would pledge her jewels to raise the needful money.

So in the month of August, Columbus sailed away upon his voyage of
discovery, his little fleet consisting of three small vessels. For four
weeks they sailed on over the dark and stormy waters, during which time
Columbus had much trouble with his sailors, who grumbled and complained
unceasingly. When at length they found themselves alone on the vast
unknown seas, with no sign of land, they became panic-stricken, and
implored Columbus to take them home again. He reproved them for their
want of courage. Then for a little while they showed a braver spirit,
but before long they again broke out into rebellion; but Columbus was so
strong-minded and courageous that he succeeded in quelling the mutiny.

Thus days passed, until one night, in the middle of October, as Columbus
was walking on deck he suddenly saw a light ahead which told the
sea-weary mariners that the longed-for land must lie not far distant.
When at last dawn came it showed an island lying in the blue waters
before them. A boat was at once lowered, in which Columbus and a party
of his men landed upon the unknown shore. Groups of dark-skinned natives
crowded to the water side, gazing in fear and wonder at the strange
white men. Then, with the Spanish royal flag in one hand and his sword
in the other, he took possession of the island in the name of King
Ferdinand and Queen Isabella. Having visited other islands, Columbus
returned in triumph to Spain, where he was greeted as a hero.

[Illustration]

Antonio Canova

In the sunny land of Italy, in the obscure little village of Possagno
near Venice, there once lived a little lad whose name was Antonio
Canova. As he was left an orphan at three years old he dwelt with his
grandfather, who earned his living by cutting figures and ornaments out
of stone. The old man took the greatest care of his grandson and wished
to train Antonio to become a stone-cutter too, so with this end in view
the boy was taught drawing. He soon showed great talent, and when he
began to model birds and flowers in clay, he succeeded so well that his
grandfather was both astonished and delighted. Even in his ninth year he
made two beautiful marble shrines which can be seen to this day.

One day a nobleman called Giovanni Falieri, who was about to give a
large dinner party, asked old Canova to make him some ornament for the
table. He said he did not care what it was, but wanted somethi