with the Indians—An Indian Chief saved by Englishmen—Indian Plot revealed—Ringleaders slain by Standish—Puritan Refugees at Cape Ann—Standish sent out against them—Peace made by Conant—Conant’s Settlement at Salem—The Dorchester Company—Endicott sent out by it to Massachusetts—Arrival of Winthrop with 800 Emigrants—Foundation of Boston and other Towns—Roger Williams expelled from Salem—His Settlement in Rhode Island, and Foundation of Providence—Visit of Indian Chief from Connecticut to Boston—Emigration to Connecticut—John Winthrop appointed Governor—Tearing down of Dutch Arms, and Foundation of Saybrook Fort—Hooker’s Emigration to Connecticut, and Foundation of Bradford—Troubles ahead—Discovery of the Hudson—Fight with Indians—Discovery of Hudson’s Bay and Death of Hudson—Foundation of New Netherland Company—Dutch Explorations in Delaware, etc.—West India Company founded—Settlement of Walloons at Albany—Foundation of New York—The Swedes on the Delaware—Disputes between them and the Dutch, and between the Dutch and the English.

CHAPTER VI.

Champlain in Maine—Foundation of Quebec—Discovery of Lakes Peter and Champlain—Foundation of Montreal—First Navigation of the Ottawa—Discovery of Lakes Huron and Nipissing—An Iroquois Execution—Canada taken by the English, and restored to the French—Death of Champlain—Fathers Brébœuf and Daniel on Lake Huron—Raymbault and Pigart on Lake Nipissing—Jogues among the Iroquois—His Murder—Capture, Conversion, and Execution of one of his Murderers—Terrible Iroquois War—Father Dreuillette among the Sioux—His Death in the Forest—Allouez on Lake Superior—Rumors of a great River on the West—Marquette discovers the Mississippi—Descent of the River in native Canoes—Arrival in Arkansas—Saved by the Pipe of Peace—Up the Mississippi to the Illinois—Across North-eastern Illinois—Death of Marquette on the shores of Lake Michigan—Expedition of La Salle—Loss of the Griffin—Building of a new Vessel—Discovery of Lake Peoria—Down the Mississippi to the Sea—Second Expedition of La Salle—Fruitless Search for the Mouth of the Mississippi—Wanderings in Texas and New Mexico—Despair—Attempt to walk back to Canada—Murder in the Jungle—Murder of the Murderers—The Coureurs de bois in the North-west—Baron La Hontan’s Trip down the Mississippi—Rumors of the Sea on the West—Journey of Father Charlevoix.

CHAPTER VII.

Expedition of Diego de Hurtado—Ulloa’s Trip up the Gulf of California—Da Nizza in Arizona—The Cities of the Plain—Murder of Dorantes and his Companions—Da Nizza visits Cibola in Disguise—Expedition of Alarchon and Coronado—Discovery of the Mouth of the Colorado—Cibola taken by Coronado—Discovery of the Town of Quivira—Discovery of Cape Mendocino by Cabrillo—Viscaino’s Trip up the North-west Coast—Numerous Deaths from Scurvy—Discovery of the Mouth of the Columbia—Death of Viscaino—Expedition of Juan de Fuca—Supposed Discovery of Queen Charlotte’s Sound—De Fonte and Barnardo in the North-western Archipelago—Father Kino among the Picture-Writers and Sun Worshipers—Discovery of the Mimbres—Establishment of a Mission on the Gila—Descent of the Apaches on the Settlements of the Whites—Expulsion of the Jesuits, and Murder of Natives—Pearl-fishers on the Californian Coast—The Jesuits expelled from Lower California—Exodus of Jesuits from Lower to Northern California—First Colony founded at San Diego—Discovery of the Bay of San Francisco—Decline of the Power of the Jesuits, and their gradual Withdrawal from California.

CHAPTER VIII.

Murder of Captains Stone and Oldham—Massacre on Block Island—Intervention of Roger Williams—The Last Stand of the Pequods—Emigration of Eaton and Davenport to Connecticut—Foundation of New Haven—First Settlement of Refugees in Carolina—Their Lands given to eight Noblemen—Arrival of Cavaliers and Planters—Misery of the Colonists—Relief at last—Oglethorpe’s first Settlement in Georgia—His Meeting with the Indian Chiefs—Pennsylvania granted to Penn—His Reception in Delaware—His Voyage up the River—Treaty with the Indians—Foundation of Philadelphia—Rapid Growth of Pennsylvania—Foundation of Harrisburg—The French and Indian War—Foundation of Pittsburg—The War of Independence—Freedom won for the Thirteen Original States of the Union—Declaration of Independence on the 4th July, 1776.

CHAPTER IX.

