but Columbus kept these figures to himself. The sailors would have been alarmed and distressed if they had known the distance.

water.

"Have courage," he said. "Land is not far

away. We may see it very soon, now."

At last, one night, they saw a light far ahead. "Land! land!" they cried. But the light soon vanished, and every one but Columbus gave up to despair.

Early in the morning, however, the cry was again

heard, "Land! land! land!" And straight ahead of them, the sailors saw a green and pleasant shore faintly visible in the gray light of dawn.

The men were wild with joy. They thanked Columbus for guiding them to this safe but unknown land. They begged his forgiveness for all the harsh things they had said against him.

"Is the earth really round? Is this the Far East? Is this a part of India?" they asked.

Columbus answered, "I firmly believe so; and I think that I have now proved that the earth is round."

Then, arrayed in rich garments like a king or conqueror, he went on shore. There he unfurled the flag of Spain and declared that he took possession of this island and of all the lands and seas around it in the name of the king and queen of Spain.

This happened on the twelfth day of October in the year 1492. The island which was thus discovered was a part of the great new world of America.

EXPRESSION: Read about the departure of Columbus; the coming of his friend, Santangel; the return to the queen. Read again the description of the voyage: (1) The departure from Palos; (2) the ocean; (3) the landing.

Repeat the questions and the cries of the sailors.
Pronounce correctly: Pä'los, Ca na'ry, A měr'i ca.

There was once a king of England who was called William the Conqueror, and he had three sons.

One day King William was very sad. He seemed to be in deep thought about something which troubled him. The wise men who were about him noticed this, and asked him what was the matter.

"I am thinking of what my sons may do after I am dead," he said. "For unless they are wise and brave they cannot keep the kingdom which I will leave to them. Indeed, I do not yet know which one of them ought to be the king when I am gone."

"O king!" said the wise men, "if you will only tell us what things your sons admire the most, we can then advise you; for we shall know what kind of men they will be."

The king answered: "All my life has been spent in fighting and in ruling, and I have had no time to spend with my sons. I cannot tell what they admire."

"Perhaps we can find out by asking them," said

the wise men. "Perhaps we may in that way be able to know which of them will be the best fitted to rule

in your place."

"That is a good thought," said the king. "Let the boys be brought in, and then ask them anything you please."

The wise men talked together for a little while; then they agreed that the young princes should be brought in, one at a time, and that the same question should be put to each.

The first who came in was Robert, the eldest. He was a tall, willful lad, and had been nicknamed "Short Stocking."

"Fair sir," said one of the men, answer me this question: If, instead of being a boy, it had pleased God that you should be a bird, what kind of bird would you rather be?"

"A hawk," answered Robert. "I would rather be a hawk."

"Why?"

"Because no other bird is so much like a bold knight, so proud, so daring, and so fond of adventure."

The next who came in was young William, his father's namesake and favorite. His face was jolly and round, and because he had red hair he was nicknamed "Rufus," or "the Red."

"Fair sir," said the wise man, "answer me this question: If, instead of being a boy, it had pleased God that you should be a bird, what kind of bird would you rather be?"

"Why, an eagle, of course," answered William. "I would rather be an eagle."

"Why?"

"Because the eagle is both strong and brave. He

makes all the other birds fear him, and therefore he is their king and rules over them."

Lastly came the youngest brother, Henry, with quiet steps and a thoughtful look. He had been taught to read and write, and for that reason he was nicknamed "Beauclerc," or the "Handsome Scholar."