This Country of Ours

Vespucci gave his name to the great double continent, but it was another

n, however, he left his own land he did not

t great voyage of Columbus was brought there. Soon every one was talki

mbus had done. To find that way never known before, and by sailing west to reach the east "where the spices grow"

gal - gave him leave to sail forth to "the seas of the east and west and north" and to plant the banner of England upon any islands, countries or regions belonging to heathens or infidels which he might discover. He bade his "well-beloved John Ca

ailor find money enough

ut he did not let the King forget. And at length close-fisted Henry listened to "the bus

n, sailed out from Bristol harbour. Many people came to see the vessel sail. For they were nearly all Bristol men

ing and people had to do. So the tiny whitesailed ship put out to sea, followed by the prayers and wishes of those left behind. Wi

ts green shores faded from sight and the little company o

ever westward

istance, Beyond

Those were days of anxiety and gloom. But still the hope of the golden west lur

rica. He called the land Prima Tierra Vista or First Land Seen, and because of

somewhere on the coast of Labrador. But wherever it was that he landed he there set

n the land of gold and spices. Now he knew himself mistaken. He did not see any natives, but he knew the land wa

found seemed to him fair and fertile, and the quantities of fish which swarmed in the seas amazed both himself and his men. They had no ne

n have stayed longer and explored further, but he feared lest his

t the folk of Bristol would hardly have believed him (for he was a poor man and a foreigner) had not his crew of honest Bristol men vouched for the truth of all he said. Every one was delighted. Even t

s now called the Great Admiral, and much honour was paid to him. Every one was eager to talk with him, eager to go with him on his next voyage: and that even although they k

f ?20 a year. It seems likely that the following year he set out again a

life, where he lies takin

sod unknown, Without a

antic, the first to plant the flag of England upon the Continent of North America,

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