traordinary man cannot be
gainsaid, and the plan, so far in advance of his age, which he conceived
and carried through to success, forms one of the most interesting
experiments in colonization ever attempted anywhere.

* * * * *

This, then, is the story in briefest outline of the men who discovered
America and who fought for a foothold on her borders. Most of them, it
will be noted, undertook the struggle not for commercial ends nor from
the love of adventure, but in order to establish for themselves a home
where they would be free in matters of the spirit. The traces of that
purpose may be found on almost every page of American history and do
much to render it the inspiring thing it is. We shall see how many of
the great men who loom large in these pages traced their descent from
those hardy pioneers for whom no sacrifice seemed too great provided it
secured for them

"Freedom to worship God."

SUMMARY

COLUMBUS, CHRISTOPHER. Born at Genoa, Italy, probably in 1446; removed
to Portugal about 1473; laid plan to reach the Indies before John II.
of Portugal, 1484; appeared at court of Ferdinand and Isabella, 1485;
Spanish monarchs agreed to his demands, April 17, 1492; sailed from
Palos, August 3, 1492; discovered West Indies, October 12, 1492;
returned to Palos, March 15, 1493; embarked on second voyage with 17
vessels and 1,500 men, September 25, 1493; discovered Dominica, Porto
Rico, Jamaica, and returned to Spain, March, 1496; started on third
voyage, May 30, 1498; discovered Trinidad and the mouth of the Orinoco;
recalled to Santo Domingo by disorders and finally arrested and sent
back to Spain in chains, October, 1500; released and started on fourth
voyage in March, 1502; discovered Honduras, but was wrecked on Jamaica,
and reached Spain again after terrible sufferings, November 7, 1504;
passed his remaining days in poverty and died at Valladolid, May 20,
1506.

CABOT, JOHN. Born at Genoa, date unknown; became citizen of Venice,
1476; removed to Bristol, England, and in 1495 secured from Henry VII. a
patent for the discovery, at his own expense, of unknown lands in the
eastern, western, or northern seas; sailed from Bristol, May, 1497;
discovered coast of Newfoundland and returned to England in August,
1497; date of death unknown.

CABOT, SEBASTIAN. Son of John Cabot, born probably at Venice, 1477;
accompanied his father's expedition, 1497; commanded an English
ex