orts up the West Coast of South America
and takes Possession of New Albion (California) for
England . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133

CHAPTER VII

1728-1779

CAPTAIN COOK IN AMERICA

The English Navigator sent Two Hundred Years later to find
the New Albion of Drake's Discoveries--He misses both
the Straits of Fuca and the Mouth of the Columbia, but
anchors at Nootka, the Rendezvous of Future
Traders--No Northeast Passage found through Alaska--The True
Cause of Cook's Murder in Hawaii told by Ledyard--Russia
becomes Jealous of his Explorations . . . . . . . . . . . 172

CHAPTER VIII

1785-1792

ROBERT GRAY, THE AMERICAN DISCOVERER OF THE COLUMBIA

Boston Merchants, inspired by Cook's Voyages, outfit Two
Vessels under Kendrick and Gray for Discovery and Trade
on the Pacific--Adventures of the First Ship to carry the
American Flag around the World--Gray attacked by
Indians at Tillamook Bay--His Discovery of the
Columbia River on the Second Voyage--Fort Defence and the
First American Ship built on the Pacific . . . . . . . . . 210

CHAPTER IX

1778-1790

JOHN LEDYARD, THE FORERUNNER OF LEWIS AND CLARK

A New England Ne'er-do-well, turned from the Door of Rich
Relatives, joins Cook's Expedition to America--Adventure
among the Russians of Oonalaska--Useless Endeavor
to interest New England Merchants in Fur Trade--A
Soldier of Fortune in Paris, he meets Jefferson and Paul
Jones and outlines Exploration of Western America--Succeeds
in crossing Siberia alone on the Way to America, but
is thwarted by Russian Fur Traders . . . . . . . . . . . . 242

CHAPTER X

1779-1794

GEORGE VANCOUVER, LAST OF PACIFIC COAST EXPLORERS

Activities of Americans, Spanish, and Russians on the West Coast
of America arouse England--Vancouver is sent out
ostensibly to settle the Quarrel between Fur Traders and
Spanish Governors at Nootka--Incidentally, he is to complete
the Exploration of America's West Coast and take Possession
for England of Unclaimed Territory--The Myth of a
Northeast Passage dispelled Forever . . . . . . . . . . . 263

PART III

EXPLORATION GIVES PLACE TO FUR TRADE--THE EXPLOITATION
OF THE PACIFIC COAST UNDER THE RUSSIAN AMERICAN
FUR COMPANY, AND THE RENOWNED LEADER BARANOF

CHAPTER XI

1579-1867

THE RUSSIAN AMERICAN FUR COMPANY

The Pursuit of the Sable leads Cossacks across Siberia; of the
S