D’Iberville’s Arrival at the Mouth of the Mississippi—Foundation of the first French Fort on the Bay of Biloxi—English Expedition to the Mississippi—The Mississippi Scheme—Foundation of New Orleans—Bursting of the Bubble—Louisiana ceded to England—Boone’s first Trip to Kentucky—Taken Prisoner by the Indians—Escape—Meeting with his Brother—Murder of Squire Boone’s Servant—A White Man’s Skeleton found in the Woods—Hunters on the Ohio and in Tennessee—First Settlers start for Kentucky—An Indian Ambush—Retreat—Boone in Despair—Fresh Hope—Boone’s Third Trip at the Head of a Surveying Party—Purchase of Lands from the Cherokees—Foundation of Boonesborough—Influx of Emigrants across the Alleghanies—First Settlement of Tennessee, Ohio, Illinois, and the South of Michigan—The English supplant the French in Louisiana—Restriction of the Name of Louisiana to a small Tract—First English Settlements in Mississippi and Alabama—Acquisition of Florida—First Spanish and English Settlements in Texas—Acquisition of California, Arizona, and New Mexico—Gradual Retreat of the Red Men before the White Settlers.

CHAPTER X.

The new-born Republic—Pike’s Embarkation on the Mississippi at Fort Louis—Sledge Journey along the Banks of the Mississippi—A Chippeway Encampment—A Native Pictorial Record—A Member of the North-west Company—On Snow-shoes to Leech and Red Cedar Lakes—A Council of Chippeway Warriors—Back to St. Louis—New Expedition organized—The Osage Captives—Along the Arkansas—Arrival at the Head-waters of the Mississippi—Search for the Red River of the South—The Rio del Norte mistaken for it—The Explorers taken Prisoners by the Spaniards—Journey across Texas to Natchitoches—Lewis and Clarke embark on the Missouri at St. Louis—The Mouth of the Platte, or Nebraska—Among the Sioux—Difficulty with Indians at the Great Bend—The Mouth of the Yellowstone River—Encounters with White and Brown Bears—The two Forks of the Missouri—Long Hesitation as to which to follow—Lewis solves the Problem by the Discovery of the Great Falls—Terrible Storm, and Narrow Escape of Clarke—The Gates of the Rocky Mountains—Across the Mountains and Discovery of the Source of the Missouri—Search for Shoshones—Three Indian Women surprised—In the Shoshone Camp—Vain Attempt to reach the Source of the Columbia—On the Summit of the Rocky Mountain Range—Down the Pacific Slope to the lower Course of the Columbia—Construction of Canoes—Down the Columbia to the Great Falls—Successful Navigation of them—In the Great Narrows—The Sea at last—Winter among the Flatheads—Home again.

CHAPTER XI.

Discovery of Behring Straits—Cook and Meares—Rescue from Starvation—Encounter with Natives—Vancouver on the Western Coast—Gray’s supposed Discovery of the Columbia—Coxe’s Survey of Hudson’s Bay—James in Distress in Hudson’s Bay—Foundation of the Hudson’s Bay Company—Discovery of Rupert’s River—Disputes with the French—Knight’s Voyage and his terrible Fate—Discovery of Relics of Knight and his Comrades—Moore and Smith in Hudson’s Bay—Cession of Canada to England, and its Results—Heroes of the Transition Time—Hearne’s Discovery of Athabasca Lake and the Coppermine River—Massacre of Esquimaux—Discovery of the Arctic Ocean—Result to Geographical Science of that Discovery—Hearne’s Return to Hudson’s Bay—The Indian Exile wrestled for—Enthusiasm of the Company—The Rise of the North-west Company—Mackenzie’s Journey to the Slave Lake, and Discovery of the Slave, Athabasca, or Mackenzie River—His Voyage to Great Bear Lake—Return to Fort ♦Chipewyan—Journey across Country to the North Pacific—The Work of all Explorers united by his last Trip.

CHAPTER XII.

The Pacific Fur Company—Voyage of the Tonquin—Foundation of Astoria—Massacre on the Tonquin—Terrible Revenge—The great Small-pox Chief—Start of the Land Expedition—An Ambush—Unexpected Rescue—Treachery of an Interpreter—Among the Crow Indians—The Black Mountains—The invisible Lords of the Mountain—Arrival on the Banks of the Mad River—Across Country to the Henry River—Construction of Canoes—Embarkation on the Henry—A Canadian drowned—The Lion Caldron—Across Country again—Among the Akai-chies—News of the Astorians—Threatened Attack of the Natives—Arrival on the Banks of the Columbia—Along the River to Indian Encampment—News of Tragedy on the Tonquin—Down the Columbia to Astoria.

CHAPTER XIII.

