Magellan himself was killed on one of the islands, but his companions kept on to Spain round the Cape of Good Hope. Thus men had at last sailed round the world. After this there was no longer any doubt that the world was a globe.

11. The Conquest of Mexico. The Spaniards, as they pushed their explorations about the Gulf of Mexico, were always on the lookout for gold and silver, and they expected to come upon great cities and powerful kings. It is but a short distance from the western extremity of the island of Cuba to Yucatan upon the mainland. The first Spaniards who crossed the channel brought back word that they had found men dressed better than those on the islands, and living in buildings made of stone and mortar, and in every way more civilized. Cortez. The governor of Cuba thereupon sent an exploring expedition under command of his secretary, Hernando Cortez, who sailed along the coast until he came to a 1518. favorable point, where he established a fortified camp, and named the place Vera Cruz. From this point he marched his army, less than five hundred in number, into the heart of Mexico. Sometimes he made friends of the natives; sometimes he fought them. He got possession finally of the most important chieftain, Montezuma, and, after a short period, Mexico, with its rich mines, became a Spanish province.

Pizarro. Another Spaniard, Pizarro, conquered Peru, and all the western coast of South America, as well as Central America, came under the control of Spain. A great many Spaniards came over to America to make their fortunes in these countries.1

12. Discovery of the Mississippi by De Soto. Meanwhile the attempt to get control of that part of the country bordering on the Gulf of Mexico now occupied by our Southern States was less successful. Fernando de Soto, a companion of Pizarro, determined to conquer Florida, as all this country was then

1 Prescott's two books, The Conquest of Mexico and The Conquest of Peru, give brilliant accounts of the Spanish occupation. A novel, The Fair God, by General Lew Wallace, author of Ben Hur, states the traditions of Mexico under Montezuma. One of Henty's stories, also, By Right of Conquest, is based on Cortez's expedition.

called, and set out with a great expedition. The march was a continual fight with savage tribes, and the army dwindled away, but De Soto pushed on until he came to a point 1541. not far from where the city of Memphis now stands; there he saw the great river Mississippi, which lay across his path.

But nothing came at the time of this discovery. De Soto died and was buried in the river; the gaunt, famished remnant of his party straggled back to the coast.1 A later expedition headed by Coronado,2 has a special interest for Americans to-day, because it penetrated what is now New Mexico and Arizona; and the chronicle gives an account of the Grand Cañon of the Colorado River, and of the strange cliff dwellings of the Zuñi and Moqui Indians, half-civilized tribes that have remained with little change in the same region to this day.3

13. The Spaniards and the Native Americans. The Spaniards thus had slight hold on the country which now forms our Gulf States, though they had made one small settlement in Florida, of which the only remaining sign is St. Augustine; 1565. but they were securely established in Mexico, Central America, the western part of South America, as well as in Cuba and other islands. By the force of a superior race, a comparatively small number of Europeans kept under their dominion the natives of these regions. The Indians submitted to the Spaniards, obeyed their laws, and adopted their religion. They tilled the ground, herded cattle, and worked in the mines. They were not slaves in name, and many laws were made to prevent them from being sold into slavery; nevertheless they were in one form or other bound in service.

1 See "The Death of De Soto, from the Narrative of a Gentleman of Elvas, in Old South Leaflets, No. 36.

2 See Coronado's Journey to New Mexico and the Great Plains, 1540–42, No. 13 of American History Leaflets.

3 A lively account of these Indians was written by Mr. Cushing, who lived long with them. It may be found in The Century Magazine for December, 1882, February and May, 1883.

Arms.

Gradually the Spaniards intermarried with the Indians, and the present race in Mexico, Central America, and South America is largely a mixed race. To-day, though Spain has lost all her posses

Spanish Coat-of- sions in the Western Continent, the Spanish language may be heard from the northern part of Mexico to the southern extremity of South America; and Spanish customs and laws, as well as the religion of Spain, mark the hold which Spain once held in the Western world.

QUESTIONS.

What was the birthplace of Columbus? What was his occupation after he left school? What did he and others of that time think of the shape and size of the world? How did Columbus propose to reach Asia? How far off did he think Asia to be by water? What book gave the fullest account of Asia in early times? What two ways of going to

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India by water were possible? What nation took the lead in the route round Africa? Name the great Portuguese promoter of exploration. Who finally rounded the Cape of Good Hope? Whom did Columbus seek to interest in his plan? What trick was played upon Columbus in Portugal, and how did it turn out? Tell the story of Columbus after he left Portugal. Who were the best friends of Columbus? What were the terms of the contract between Ferdinand and Isabella and Columbus ? How did Columbus intend to use the wealth he should gain? Describe the fleet of which Columbus was admiral. When did it sail, and where did it direct its course? Point out on the map the location of the Sargasso Sea. What signs of land were seen? How did Columbus encourage his men? Describe the discovery of land, and the ceremony of taking possession. Describe his reception on his return to Spain. How many voyages did Columbus make? Did he see the mainland of America? What is the story connected with the naming of the New World? What was the Line of Demarcation? What is the origin of the name Florida? Relate the story of Balboa. When was the first voyage round

the world made? Who first of Europeans saw the Mississippi River, and at what point? What is left to Spain of her American possessions?

SEARCH QUESTIONS.

What is the meaning of the name Mediterranean Sea? What great empire once controlled it wholly ? What is now the great Mediterranean of the world? Columbus thought it four thousand miles from the western coast of Europe to the eastern coast of Asia; if there had been no American continent in the way, how far would it have been, sailing due west from Palos? Is the Holy Sepulcher still in the hands of Mohammedans? Mention some of the places and geographical points in America which owe their name to Columbus. Columbus looked for an opening in the Isthmus of Panama that he might push on to China and India; how does the modern world hope to accomplish the same purpose?

SUGGESTIONS FOR LITERARY TREATMENT.

COMPOSITIONS:

Boyhood days of Columbus.

Influences that led Columbus to make his voyage.

An imaginary letter from the sailor on the lookout.

DEBATES:

Resolved, That Columbus was justified in deceiving his companions. Resolved, That this continent should be called Columbia.