Cass’s Voyage up the Mississippi—Long and James on the Platte, or Nebraska—Discovery of the two Sources of the Platte—Among the Mountain Passes—Eating of poisonous Berries—Meeting with a Bear—Ascent of Pike’s Peak—Search for Head-waters of the Arkansas—The Canadian taken for the Arkansas, and followed to its Junction with the latter River—Start of new Expedition from the Ohio—Cannibalism among the Natives—The Apostle of the Indians—Across the Prairies to Lake Michigan—Through Illinois to the Mississippi—Up the Mississippi to the Minnesota—The Head-waters of the Minnesota—The primal Home of the Red River of the North, the St. Lawrence, etc.—Up the Red River to Lake Winnipeg—From Lake Winnipeg to the Lake of the Woods, and thence across Country to Lake Superior—Schoolcraft’s Ascent of the Mississippi, and Discovery of its actual Source.

CHAPTER XIV.

Wilkes’ Survey of the Western Coast—Fremont’s Ascent of the Kansas—Encounter with Arapaho Warriors—Arrival at Fort Laramie—A threatening Letter—Fremont’s Reply—On the Sweet Water River—Discovery of Mountain Lake and Fremont’s Peak—A winged Messenger—Back to Fort Laramie—To the Rocky Mountains again—On the Banks of the Bear River—Discovery of the Great Salt Lake—Embarkation on the Lake—Sudden Change in the Character of its Waters—From the Salt Lake through the Great Basin to Fort Hall and thence to the Columbia River—Attempt to return Home by a New Route—Lost in the Wilderness—Discovery of Lake Tlamath—Search for an Opening in the Mountains—Discovery of Pyramid Lake—Meeting with Snake Indians—Hunger—Salmon discovered in a River flowing into the Lake—News of White Men on the South—All Hope of reaching United States abandoned—Fremont resolves to cross the Sierra Nevada—First Peak scaled—Meeting with Indians—A Gap in the Mountains discovered at last—Ascent of the Californian Mountain—Opening a Path through the Snow—A terrible Prophecy—Flight of Guide—First Sight of Seaboard Range of Mountains—Intense Excitement—Down the Eastern Slopes of the Californian Mountain to the Banks of the Sacramento—Arrival at Sutter’s Fort—Back to St. Louis by way of the South Pass—Fremont’s third and last Journey.

CHAPTER XV.

Early History of the Mormons—Murder of Smith—Expulsion from Illinois—Across the frozen Mississippi—Through the Wilderness—Summons to the War—Young Men sent to the Aid of the Republic—Arrival on the Shores of the Great Salt Lake—Building of Salt Lake City—Expedition of Stansbury—California ceded to the States—Discovery of Gold near Sutter’s Fort—World-wide Excitement—Rush of 30,000 Emigrants Westward—Terror of Indians at Approach of the White Men—Sufferings in the Mountains—Jealousy of Settlers—Prairies set on Fire—Survivors of the 30,000 rescued by White Men from California.

CHAPTER XVI.

Cozens’ Start from Merilla—First Encounter with Apaches, and Murder of Laws—A Bear Hunt—To the Ruins of Le Gran ♦Quivera—Two Mules stolen—Back again to Merilla—Cozens and Cochise, an Apache Chief—Cochise offers to act as Guide to the Encampment of his Warriors—The great Mirage known as Greenhorn’s Lake—A Chaos of Rocks and Precipices—Following an Indian Trail—Down the Ravine to the Apache Valley—First Sight of Apache Village with Huts built on truncated Mounds—Excitement among the Apaches—Cochise explains Cozens’ Presence—Eager Welcome—Arrival of Magnus Colorado, the great Scalper—Trying Interview between Magnus and Cozens—Eternal Friendship sworn—A blood-stained Baby’s Frock—Scalp Dance and its attendant Horrors—Back again to Mexico—Second and third Trips to the North—With Jim Davis the Emigrant’s Friend, to the Navajoe Country—Ascent of the Sierra Madre—Encounter with a Panther—In the Zuni Valley among the blue-eyed Indians—Ruins of Zuni—Encounter with Navajoes—Jim Davis’s Story—Re-capture of stolen Cattle—A fall of Three Hundred Feet—Marvelous Preservation of Cozens—Nursed by the Zunis—Murder of Stewart’s Family by Apaches—Escape of Stewart to Zuni—His Death of a broken Heart—Return of Cozens to Mexico.

CHAPTER XVII.

Crisis in British America—Consolidation of its various Parts into one great Colony—Decay of the Hudson’s Bay Company—Establishment of an International Boundary Line—Journey of Palliser—Admission of British Columbia to the Dominion, and Conditions of that Admission—Surveys for Railway—Fleming’s Expeditions—Dispute between the British Government and the United States—Joint-Commission sent out to determine the Boundary Line—Results obtained by it.

HEROES OF AMERICAN DISCOVERY.